Roofing Company News

“It’s just a little leak.  I can fix it myself.”  This may be your first thought when you notice that your roof is leaking.  You might also notice that you need to replace some tiles or work on your gutters.  These small roofing tasks are things that may appear easy to fix, but in the long run, they may turn out to be very costly.

First of all, if you see something wrong with your roof, do not wait around to take a closer look at it or to call in a professional.  Roofing problems are serious.  In fact, they’re so serious that they can cause insurance problems if you don’t have them taken care of right away.  Some insurance companies will actually refuse to pay out if they can show that your roofing problems are caused by poor maintenance or by neglect.  You don’t want that to happen, so it’s important to stay on top of any roofing issues you notice.

Another horrible thing that could happen is that the roofing problem may be more severe than you think.  What may appear to be a loose tile or a tiny leak could actually be just one aspect of a larger problem.  You don’t want to discover that your entire attic is full of mould because what looked like a small leak was actually a big one.  You could end up with damage to items stored in your attic and with damage to your home if you don’t investigate the problem right away.

Another issue with roofing problems is when people try to fix their roofs themselves.  Often, they don’t go about it in the right away, and even though the job looks complete, they’ll find later that they either didn’t completely fix the problem or that they only made it worse.  Don’t try to do major roofing projects yourself.  You roof is the only thing protecting your home and everything in it from rain, snow, and sleet.  You want it to be professionally done so that your possessions and your family will be protected.

So the next time you think about fixing any roofing problem, even if it’s something that appears small, go ahead and call in a professional.  You may be surprised to learn just how bad the problem was and very thankful that you took the time to bring in someone who knew exactly what to look for.

If you need to replace your roof or want to make your home more ecologically friendly, you may want to go with a green roof.  No, we’re not talking about the colour of your roof here.  A green roof is a roof that is partly or completely out of a growing medium placed over a waterproof membrane.  The term can also refer to roofs that use green technology such as solar panels.  Some other types of roofs, such as those featuring container gardens or rooftop ponds, are not usually considered true green roofs.

Green roofs have several advantages over standard roofs.  For one, they allow you to grow vegetables, flowers, and other plants on the roof.  This actually helps to insulate your roof so your home will keep in the heat in winter and keep your home cooler in the summer.  This also makes your roof last longer, help reduce water runoff, and even help reduce the pollution in the air.

There are a couple different types of green roofs, including extensive, intensive, and semi-intensive.  Intensive roofs require a good amount of soil, need a lot of upkeep, and require regular irrigation.  Extensive roofs, on the other hand, are mostly self-sustaining and need only a bit of maintenance.  A semi-intensive roof is a combination of the two.

Green roofs aren’t as expensive as you might expect, but they may not be an option for your home.  Often, the structure of the home, especially older homes, isn’t strong enough to support a green roof.  In that case, your only option would be to have your home overhauled to handle the weight, and that can be very, very costly.  In the UK today, green roofs are installed in many large urban areas that don’t feature many parks or gardens.

There are a couple of disadvantages to green roofs.  As stated, some buildings can’t handle the weight of the green roof.  Also, the buildings waterproofing must be very well done because green roofs hold water in the soil.  If the roof isn’t constructed very well, water could leak down into the building.  These two disadvantages, however, are minor in comparison to the things a green roof can do.

One of the biggest investments you can make in your home is to buy a new roof for it.  However, while it can greatly increase the value of your home, putting on a new roof can be quite expensive.  You certainly want a qualified, professional roofing contractor to do the job, but how can you tell which roofing companies are experienced?  Follow these tips to find the best roofing companies in London.

1.    Make certain the contractor has an established office.  You can do this by asking for an address and phone number and then calling to confirm the location.  Professional contractors should also have their licenses and other paperwork in order and not hesitate to produce them when asked.

2.    A professional roofer should be knowledgeable about both traditional and modern roofing techniques and should have several different options for you.  He should be ready to work within your budget as best he can or to suggest alternatives that fit both your home and your pocketbook.

3.    Professional roofers should have insurance and, just like their licenses, they should be ready to show you their proof of insurance certificates.  You want to make certain that their insurance will cover the entire time they’re working on your home.  If their insurance is not in order and a contractor gets injured while working on your roof, it’s quite possible you will be found liable and have to pay for any medical bills or damages.

4.    Your contractor should give you a written proposal that details exactly what they’re going to do, how long they estimate the job will take, the total cost of the job, and how they expect you to pay.  Don’t allow them to start work with only a verbal agreement.  In fact, if your contractor doesn’t present you with a proposal in writing, you should be wary.

5.    Don’t be afraid to ask for references.  Any potential contractor should have a list of references you can contact.  Ask these references if the job came in as budgeted, if there were any delays, and their overall impression of the roofing contractor, among other things.

6.    Finally, remember that the cheapest roofing contractor isn’t always the best.  Don’t let a low price blind you to bad quality.  The old adage that says “you get what you pay for” is often true, so if your roofing company gives you a really low estimate, check with some of their references before hiring them.