Your roof isn’t just a feature of your property that plays a role in keeping the elements at bay; it is an integral feature of your home, and one that can cost a small fortune for a homeowner if it is neglected. For this reason, it is important to re-roof your home whenever the situation calls for it, and before you get started, it might be a good idea to keep a few considerations in mind that might affect the outcome of the project.

WHEN SHOULD YOU REROOF?

Timing is everything when it comes to re roofing. While you probably won’t want to invest in a new roof if you don’t actually need to, you should also make sure that you don’t put the job off for too long, or a small problem could quickly end up becoming a big one. Spring is usually one of the best times to conduct the necessary inspections and determine whether the roof is damaged and needs to be repaired or replaced. This is because the winter months will have passed, allowing individuals the chance to determine whether the colder seasons wreaked havoc on the roof, and the summer months ahead mean there’s a lot of time to get the job done.

INSPECTING THE ROOF

Giving your roof a thorough inspection starts off with an overall scan of the exterior surface. Start off by taking note of the areas that require the most attention, such as the laps of the roof sheets that might be rusted and have formed holes. Screws or nails that have rusted, if you notice that some of the nails/screws are missing your sheets can easily be lifted by wind. You might be looking at an issue with the structure of the roof, in which case you need to contact a professional as quickly as possible. Roof sheeting is easy to replace, but there are some types of roofs that are difficult to replace if you do not know what you are doing such as Kliplock Roofs. In the event that the roof sheets have rusted and water is coming into your home you might be forced to reroof.

FIND THE RIGHT PROFESSIONAL

It is not only important to obtain the services of a professional to get the job done, it is necessary to hire the right company for the job. Start out by writing down a list of professionals in the area, and then determine how long they’ve been in business. Look for testimonials from past clients and look for Warranties/Guarantees. Don’t just take their word for it, look to see if they produce a certificate that backs up the warranty. It’s a good idea to make contact with each of them, so that you can ask about their BSA License and memberships to various professional organizations such as HIA or Master Builders, as well as compare their quotes for the job. Remember, it’s not always best to make this decision based solely on the quotes, so keep this in mind as you select the right team for the job.

DO YOU NEED A PERMIT TO BEGIN?

No, you don’t, but you might require BSA Insurance prior to the job going ahead or you may need a special license before starting such as an Asbestos license and therefore you will also need to notify Workplace Health & Safety. The contractors should be aware of this, it is always a good idea to check up on it, just in case by contacting the relevant government departments in your area.

REROOFING CHECKLIST

Before the entire reroofing process is complete, ensure you have considered additional features of your roof. This includes repairing the chimney (which often gets damaged along with the roof), inspecting the soffit and fascia for damage, replace the guttering system (if necessary), ventilation and repair any structural damage.

Re-roofing can be both time-consuming and costly, but it is all part of maintaining a home, and those that choose to put it off will often find themselves paying through the nose for it in the long run.