While most roofs are made to last about fifteen years, that is not the same as being maintenance-free. You have to be sure that you’re taking care of your roof properly maintained. Keep reading to find out some key things about roofs.

Inspect your roof annually. Spring and winter months tend to damage is prevalent.

Inspect your roof at least once yearly. Common seasons for roof damage are winter and spring. Because of this, you must pay special attention during these months.

If it is raining and your roof is leaking, wait until everything is dry before heading up to your roof. You could compromise your safety on a slippery roof. A dry is roof is a safe roof.

Don’t procrastinate on replacing worn or broken shingles. Replacing or repairing shingles immediately can save money and heartache. Your roof will last longer if it is properly maintained.

Don’t check out and fix a leak until the rain stops. There is no quick fix for roof leaks, and it is very dangerous to climb on a wet roof. A dry roof is a safe roof.

Don’t try to fix your roof when the weather conditions are poor. A wet roof can cause you to fall; this may result in a bad injury or worse. If you’re making roof repairs, only do it when the weather is dry and sunny.

Always be sure that you’re not paying for the full amount up front if you don’t have to. You might need to pay a quarter of the entire price in order for work to commence, but avoid paying anything more. You wouldn’t want them to perform less work than what they were supposed to.

Never hesitate to replace your roof’s shingles. You might be tempted to put off a repair, but that can actually make the situation worse. Replacing or repairing shingles immediately can save money and stress later. Maintaining your roof means it will last much longer for you.

Never go up on your roof to inspect for damage.If there is a problem, it is safest to hire someone that can look at it for you. You definitely don’t want to be walking on the roof cave in under your feet.

When shopping for a contractor, ask them about the warranties they provide. You need to find someone offering a warranty that lasts for at least 3-5 years. It must cover workmanship and defective supplies, plus they should give you copies of all manufacturer warranties as well.

When faced with snow, ice, or rain, it is best to postpone your roofing project. Rain, sleet, and snow can cause you to fall, which can seriously injure or even kill you. The best time for do-it-yourself roof work is on warm, sunny days.

Make sure any roofer that you employ has the licensing necessary to do the job. Do not simply believe that he is legitimate based off what is required.Contact the local building department and ask them what is necessary.

Living roofs have soil layers that can be home to plants of many types.

Mow your lawn the day before your roof is replaced. This way, you can easily locate any nails that have fallen off during the work process. Even better, a magnetized nail finder will work at its optimum in short grass.

Only hire a roofing contractor that is able to supply you with proof of an active license and licenses.

Don’t pay a roof fully before the work starts. Many conniving contractors actually never return to finish work after receiving full payment only to disappear once they receive the funds.

There are a number of questions you should ask your roofer before you sign the contract. If you are having shingle work done, ask the number of nails they typically use for each shingle. Usually, three nails are inadequate to the job. Ask them about what their methods are to see if the answer they give is satisfactory. If you have any doubt, find another contractor.

You want to identify shingle damage as soon as you don’t have to deal with leaks.Look at the roof each time, remembering to be safe.

Make sure to ask plenty of questions are clearly answered before letting your roofing contractor begin work.The worst thing is that you do not ask a question to yourself only to have a problem develop later on. If you find your roofer to be a bit standoffish, you should not work with them anyway.

If you have an appointment with a roofer, but he or she is not coming for a couple of days, have a temporary solution in place. Consider nailing in a layer of heavy plastic over the leaky area. This is a temporary repair that allows you to hire a contractor to fix the problem permanently.

The materials used can be recycled and they are 100% recyclableYou can even install such a metal roof over your current shingles.

When you need to hire a company to do your roofing, ask if their workers are listed as sub-contractors. If the company does not directly employ those who will work on your roof, this can pose a liability problem. Make sure you understand the sub-contracting situation before entering into a repair contract.

When you have come up with a short list of possible contractors, check with each with regard to their warranties. You need to find someone offering a warranty that lasts for about three or more years. You should have defective supplies covered and poor workmanship, too. Don’t forget to get copies of any warranty that you are offered.

This may help you an advantage when it comes to talking with a ride since you’ll know about the work that needs to be done.

Do not just assume you need a new roof. Call a pro and have them look at your roof before making that decision.

Be certain your roofing contractor is properly licensed. If you don’t know what’s required, find out for yourself. Check your local building department and call them to find out what is necessary.

Get the paperwork to your contractor well before they are scheduled to start working. Your contractor might need a permit or bond prior to them beginning work on your roof.

Be wary of any company that solicit your business.A good contractor should not need to get business that way. Many solid companies like to set appointments. They usually have employees wear uniforms and drive trucks with a form of company logos. There are always exceptions, but you should always think twice.

Make sure any contractor you are considering has insurance. If the roofer you use causes damage and they are uninsured, you are responsible for the bill. When it comes to insurance, you shouldn’t just take roofers at their word. Make sure you see documentation so that you know their insurance is up to date.

Don’t ever hire a roofing job for you unless you have seen proof that they’re licensed in your state. If the work isn’t done to satisfaction, there will not be anywhere for you to turn for help. What occurs if you pay an unlicensed contractor more than a grand in money? You would be breaking the law in most states.

One coat of paint can nullify the roof’s warranty. Call your insurance company prior to painting it.A new roof won’t matter if it’s not properly protected.

A contractor who hires employees is usually cheaper and more efficient than a contractor who works alone. A roofing team can accomplish a job quicker and this usually ends up with a much cheaper final product. A person working alone will often charge the same price, but will work more slowly. Make sure the labor cost is not too high.

Don’t make any decisions based on phone quotes since final expenses are generally different. These quotes are simply strategies to attract customers by phone.

If you work on your roof and are able to make sure it’s taken care of, it will take care of your home for you. In a sense, your roof is a very valuable asset. Remember the advice here, and use it when you need it.

You should always consider a roofer’s experience while going through the hiring process. Those with long histories have learned how to please customers. Those who have a short history in the area may be scammers who abscond with your funds.