Jaime HayEvery homeowner, no matter what meridian they live on, knows that the roof is one of the most vital parts of the house. You can luxuriously design, build and equip a house. You can have a beautiful yard, designer furniture, luxurious stairs and floors… All this brings immense pleasure when you look at your house and are proud of it, but if the key things are not done properly, then you have a big problem around the corner.
Roof, installations for electricity, water, insulation of the house on all sides, well-done foundations … this should be your biggest preoccupation when building or renovating a house. Everything else can be easily repaired, tidied up, beautified, designed and changed, but if what ensures the basic functioning of your house is not well done, then you can find yourself in serious trouble.
It is known that a well-constructed, built and insulated roof is one of the most important items of solid and reliable house construction. Surprises in the form of leaks due to heavy rain, melting snow, stains on the ceiling and walls, or placing bins in homes, these are experiences that everyone dreads.
During the construction and works on the roof insulation or during the renovation, with the best will and intention, mistakes are possible. Although everything seems ideal while the weather is dry, the first shower or snow can bring us enormous damage and subsequent troubles and worries.
1. Unskilled contractor
The contractor you hire must be experienced professionals. They should have a certificate of expertise, a permit to perform such work, and, of course, all the necessary tools. They also need to have recommendations. It is not even necessary for these to be some official recommendations, if your relative, neighbor or friend had experience with them and recommended them, that could be quite enough.
They have to instill confidence in you, that these are people who know what they are doing, and you have to tell them your wishes and demands. It is understood that the professional part, regarding the construction, possible replacement of worn-out elements and waterproofing, is solved by the person who was trained for it.
2. Inadequate weather conditions
Roofing work, of any kind, requires dry and relatively warm weather, so that the end result is good. Before you start, think about the period of the year with the least rainfall, unless the matter is urgent, so it is impossible to plan much. The prognosis should definitely be followed, because when the tiles, slabs, or whatever on the roof are removed, if rainy days start to subside, then unwanted situations arise.
Not only is it possible to drain and soak directly, but interventions in the form of various spreads and materials can be ruined and become useless. Also, too much sun is also not good for this type of work. Expect the team working for you to take this potentially dangerous situation seriously and responsibly.
3. Poor roof preparation
Going to the roof means dealing with various types of deposits that have formed there over the years. Moss, leaves, various types of waste caused by the wind, bird dirt and much more. In order for the works to start, it is necessary to thoroughly and thoroughly clean, remove damaged and cracked parts.
These can be roof beams, and they can be tiles or slabs. So, the planned coatings of silicone, tar, tar paper, protections and new elements, should not be put before bringing the substrate in the best possible condition. Don’t believe the stories that a little cleaning is enough and that everything will be fine. It can cost you re-work, extra money and time.
4. Material
No matter what type of roof and intervention on it, you must be sure that the material used will be adequate. Not only will the species be properly selected, but it will also be marketed without savings, in the right proportions. For example, silicone is a material suitable for waterproofing, although some dispute it. They believe that it is not a good enough insulator and that its durability is limited. If it has already been decided to use, it must be poured in an ideal layer.
Too thin a layer is bad, as well as too thick. The possibility of tearing, drilling, leaking is very certain, if you save on silicone. And if the layer is too thick, it is possible to form bubbles, merge, uneven layers, which leads to insufficient drying of the material. Proper application of all materials should be the basic skill and knowledge of the team you have hired. And roof experts from Rooflock suggest that you should use tape to be sure you have 100% waterproof roof after coating.
5. Time
Every job, especially construction, requires a certain amount of time. Not only while working, but also in order to position everything correctly, the liquid materials dried well and all the elements lay in the place that belongs to them. So, no rush is recommended. Of course, everyone wants the work to be completed as soon as possible, but even in ideal weather conditions, it is necessary to go step by step and allow the materials to pass the stages of drying and hardening. This way it will show its best properties and guarantee you a safe roof, which does not leak.
6. Warranty
Regardless of the observance of all rules, serious approach and hard work, however, at the end of the work, request a written and certified guarantee. Even a superbly finished roof has a dose of uncertainty, which can be eliminated only through experience. So, the first rain or, even better, snow, are the only real indicators of how your roof is arranged.
Conclusion
Study each of these recommendations well and try to apply them. It is also necessary to design your budget according to this investment, because roofing work should not involve savings and lack of money. If anything requires maximum investment, it is the roof.
This investment will pay off many times over because it will save your house from leaks, your installations will be preserved and correct, and your safety and peace are a special invaluable category. There is nothing more beautiful for a man than when he feels beautiful, calm, safe and protected in his home, surrounded by his family, in every season and in every weather.
