When your roof springs a leak, you might be tempted to panic thinking you need your entire roof replaced. In most cases, leaky roofs can be repaired. The big questions you need to ask are “How do I get your roof fixed?” and “Who should I hire to make those repairs?”
Repair or Replace
Once you’ve noticed your roof is leaking, your first move should be to get in touch with a roofing professional immediately. They can assess your roof and recommend next steps. After all, it can take a while for the water to seep through your roof, attic, and into your living space. If a roof leak is fixed quickly, it rarely spells a death sentence for the roof.
The key is to catch leaks before they grow and lead to major damage. Of course, there are also ways to stop leaks before they happen. To avoid roof replacement and maximize the lifespan of your roof, it’s important to develop healthy habits surrounding your roof:
- Keep up with maintenance. Routine roof maintenance is your best defense against leaks. We usually recommend having your roof inspected by a professional once a year in either the summer or fall to make sure your roof is secure through all the changing seasons. Our roof inspectors use a thorough roof maintenance checklist which includes checking the shingles for wear, looking for leaks, cleaning the roof surface and gutters, inspecting flashings and drains, and ensuring the areas around chimneys and other areas are secure.
- Inspect after a storm. Unfortunately, there are some roof problems you can’t see coming, and storm damage is one of them. If high winds send a tree limb crashing onto your roof or a hailstorm leaves your shingles in tatters it’s important to contact your roofing professional as soon as possible. In many cases, the damage left in the wake of a storm may not be immediately visible, so it’s always a good idea to have your roof inspected after severe weather.
- Nip leaks in the bud. If you aren’t able to catch a leak before it happens, don’t panic. This can be challenging, because leaks often appear in little-used attic spaces first and may take a while to display noticeable symptoms. Make it a point to check your attic frequently for signs of leakage. Keep an eye out for telltale signs like water spots and stains, mold and mildew, and bubbling paint or wallpaper. If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact a roofing professional for a more in-depth assessment.
Finding the Right Roofer
There are a lot of people who will claim to be able to repair your roof. Some of them are professionals and some are not, making it important to choose your roofing contractor carefully. The guy down the street who owns a few tools and says, “I can do that for ya,” will probably end up doing more harm than good.
Unqualified roofers can end up making the damage to your roof worse right away or might do shoddy work which ends up failing after a few short months. Repairs made by an untrained roofer could end up costing you more if your roof ends up having to be replaced in the long run.
And of course there’s safety to think about as well. Climbing up on a roof and attempting to fix it is simply not a job for someone without the proper safety training and equipment. If an accident occurs on your property as a result of hiring an unqualified—and uninsured—roofer, then you could find yourself in hot water. Before you hire a roofing contractor, ask them some important questions:
- Are they qualified? Be sure to ask about your roofing contractors’ licenses, certifications and insurance; don’t hesitate to insist on proof to back up their answers.
- Are they experienced? You should always work with a roofer who has been in business for years and hires crew members with the right training and experience of their own.
- Are they local? Contractors build trust in their local communities because they understand the challenges faced by roofs where they live. Their customers are more than customers; they’re friends and neighbors.
- Are they specialized? Look for a company with roofs as their main focus. Hiring a professional roofer will save time, money, and ensure you get quality craftsmanship, service and attention to detail.
S & S Roofing is a 4th generation family-owned company with decades of experience across Washington state. We understand the challenges faced by roofs here. We have the skill and experience to keep your home safe and secure. Contact us today to learn more about working with S & S Roofing in Arlington, WA.
