Your roof is what protects you from the elements. This is reason why it is so important for you to maintain it properly. Many homeowners forget about roof maintenance until the issues are major.Use the following tips to take good care of your roof remains in great shape for years to come.

If you find a leak during a storm, you shouldn’t attempt to climb up onto your roof and fix the problem until it has quit raining. You can’t walk safely on a wet and slippery roof.A dry is roof is a safe roof.

Climate should play a key role in your roofing decisions. Clay roofs are great for dry climates and can help to keep the house cool. If you place this type of roof on your home in a rainy area, it will start to deteriorate quickly. Always ask an expert’s opinion on the best types of roofs for your home.

Never hesitate if your roof’s shingles. Replacing or repairing shingles now will prevent trouble and money spending in the future. Maintaining your roof will last much longer for you.

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 applied in damper climates can damage a roof pretty quickly. If you are hesitant if it will suit your area, ask a pro.

When you are choosing roofing contractors, it’s important to look at background references. Interview the homeowners who gave references to learn whether they found the quality and attitude of the contractor to be professional. Take a drive to the homes, if possible. Take a quick drive and look at the work before making any decisions.

Make sure that you’re safely secured properly every time you need to go on your roof.

Make sure that your roofer you choose has liability insurance. The main thing that this will show you about a policy bodes well for a contractor’s reliability.If something does happen, the insurance will take care of it.

When a roofing salesman throws a high-pressure pitch at you, it’s time to end the conversation. 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.

You never want to climb atop your own roof to inspect for damaged spots. If you’re having major issues, find a pro to come look at it. You don’t want to walk on the roof that could collapse.

The age of your roof can help you replace it. Many roofs only last around twenty years prior to needing replacement. If you installed your roof above an old one, you are going to have to get a new one after 20 years.

Don’t fix your roof with short-term solutions. You may think you are saving money, but in the long run you could end up spending a lot more due to major damage. Get the problem fixed today to avoid disaster tomorrow.

A living roof is comprised of enough soil to grow plants if you want to on it.

Ask the roofing contractors how long their company has been in business. Those with long histories have satisfied customers. A company that such contractors may very well be run by scammers who will take advantage of you.

If you require the services of a roofing contractor, look into his credentials and experience. Look into who knows them – even ask your family and friends for their opinions. It’s really important to do so. You want to take every precaution to make sure you don’t get shoddy workmanship.

It’s imperative that damaged shingles as soon as possible. Look at the roof each time, remembering to be safe.

If you’re considering some creative and unique roofing options, then make certain your talk with the roofer about their experience with those materials. If they seem to have little, go with someone else. It’s best not to gamble with your head.

Roofing contractors you hire should have current credentials. A license is required of roofers, generally. Check with local authorities to see of you roofer has his up to date. Liability insurance is another must-have. Ideally, the contractor should also carry workers’ compensation.

Have your contractor outline the whole project in full.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 if you fully understand the roofer says. If your contractor will, or he is very vague, you might want to consider working with someone else.

When hiring a roofing contractor, see if their workers are sub-contractors. If the company does not employ these workers, there might be liability issues later. Make sure to check this in advance before entering into a repair contract.

Don’t hire a contractor unless they can give you proof of up to date insurance and licensing. If the contractor cannot provide this information, then you need a different contractor. You won’t have any recourse available when they do a bad job which ends up costing you a lot of money to fix.

Ensure your roofer has completed and acquired all paperwork before they begin the job. Your contractor might need permits or bonds before starting to work.

If the weather does not cooperate, wait and don’t climb onto your roof. Fixing your roof is not worth injury or dying for. You should know what you are doing and use caution.

It is best to choose a contractor who is a member of different industry associations. The better contractors join associations to stay current with industry news and developments and to network with other contractors. Otherwise, they may not have the necessary dedication to quality work.

Ask possible roofers about their workload to make sure they have enough time to help you. How many workers can they put on the company? Companies with several projects and few employees could struggle to meet deadlines.

Never let ice to build on the roof. Ice can potentially cause damage to a roof in more than one way. You can help protect your roof from ice by using ice shields or drip shields. Good ventilation is also help with this.

After any extremely windy days, check on your roof shingles. It is important to catch shingle damage early since a few coming off can mean huge leaks. Do a quick, safe check every time.

Check with the BBB before you are considering to find out if they are registered or if any complaints have been filed against them. Most reputable companies have listings with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB is a great tool you need to take advantage of when hiring any contracting services.

As was mentioned earlier, your roof is a great source of protection and safety for you and your family. Use what you’ve just learned to keep safe all through the year. Your efforts will be well worth it in the long run.

Don’t neglect the roof boots. Rubber boots are where your roof fence rises, and they easily dry out. When this happens, they become susceptible to leakage, so don’t forget to check and replace as needed.