Your roof is quite likely the most important structural part of your home. Not only does it protect your family and belongings from the elements, but it also keeps you comfortable and safe. Keeping your roof in good shape should be one of your top goals for home maintenance. However, many Omaha homeowners have questions about how to identify if their roof is damaged, if they should consider getting a new roof, and how to choose the right company to work on their roof. The experts at A&A Roofing & Exteriors have come up with a list of tips based on their years of experience in the industry that will hopefully answer your roofing questions. If you have questions or need information that is not contained in this blog, please reach out to one of our experienced customer service reps. We’re always happy to help!
Roofing Tip #1: Have an annual inspection
Whether or not you think your roof is damaged, having an annual inspection is always a good idea. Depending on the type of damage, it can be very difficult for the average homeowner to spot issues until they become larger problems. A professional roof inspection can identify issues such as missing shingles, damaged flashing, cracking or peeling shingles, or leaks. When identified early, many roof issues can be repaired and a new roof is not necessary. The best time to have an inspection is in the spring as many roof issues occur during the blustery, icy weather of the winter.
Roofing Tip #2: Don’t wait to fix leaks
If you know you have leaks in your roof or if your annual inspection has identified leaks, don’t put off repairs. Small leaks can quickly turn into large problems if they are not treated quickly and what was once a job that could be done for a couple hundred dollars turns into a roof replacement that costs thousands. You also don’t want to run the risk of leaks suddenly getting larger and ruining items in your home or damaging other structures, all of which could lead to costly repairs or replacements.
Roofing Tip #3: Have a good idea of when you’ll need a replacement
Many homeowners don’t have a clue how long their roof shouldlast. The experts at A&A have found that the typical wood shake roof lastsaround 30 years while fiber cement shingles have an average lifespan of 20years and asphalt single or composition roofs last around 20 years. However, afew especially harsh seasons can easily reduce that lifespan and one strongstorm can turn a 30-year roof into one that needs replaced ASAP. The bottomline is, never assume your roof is okay just because it hasn’t reached itsanticipated lifespan. Get annual inspections and always have it checked outafter major storms.
Roofing Tip #4: Research your exterior company carefully
Whether you need an inspection, repairs, or replacements, make sure you do your research before choosing an exterior company to work with. The industry is notorious for ‘fly-by-night’ companies that come in after storms and take advantage of homeowners. Always make sure the company you work with is local, has years of experience in the industry, and has good ratings and references. In today’s digital world, it should be easy to see which companies are doing reliable, solid work in the Omaha area and which are simply trying to make a buck.
Roofing Tip #5: Understand that cheapest is not best
There are some things in life you can cut corners on to savemoney. A new roof is not one of them. If you are getting bids for your roof,you need to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. At A&A, we alwaysrecommend that you know what type of roof you want and why before you start lookingfor contractors. Of course, if you have worked with a professional contractorin the area before and they have earned your trust, you can simply have aconsultation with them and they can help point you in the right direction. Thebig takeaway here is that those roofing companies that offer prices much lowerthan their competitors can do so for a reason and that reason is usually areduction in quality, customer service, or both.
Need more answers to your roofing questions? Please reach out! We’d love to help.
