A damaged, sagging, and worn roof could signal to potential tenants that other parts of the home may be in disrepair.

The maintenance of your roof should be at the top of every landlord’s list. Over the years, a run-down, leaky, and neglected roof can cause poor ventilation and water damage, leading to other structural damage to your property.

Working with professional roofers

Severe and freezing weather conditions can be punishing on a roof. Over time, your roof shingles can begin to crack and break. Roofing professionals will inspect the gutters, seals, grout, and chimneys. They will also examine the ceilings inside your home and attic.

If there are any signs of decay or water damage, a roofer will advise you on whether or not you need a new roof. If you notice chipped or broken shingles, water stains, or leaks coming from your ceiling, it’s a sign that you need to hire a roofer to conduct an inspection. Scheduling regular inspections is ideal, especially if you live in northern climates where your roof may be prone to ice dams. Learn about proper maintenance in preventing ice dams during winter months.

What type of roofing materials are there?

Various roofing materials range from affordable, low maintenance, durable, and recyclable.

Asphalt shingles

Asphalt shingle roofing is the most common type in Canada and the United States. It’s affordable, recyclable, durable, and compatible with most weather conditions. The disadvantages are that it has a shorter life span and the color will fade under the sun.

Slate roofing

Slate materials are built from natural stone. Some pros of long-lasting slate roofing are its curb appeal, durability, fire resistance, and environmentally safe inherent qualities. The downside of slate is it can be slippery to walk on, costly, and require special installation.

Metal roofing

Metal roofing is less common but has been available for ages. It ages well, is low-maintenance, recyclable, and is energy efficient. Unfortunately, they can be double the amount of asphalt shingles or more. During heavy rainfall, they produce more noise if the attic isn’t sufficiently insulated or sound abated.

Clay roofing

Clay roofs offer a beautiful visual appeal. Roofs made of clay are standard in dry climates like California. One of the most significant benefits of clay roofing is that if installed properly, it can last for 100 years. Property owners can expect to pay significantly more for this type of roofing project than asphalt shingles.

Reviewing a professional roofing contractor’s quote

Generally, homeowners have two options when looking for roofing services: work with reputable roofing companies or independent contractors.

The contractor or company should provide you with a quote, which should resemble a breakdown of services, labor, and materials, including quantity. There should also be a separate protection plan or roof warranty. Every quote will likely have a different design layout, but if you have a detailed description of services, how many hours of labor is estimated, and pricing, including the square footage of material to be used and the price per board or item, that should be a sufficient estimate.

Here is a good example of a detailed roofer quote versus an estimate that lacks crucial information: