Ask Questions Before Hiring a Roofing Contractor
May 06, 2014
If you're planning on roofing your home sometime in the near or far future, you may want to research your options quite carefully, because this long-term investment will definitely reflect the value of your home and curb appeal.
Trust the professional, but the Correct one! How, you may ask? Well, here's a checklist from National Post to help you on the journey.
- Are they certified installers and covered under the warranty plan of the roofing product?
- Are they fully licensed in your area to perform roofing work?
- Are they adequately insured for your protection?
- Do they have a proven reputation for providing quality roofing?
- Do they treat the roof as an integrated system?
Other than this checklist, keep these tips in mind: - Roofing materials vary from the traditional three-tab or strip shingles that have been around for many years, to architectural shingles, treated cedar, composite or metal roofs.
- When deciding which product to use, try to consider the overall style and look of your house that will fit in with the neighbourhood.
- Ask your installer for locations where you can see the material actually used on a house.
- Proper attic ventilation systems allow a continuous flow of outside air through the attic. It consists of a balance between air intake (at your eaves or soffits) and air exhaust (at or near your roof ridge). Consider a minimum of at least one square foot of attic ventilation for every 200 square feet of attic space. Proper ventilation in the attic will reduce heat buildup, moisture and condensation, weather infiltration and ice dam buildup. Poor attic ventilation can ruin your insulation, destroy your shingles, and raise your energy bills.
- When installing a new roof, it's always best to remove the existing roofing materials. This reduces excess weight and gives you the opportunity to properly examine the roof deck for defects or damages. It also allows installation of waterproofing underlayment.
- Waterproofing underlayments (ice and water shield) should always be used in valleys, on ridges, at eaves and around chimneys and skylights. On low-pitch roofs, the entire roof should be covered with ice and water shield before installation of shingles. This will create a watertight seal that keeps water out at the most vulnerable areas of your roof.
- Pay attention to the manufacturer's warranty. Warranties range from 20 years to lifetime. There are two types of coverage that you should ask your contractor about: Coverage against material defects and coverage against workmanship errors. Look for warranties that cover materials and labour.
