A well-maintained roof protects you safe from the elements. If your roof is faulty, weather changes can result in catastrophe. Knowing how to properly care for your roof saves you money and time in time. The information below will help.

Don’t try to fix your roof in inclement weather. A wet roof could cause you to fall and seriously injure yourself. If you’re making roof repairs, make sure to do it during dry and sunny days.

Don’t check out and fix a leak until the rain stops. There is no quick fix and it’s dangerous. When it’s dry you can fix it safely and properly.

Consider your climate when thinking about roofing. Clay roofs work great in dry climates and can help to keep the home cool. Clay roof tiles in a place where it rains all the time can deteriorate quickly. If you’re not sure, ask a professional.

Make sure that you’re secured whenever you climb onto your roof.

Make sure any roofer you choose has liability insurance. If they have this kind of insurance, it is a good bet they are reliable. In addition, if they have an accident or cause serious damage to your roof, you won’t be held liable. Their insurance company will handle it.

Mow your lawn before the contractor work on your roof. This will make it easier to find any nails that may hit the ground. If your contractor brings a magnetic nail finder, short grass will make things much easier.

When you are selecting a roofer, check with family, friends and colleagues. Ask about the clean-up job that was done after work was completed and if they offer warranties are offered.

If your contractor won’t be out for a day or two, you can put a bandage on your leaking roof. Buy heavy plastic, then nail it to that spot. This isn’t the best way to handle leaks, but it makes for a good short term solution.

Make sure whatever roofing contractor you hire has liability insurance. The main thing that this will show you about a policy bodes well for a contractor’s reliability.Secondly, should something happen to your roof as they are working on it, their insurance should cover any damages.

Always be sure that you don’t pay the full amount up front if you don’t have to. You can pay about 25% to start the job, but see if you can pay only that. You would not want to find yourself on the receiving end of poor job or incomplete work.

Stay away from short-term fixes for your roof. Sure, you’ll spend less money up front. However, this often leads to worsened conditions and a hefty price. You have to make sure to fix the issue completely; that way, you avoid problems down the line.

Insurance is vital when it comes to this line of work. If the roofer you use causes damage and they are uninsured, you may end up paying that bill. Ask if the roofer has insurance in place, but contact the insurer to check that it is up to date.

A roofing team working in unison can achieve good results more quickly.

Anyone who does work such as this absolutely needs to have insurance. If you hire a roofer that is not insured, you will be financially responsible if there is any property damage. Don’t simply ask if your contractor is insured, make them show you the documentation that proves it.

A living roof is one that has soil layers where you can grow plants and flowers.

Keep your roof clear of leaves and gutters clean.When debris builds up, they can provide a holding place for water. This can damage shingles, which will cause costly leaks.

The age of your roof is a major factor in deciding whether it needs replacing. Many roofs only last for around 20 years before they need replaced. If your new roof is installed over the old one, you must replace it after 20 years.

Don’t pay in full for your roof work has started. Many shady contractors actually never return to finish work after receiving full payment.

No matter how good your roofer is, problems can come up, especially if the area you live in has an extreme climate. A visit by a roofer can ensure your roof stays in top shape.

Ask about the warranties that you can get for the work done. Some companies will have better deals than others. Also, it is important that you get your warranty in writing, as well as the estimate, so as to keep it in your possession. That way, there cannot be any disagreement about the terms later on.

Safety Plan

OSHA has requirements state that say every roofing contractor should develop safety plan in place during a project. This safety plan is important for ensuring projects are completed correctly.

A living roof is a way to “green” your home. Living roofs have soil layers that you can plant a garden with or grow some vegetables. A living roof only works for some climates, but it does provide great insulation.

Have your contractor explain the whole process. He should go over what kinds of products they’ll have to use, how things will be cleaned up and the price involved. Ask questions so you don’t understand something the roofer says. If you feel that a contractor does not provide you with adequate information, or he’s making you uneasy, you shouldn’t hire him.

Take it slow when choosing a contractor. Ask tons of questions to ensure they recommend someone that is well worth speaking to.

You always want to ask for references from any roofing companies you are considering doing business with. An honest company will be happy to provide you with references. Go with another company if you find one that will not provide you with references. This is a sure sign of issues down the road.

Don’t assume you need a new roof is necessary. Call a roofer and have them look at your roof before you invest any money.

Any homeowner that has had to have a roof fixed or replaced can inform you of how nightmarish it is to handle poor maintenance issues. You have the power to avoid such hassles now that you have read the above information. Just use these tips to keep your roof looking great.

If you are unable to find where your roof is leaking, try not to become discouraged. You will eventually find the source using process of elimination or by using your water hose with a friend’s help. If your house is very large, communicate via phone to make sure each person in in the spot they should be. You don’t want water to flow into your home if no one’s there to spot the leak!