Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Your roof serves many important functions, from keeping your heat in to keeping water out. However, maintaining your roof isn't always easy. Doing regular maintenance on the roof of your Ayer home can prolong its life and reduce the need for expensive repairs.
One of the top roofing contractors in your area can help alleviate any concerns you might have. Whether your roof needs repairs, a replacement, or just a bit of cleaning, one of Ayer's top roofers can help.
Free inspections
Quality customer service
Transparent project updates
Services Offered
Customer education
Free inspections
Transparent pricing
Preventive services
Quality customer service
Transparent project updates
Services Offered
Preventive services
Free inspections
Transparent pricing
Quality customer service
Transparent project updates
Award_winning
Customer education
Services Offered
Transparent pricing
Customer education
Free inspections
Quality customer service
Award_winning
Services Offered
Transparent pricing
Quality customer service
Free inspections
Preventive services
Customer education
Locally owned
Services Offered
Quality customer service
Transparent pricing
Transparent project updates
Services Offered
Free inspections
Transparent pricing
Customer education
Quality customer service
Services Offered
Award_winning
Quality customer service
Transparent pricing
Customer education
Locally owned
Services Offered
Customer education
Award_winning
Quality customer service
Free inspections
Transparent pricing
Services Offered
Free inspections
Transparent pricing
Quality customer service
Preventive services
Award_winning
Customer education
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 tackling 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 Ayer. We also highlight price differences between popular roof materials.
Installing a new roof is a large home improvement project that can cost upwards of twenty thousand dollars out of pocket. It’s crucial to do your research and find the most qualified company for the job. Here are some important considerations for selecting a roofer.
Though it likely doesn't cross homeowners' minds daily, your roof plays a key role in protecting your home. Be attentive to these common signs that your roof may need an inspection and repairs from a professional roofer.
Your roof's age and material are key factors. The most popular residential roofing material is asphalt shingles, which typically last about 20 to 25 years before requiring replacement. Schedule an inspection if your roof is approaching this age to determine if a full replacement is needed.
Leaks are a frequent sign of roof issues. Water leaking through damaged or worn shingles often leads to water stains on insulation, walls, and ceilings, or in your attic. Don't neglect even small leaks, as they can still cause mold and other issues.
Visible roof decking or sheathing under your shingles is a sign that those shingles are severely curling or losing their seal. This means it's time for replacement. Shingles should lie flat to stop water from entering your home.
Carefully examine your shingles from the ground or a safe ladder. Look for any shingles that have cracks or are missing granules. Over time, environmental factors like storms can cause surface damage. To keep your roof in good repair, you should replace any missing shingles or ones with gaps.
Metal flashing on your roof seals off valleys, chimneys, vents, and other areas where water can penetrate the roofing system. If the flashing is becoming damaged, loose, or worn down, it may leak. Promptly address any flashing issues.
If you notice your roofline showing signs of sagging or unevenness, it could signal a problem with the structure that requires further inspection by a roofer. A sagging roof deck will worsen over time if not properly supported or replaced.
The best type of roofing material for your home in Ayer will depend on a number of factors, including your budget and how often you want to do maintenance.
Asphalt is more budget-friendly, while options like metal are more expensive but last longer. You also might choose a material like wood for its environmentally friendly nature.
For smaller home improvement jobs, a contractor in Massachusetts might only require a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration. For larger projects, a company or contractor will need a Construction Supervisor License (CSL) along with HIC registration. Both are provided by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.
The contractor whom you sign a contract with must have an HIC registration; for larger jobs, the CSL might be held by someone else, for example if work is subcontracted out.
The best time of year for a roof replacement is spring or fall. If you try to schedule a project during the wintertime, cold weather in Ayer could extend the working timeline.
Your roof can absolutely impact how energy-efficient your home is. For example, a good roof helps you spend less energy heating your home during the winter months. Certain materials (such as metal) are more energy-efficient than others.
The extent of the cleaning needed, as well as the material of your roof, will decide how your contractor cleans it. Some roofs benefit from power washing, but this is not recommended for materials like asphalt tiles. "Soft washing" is done with tools like brooms and brushes, and employs chemicals like bleach and detergent.
The signs that a roofer did a good job are: the shingles are all uniform in appearance, the roof is not sagging, and the flashing and underlayment were properly installed.
