What Responsibilities Do Roofers Have?
If your roof needs some work, you may have wondered if you should do it yourself, hire an independent contractor, or a contracting company. Unless you have the training of a professional roofer, or the job is very simple, you should probably not attempt to fix your roof yourself. If you hire an individual from a job board, you may want to check to see if they are licensed. A professional roofing company is the best choice because they have certain legal responsibilities to live up to.
What does the job of a roofer entail?
If your house has a roof on it, it is because a roofer put it there. They also maintain roofs as time goes on. A roofer has to be especially agile because they use hand tools while balancing on what may be a very unstable surface.
Roof Installation
When a roof is installed on an existing home, a roofer will have to remove the already existing roof. You may have heard of unethical contractors who install roofs without removing the old ones. A legitimate roof contractor will always make sure every nail is removed before installing your new roof.
Before they put in your new roof, they may put in a drip edge. A drip edge will look nice and help to prevent water damage. It may make the job take a bit longer because the edge has to be installed before the actual roof, and it has to be nailed securely to the eves of the home.
Rolling Out Underlayment
Before the roof can be installed, a roofer must put down the underlayment onto the deck. Although underlayment is not required, any roofer will tell you that it is a good idea. The underlayment will help to protect your home from bad weather. Maryland winters can be harsh, and ice dams can form on a roof without an underlayment and cause leaks.
They will also cover the roof with tar paper. This will protect the house from water and fire. After the underlayment is down, they will begin to install the roof.
Installation of Shingles
If you have ever seen a shingle roof, you know that the shingles overlap each other. You might not know that there is a layer of small starter shingles underneath the shingles that are visible. They are designed to prevent leaks from happening.
Flashing Installation
Before a roofer’s work is done, they must install a thin metal called flashing. This will keep water out of the chimney and other vulnerable areas.
A roofer should always clean off your roof when they are done. They have not completed the job until your roof is free of all their tools and debris.
Licensing Requirements
Technically, roofers are not required to have a license in the state of Maryland. However, people who work on home improvements are required to be licensed by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission.
You must have two years of experience to get an MHIC license in the Free State, and you must also carry insurance.
When do I need a roofer?
If you have a leak in your roof, you should call a roofer right away. Have your roof inspected once a year and clean it when necessary. It is also a good idea to call a roofer if you have an excessive amount of moss or if the shingles are starting to wear down.
A roofer is ultimately responsible for keeping your house safe and secure. Make sure to select one with years of experience, plenty of references, and a great track record.
