
Issues with your roof are hard to spot initially. No one really checks their roof that often. However, you’ll definitely start to notice once you notice water in your ceiling or your attic.
The real issue is that moisture can cause a whole host of problems, from mold and mildew to structural issues. And you should know if you need a replacement or repair - more info on that here.
If you notice any of these issues, you can call a roofing expert to come and take a look at your roof. But this isn’t as easy to do. You will have to ask some serious questions in order to find the best roofer for your home.
Here are some things that you should know before you hire a roofer.
Licensing
Most people don’t really pay attention to this, but it’s a very important element of this service. A roofer should be licensed, but all states are different, and the code varies.
This means that you will need to do some research before you can hire a roofer. If licensing is a requirement in your state, then you should work with a contractor that has the license.
Here’s more on requirements by state: https://www.next-insurance.com/blog/roofing-license-requirements/
Insurance
A roofing company should have insurance for all of its workers. They didn’t use to have this but now it’s required by the law. And even though this is so important, some companies may skimp on this. Make sure to check this out. If an employee gets hurt on your property, then you will have to pay a lot in medical bills, and this is definitely not the best situation for you.
They should also have general liability insurance so that you have coverage in case something happens to your home. For example, if during welding, something important burns.
Both of these protect you from incidents that could cost you a lot of money.

The Job
Depending on what you need and the severity of your problem, a roofer may do many things. For example, if you need a new roof installed, then a roofer should ideally remove the old roof. Some roofers practice inspecting and then if everything checks out, roofing over the old one. However, if they don’t remove the shingles, they can’t really know if everything is okay. Maybe the wood is rotten.
When they install the new roof, they should also install a drip edge which allows the water to flow away from your roof. It leads the water to the gutters, and this solves many problems that can happen due to the moisture in the past. A Portland roofing company says that even if a roofer is just fixing spots on your roof, they should be able to add the drip edge or something similar to your roof.
Whether they fix your roof, or they add a completely new one, they should be able to protect your property during the process. The method they use to get on the roof will also dictate this. For example, they should use ladder stabilizers or a similar tool that will take the weight off your gutters. Without this, your gutters can end up broken and torn.
They should also have a container for the material that is left behind, from the old roof or from the repair. Most likely, you won’t be asked to provide a container. The container needs to be placed in a convenient place, away from your driveway if possible since asphalt can crack easily under pressure.
If the weather goes bad during the repair or replacement, they need to have a system in place that can protect your home from the elements. For example, if it rains and half of your roof is off, water will get into your home.
They should ideally have some plastic sheeting or something similar to ensure that your home is safe.
For your own safety, you should know the address of the contractor - both physical and online. In case something goes wrong, you know where to go and they can come back to fix whatever you need them to fix.
Your repair or new roof should have a warranty. For example, a completely new roof should have a 25 years warranty.
Ask about the price of the materials before you go into the whole process, as some roofers will inflate the prices of the materials. You don’t want to be surprised, but rather ready and in agreement with the price.