No one ever expects to have to replace their roof, but it can happen to anyone. If you find yourself in this situation, it is important to know what to do. Here are some reminders for roof replacement that you need to know.

1. Place your new roof on a strong foundation.

2. Get help when you are unsure about what to do with the extra flashing material left over after tearing off the old roof.

3. Locate all of the nails on your existing roof. Doing so can save you time and money when installing your replacement roof.

4. Call at least two contractors before deciding who will be doing your roof replacement project. You want to make sure that someone doesn’t take advantage of you or promise more than they intend to deliver, which could end up costing you even more money if it requires multiple trips out to fix it either way.

5. Make sure that there aren’t any leaks in the areas where you tear off one piece of your old shingles to reveal another. This is typically the area around vents, skylights, and chimneys.

6. Get references from your contractor before signing on for any roofing project. This way you can get a clear idea of how happy other customers have been with their work.

7. Break apart a small section of the old shingles to locate all nails left within them when removing them. Doing so will ensure that no shingles are missed and that it is done thoroughly enough that there aren’t any issues later on.

8. Make sure your new roof comes with an upgraded warranty, even if it costs more than you were expecting because this will protect you long-term from unexpected problems down the road.

9. Get a written contract as to what is included in the price you are quoted. You don’t want any surprises down the line from additional charges that were not mentioned when it came time to pay for your roof replacement project.

10. Make sure your contractor thoroughly explains to you how they plan on completing the roof replacement project before starting it because this will help prevent misunderstandings and confusion later on.

11. Do your research for materials used by various contractors so that you can make an informed decision about what you choose for your roof replacement project. This way there won’t be any surprises or issues later on with quality or workmanship.

12. Make sure there is ventilation around each of the vents within your new roof, just in case you find yourself in the need of repairs later on. Otherwise, this could lead to problems with moisture getting trapped, which can cause it to get into your home.

13. Get a warranty that includes damage from wind or hail if either is common where you live. This will ensure that you do not have to pay for any unexpected issues down the road due to inclement weather conditions.

14. Have matching colors between different portions of your roof so that you don’t end up having an odd-looking house when it is finished being replaced. Because of this, make sure to discuss color choices with your contractor beforehand so there aren’t any surprises later on regarding what they plan on doing.

15. Don’t forget about ventilation when replacing shingles on your roof, especially if they are made from shingles that were used before. Otherwise, this can cause problems with moisture making its way into your home.

16. Make sure you get multiple estimates for the roof replacement project so that you can get a clear idea of what it will cost to do so before moving forward with the contractor you decide to hire. If not this could lead to issues later on when having to pay for unexpected charges.

17. Use caution if your contractor suggests using recycled materials during the process of replacing your roof because this might mean that there is something wrong with them and putting them back up would be dangerous due to their poor quality or other defects.

If you’ve been putting off getting your roof inspected, it may be time to get on top of things. Roofs can last up to 20 years or more if they are well-maintained and that includes routine inspections for leaks or other damage. At the same time, there is no mandated length of ownership before homeowners must replace their roofs. When you do need a new roof replacement though, don’t wait until after heavy rains have caused water infiltration to prevent further problems from developing. Call us now for an inspection so we can help determine what type of repairs might be needed as soon as possible.