Ruling Your Roof: Essential Management and Maintenance – Part Two: Installation Tips

In part one, we discussed some things that are integral to roofing repair and replacement. In this next section, let’s take a quick look at the considerations that come into play when building a new roof or re-roofing.

Installation plays a direct role in the resulting functionality – and quality – of your roof, which is why we encourage every homeowner to pay particular attention to this part of the roofing project. Roofing resource EverybodyNeedsARoof.com offers these tips on tackling installation, from choosing a contractor to maintaining your roof.

Choosing a Contractor

Different states have differing rules on licensing for roofers, and it is imperative that you know the rules for your state. Some require roofers to be licensed, others require only registration. What’s more, the requirements for a license or for registration also differ. If you are unsure of your state’s specific prescriptions, as well as your roofer’s legal standing, you can consult the Contractor’s License Reference Site.

In addition to your roofer’s credentials, it is also important to check his or her:

• Written proposal. Roofing proposals should include all essential details of the proposed project – from start and completion dates to payment procedures. Make sure that you understand everything in your contractor’s proposal and – more importantly – that you are amenable to each of them.
• Knowledge of building codes. The roofing industry follows four model codes, enforced on a national level. These are the International Building Code, the International Residential Code, the International Energy Conservation Code, and the International Green Construction Code. In addition to these, your state may enforce its own prescriptions. Your contractor should be knowledgeable in all technicalities involved in your roofing project.

Understanding Your Goals

Installation should be geared towards meeting your goals. A roof, after all, is not just meant to keep out the elements. Modern advances in engineering have made it easier for homeowners to combine weather protection, energy efficiency, and aesthetics into a single system.

While proper roof installation is essential, your responsibility as a homeowner extends beyond making sure that your roof is properly installed; maintenance is still important to your roof’s full functionality and you need to commit to doing reactive as well as preventive maintenance on your roof.

In the last installment of our blog series, we examine the need for maintenance, and the two types of maintenance you can do.