Keeping a Home Weather Tight With A Professional Roofer

A roof is created by combining layers of wood, underlayment, flashing around vents, chimneys and skylights, then installing shingles or metal sheeting or tiles on top. An experienced roofer will be able to advise a homeowner on the best materials for their particular roof design, while taking into consideration the budget and preference toward style and the type of materials desired for the job. A roofer should be aware of the differing qualities of the various products available and have the knowledge of all eco-friendly materials manufacturers are now making available to consumers. 

While hiring a professional roofer may prove to be more costly than tackling the project on their own, a homeowner will enjoy the peace of mind that comes with having a licensed, bonded and certified professional do the work and provide a warranty and or guarantee on all labor and materials used for the job. Choosing to cut costs on such a vital part of the home's structure should never be a consideration because a roof that encounters damage, a leak or is allowing the creation of ice dams to form will eventually lead to additional structural damage in the gutters, the moisture will seep into the walls and foundation. So any money saved on the initial (attempted) repair will be lost several times over when the structure of the house is in jeopardy.

A roofer will come out to the house and evaluate the condition of the home's roof by carefully examining several structural points. He will point out any blistering or buckling of the shingles and note the condition of the gutters, facia, flashing and underlayment, and advise on any necessary work that needs to be attended to at this time.

Winter can wreak havoc on a roof with powerful winds at subzero temperatures that will cause shingles to tear or crack and pose an opportunity for ice to form along the roof line and build up, leading to buckling and the perfect scenario to form a leak. As the buildup escalates, icicles form and grow in size and weight, upwards of fifty pounds or greater. These formations can damage the roof, the gutters and facia and become a serious safety hazard for people walking beneath these mega size icicles. An experienced professional should be called in to remove them, as the process of safely dislodging the ice dam without further incident to the home or its inhabitants requires precautions to be in place prior to removal being attempted.

A roof that is in good structural shape will provide years of protection from all of the elements nature can throw at it. But a roof requires regular checkups and the occasional repair in order to do the job it is expected to at peak performance. And only a licensed, bonded and insured professional roofer with the proper training should ever be entrusted to provide that care.