How to Inspect Your Roof for Signs of Damage
Neglecting our rooftops has been relatively easy considering not many of us ever actually venture up there to take a look at them. And, depending on the climate you live in, it can actually be really dangerous to do so, for example, if you live in a climate that is perpetually rainy and has a lot of ice and snow, it can be very hazardous to climb onto the roof and you can find yourself being seriously injured. And then, if you live in a hot climate, you can find that the roof is like a sauna, baking hot, and scorching to touch, which then makes it difficult for you to inspect your roof.
For these reasons, many people ignore their rooftops, and this then leads to them falling into complete disrepair. It is important never to neglect your rooftop as you will find it is the only thing that separates us from the elements.
Find a Respectable Contractor
When you are having problems with your roof, or simply want it checked out, it is important that you find a respectable and trustworthy contractor. There are a number of untrustworthy, unscrupulous, and frankly cowboy contractors on the market, and many of them will cause irreparable damage to your home, and not only that, refuse to fix what they have damaged. That is why it is important for the health of your home that you employ a respectable contractor, and whether you need a new roof or better insulation, the best way is to hire a respectable contractor.
It can be very dangerous venturing onto your rooftop to make repairs yourself and it is not recommended. The best way, although of course expensive, will be contacting a third party, an outside agency, to do the repairs for you. Doing it yourself can be very time consuming and even more expensive, and if you are not trained, you can find that you may cause even more structural damage to your home, some that may not even be able to be fixed easily. As a man, it can be very difficult to allow another into your home to carry out repairs, but for the sake of your health, your family, and your home, it is always recommended that you hire an independent contractor, preferably one who has worked for you in the past, to carry out the job effectively, efficiently, and for a low cost.
Establish a Problem if There is One
Employing an independent contractor to come and do a survey may cost a lot of money. You may be able to cut costs by doing a survey yourself, but no actual construction work. You can go up into your attic or loft and inspect for any signs of damage or leakage or check if there are any holes or birds nesting in your roof. You can also get a ladder and go up to the roof, but not onto, and see if you can see any problems that are not evident from the ground.
By establishing if there is a problem first, you will cut down on money spent having a contractor survey and come up with a quote for your property. If you know work is absolutely mandatory, then the easiest solution would be to check it out yourself, establish what it is, and then move forward with the repairs and inform the contractor what exactly is the problem; then, when he is up there, if he finds any more problems he will be able to fix them and charge you extra, but you will save the initial survey fee.
Employ the Use of a Drone
Another way to cut the cost of a survey fee is to employ the use of a drone. You may already own one, or wish to buy or lease one, but drones can be a fantastic way for you to cut the cost of a survey or quote. A drone can be set up in your garden and you can send it up into the air to video your roof and see if you can find any potential problems in your home or errors with the structure of your house. A drone can be very expensive, so unless you already own one, you may end up paying the same price you would for a quote, for the drone. If you can borrow one or lease one, that might be easier, and then you will find that you can check what is wrong with your house for a low cost.
If you do hire a contractor make sure they are not badly reviewed and of a bad attitude. Cowboy builders have seen a rise in recent years, and they can seriously mess with your home and the structure of it.
