Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Your roof provides many important protections, from keeping your cool air in to keeping water out. However, maintaining your roof isn't always easy. Doing regular maintenance on the roof of your Baltimore home can help prolong its life and save you from expensive repairs.
For any problems, big or small, there's a local roofing contractor who can help. Use our guide to connect with one of the top roofers in Baltimore.
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Free inspections
Quality customer service
Transparent project updates
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Locally owned
Quality customer service
Services Offered
Quality customer service
Customer education
Transparent pricing
Services Offered
Customer education
Transparent project updates
Quality customer service
Free inspections
Transparent pricing
Preventive services
Services Offered
Transparent project updates
Preventive services
Quality customer service
Customer education
Transparent pricing
Free inspections
Services Offered
Transparent project updates
Quality customer service
Free inspections
Services Offered
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on roofers to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
Cost planning is important when you need to tackle a project as big as replacing your roof. Below, we provide the average price range for replacing a roof on a 1,500 square foot home in Baltimore. We also highlight price differences between popular roof materials.
Installing a new roof is a big home renovation that may cost over ten thousand dollars total when finished. It's crucial to research extensively to find a highly skilled and reputable roofing company for the job. Here are some key factors to consider when picking a roofer.
You may not think about your roof daily, but it protects your home in important ways. Look out for these common signals that your roof needs to be inspected and repaired by a professional roofer.
The age and material of your roof play a big role. Asphalt shingles, the most common roofing material for homes, typically last about 20 to 25 years. If your roof is approaching or past this lifespan, have it inspected to see if complete replacement is necessary.
One of the clearest signs of a roof issue is leaking. Stains on ceilings, insulation, and walls — or in your attic — usually mean that water is seeping through damaged or worn shingles. Don't ignore small leaks, because even these can lead to mold growth and roof deterioration.
If you can see the roof deck boards underneath your shingles, it means those shingles are severely curling or losing their seal and need replacement. Shingles should lie flat to prevent water from leaking into your home.
Check your roof shingles from the ground or a steady ladder. Look for tears in the shingle surface or missing granules. Bouts of high wind can cause surface damage over time. To maintain your roof, replace any shingles that have come loose or are openly gaping.
Roof flashing creates a watertight seal around valleys, chimneys, vents, and other areas where water can leak into your home. Peeling, cracked, or deteriorated flashing can allow leaks. We recommend promptly resolving any problems with the roof flashing that come up.
If your roof sags or is uneven, it's time to call a professional roofer. These issues could indicate a structural problem. A sagging roof that's not properly supported or fixed will worsen over time.
The best type of roofing material for your home in Baltimore will depend on factors such as your budget and how often you want to do maintenance.
Metal costs more but lasts longer, while asphalt will be cheaper up front but won't last as long. Wood roofs have better insulation than many other materials, which can be very beneficial in the winter.
Usually, roofing work is considered home improvement, in which case your roofer needs to have a license from the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC). To be licensed with the MHIC, a contractor must have at least two years' work experience and hold general liability insurance.
Generally, the fall or the spring is the best time of year to have your roof replaced. Having work done in the summer or winter runs the risk of hot or cold weather getting in the way.
Your roof does impact the energy efficiency of your home. For example, in the summer a good roof helps you cool your home more efficiently. Certain roofing materials, such as metal, provide superior insulation compared to other types.
Spray foam insulation in one of the best kinds of insulation. It's longer lasting than other kinds and also seals any cracks in your roof. The disadvantage is that it's more expensive than other types of insulation.
Roof cleaning should be undertaken about once a year. You may need to clean your roof more frequently if there's a buildup of mildew, moss, leaves, or mold.
