Care and Maintenance

When cleaning your gutters or inspecting your roof system, remember important ladder safety tips:

• Make sure the ladder is on solid, level ground.
• Secure the ladder at the top to prevent it from slipping.
• Inspect the ladder, rungs and rails for damage.
• Extend the ladder at least 3 feet beyond the gutter, and angle it 1 foot back from the house for every 4 feet in eave height.
• Always use both hands when climbing the ladder.

Once on the ladder, you should look for:

• Shingles that are buckling, curling or blistering; this indicates the end of the shingles’ life expectancy.
• Loose material or wear around chimneys, pipes and other penetrations.
• Excessive amounts of shingle granules in your gutters; granules give shingles added weight and protect them from ultraviolet rays.

Before you hire a roofing contractor, do your homework:

• Check for a contractor’s permanent place of business, telephone number and tax identification number.
• Check references from prior customers.
• Ask for proof of insurance (liability and workers’ compensation*).
• Ask the contractor about material and workmanship warranties.

*Note: U.S. workers’ compensation laws vary by state. Consult your state’s laws to determine workers’ compensation insurance requirements.

Use the following form to record your roof system’s checkup each fall and spring.