No homeowner wants to be facing major roof repair project. It is important to nip issues in the bud before they end up becoming big problems. Read through the following tips to learn what goes into proper roof maintenance.

Don’t hesitate when it comes to replacing worn or broken shingles. Replacing or repairing your roof as problems arise can save you a ton of money and energy in the future. Taking proper care of your roof will make it last.

You shouldn’t ever try to fix your roof if it’s rainy out, snowing, or if there’s ice around. Rain, sleet, and snow can cause you to fall, which can seriously injure or even kill you. If you want to handle roofing projects on your own, make sure to do the work when the weather is dry.

Consider the local climate in your area when replacing your roof. Clay roofs are great in dry climates and can help to keep the home cool. Clay tiles should not be used in wet climates as they will cause your roof to deteriorate much quicker than other materials would. If you aren’t sure, ask.

Mow your lawn before the contractor work on your roof. This will allow you to have an easier to find nails that may hit the ground. If you get a contractor that has a nail finder with magnets on it, it will work best with the short grass.

Be as secure as you can be when you’re up on your roof. This is important, as it is easy to lose your balance if you are not used to being on a roof, and thousands of people are injured or killed each year from falls off of a roof.

Always make sure that you’re not paying for the full amount up front if you don’t have to. You may have to pay around 25% of the amount to get the job started, but avoid paying more than that. You don’t want them to perform less work than you anticipated.

Don’t attempt to create a temporary fix your roof with short-term solutions. It may seem cost effective at the time, but in the end, and that may cost you more. The smartest thing to do is take care of any problem as quickly as you can so that nothing bad happens later on.

Before you hire a roofing contractor ask for references. Follow up on the references, calling previous clients to find out if they are satisfied with the work. Also, take some time to drive by the addresses. Swing past and take your own look.

Make sure the roofing contractor you hire has experience.Ask loved ones for recommendations if you know they have hired someone in the past. This is vital since having terrible repairs done can cost you don’t want to have a professional experience.

Insurance is something that you need to have when it comes to roof work. If the roofer you use causes damage and they are uninsured, you may end up paying that bill. Don’t just ask prospective roofing contractors if they have insurance, make them show you the documentation that proves it.

Friends, family and co-workers should be your first resource when choosing a roofing contractor. They will be able to tell you honestly about their experience with the contractor. Also, find out whether the contractor cleaned when the job was finished and whether a warranty was provided.

Make sure a roofing contractor has current, and make sure thy are current.Nearly every state requires roofers to have certain licenses; therefore, so be sure that they have the proper licensing.

The age of your roof determines whether to repair or replace it. Most roofs have a lifespan of twenty years or so before they must be replaced. If your existing roof was put directly into an older one, you must replace it after 20 years.

If you’re getting pitched to by a high pressure roofing salesman then you need to tell them you’re not interested. This type of salesman will do what they have to do to convince you that you cannot live without what they are offering. It could end up costing you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars if you do not put a stop to their pitch.

Ask your roofing contractor if they offer a warranty on the work done. Some roofers may offer better warranty options than their competitors. This will make the work that may occur at a later time.

Ask prospective roofing contractors how long they’ve been roofing. Those who’ve been working in your area for some time likely provide customer satisfaction. Anyone that is new to this could be trying to scam you for your money.

If your roofer is a few days away from attending at your home, there are temporary repairs you can undertake. Get a sheet of heavy duty plastic and cover the leaking area with it. This isn’t the best way to manage leaks, but it can help you out in a pinch.

Only hire a roofing contractor that can provide proof of active licenses and insurance.

Don’t cut corners when you are purchasing new materials for your home’s roof. The initial cost savings of low priced materials cannot outweigh the best option as they can end up costing you more money down the road.

Try to avoid paying the complete price up front. Pay a percentage of the fee in the beginning and then when the work is done. It would be horrible if they did bad work or didn’t do everything you thought they would.

Keep your roof and other debris to make it last. If you let these materials build up, it can cause water to stagnate. This can lead to shingle rot and leaks, lead to rot and cause leaks.

Make sure to ask plenty of questions are clearly answered before letting your roofing contractor begin work.The worst thing is that you do is keep a question and then it becomes a problem later on. If your potential contractor waffles on any questions, your better off working with a different one.

Sometimes a contractor with his own workers can be more cost effective than a contractor who has no workers. The more people working on the roof, the quicker the job can be completed. Just make sure that if you’re hiring just one person you don’t get charged too much in labor costs.

Make sure that you take care of your roof to keep your house robust. This will just cause problems later on down the road. Instead, use what you learned here to make sure your roof is in good shape. This can save future headaches.