Though most roofs are meant to last a decade or more, some maintenance may be needed along the way. You have to be sure that you’re taking care of your roof is maintained and cared for properly. Keep reading to learn some key things about roofing.

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

If it is raining and your roof is leaking, you shouldn’t attempt to climb up onto your roof and fix the problem until it has quit raining. Not only is there no way to quickly patch a leak, but your safety could be compromised on a slippery, wet roof. Once the sun is shining again, you can look at the roof with a fresh set of eyes.

Don’t attempt to create a temporary fix for your roof with short-term solutions. It may not cost you a lot to do, but it will get more expensive in the future.You should take care of problems before they get worse.

If you plan on hiring a contractor, you should be sure they can provide complete credentials that are totally up to date. Nearly every locale has a license requirement, so be sure that they have the proper licensing.

Never attempt to fix a roof when it is raining, snowing, or conditions are icy. If your roof is slippery and wet, you may fall, causing bad injuries or perhaps death. If you work on the roof on your own, only do it when the weather is dry and sunny.

The age of your roof determines whether it needs replacing or not. Many roofs last for around 20 years prior to needing replacement. If your existing roof was put directly into an older one, you’ll definitely need to replace the entire thing once you’ve reached that 20 year limit.

Only award your roofing work to a contractor who can give you proof of insurance and proper licensing.

Rubber boots should be worn when working on the roof. Even if it’s sunny and dry, these boots can grip well. Roof repairs will typically place you in harms way several times during the duration of their repairs, so be careful and think twice.

Make sure all your questions when hiring a contractor. The worst thing you do not ask a question to yourself only to have a problem develop later on. If a prospective contractor fails to answer questions, you probably do not want to work with them.

Don’t let anyone that have demonstrated anything less than professional behavior to work on your home. You want the whole process to remain professional so that their work will be too.

Make sure you’re properly secured when you’re on the roof. You have to be sure that you do this because it can be easy to fall over or slip and that could injure or even kill you if you’re not careful.

Quality roofing companies always carry insurance that covers unexpected events. If such insurance is lacking, you will be liable for their damages; therefore, and so you ought not hire contractors lacking sufficient insurance. Ask contractors for this and verify it by calling their insurer.

OSHA mandates that any roofing contractor should develop safety plans. These plans are for making sure projects get completed as it should be.

Always check the references of a contractor before hiring them. Once you’ve got them, check them out and ask about value and quality of the work. You should also make it a point to have a look at some of these homes yourself. Take a quick drive and look at the work before making any decisions.

Have your contractor outline the whole project in full.He ought to talk about important matters, the clean-up procedure, costs, and how cleaning up is done. Ask questions so you fully understand something the plan. If you don’t think you have a good handle on what will take place, search elsewhere.

Take your time when choosing a contractor. Ask the contractors you are considering lots of questions to really suss out their expertise.

Before putting your signature on paper, pose several questions. For instance, see how many nails a given contractor uses for every shingle. Three nails or less is generally considered inadequate. Ask them about the methods they use, and see if they give a good answer. If not, look somewhere else.

Not all roofers are equal in skill, so make sure you choose one wisely. Don’t simply pick the flashiest ad. Word of mouth happens to be a great indicator of advertisement. Check reviews online or seek out the advice of friends. Check local consumer agencies to see if they have a good reputation. Choosing a poor contractor can be very costly.

Watch out for storm chasers! These flighty contractors look for work in neighborhoods that have been hit hard by a major storm. Many are not from other states and don’t have no documentation for your state. You can identify them in several ways, their licence plate and their references from many different states.

Unless you are required to, do not pay up front. Normally, you pay 25% or so to start the job. You would not want to find yourself on the receiving end of poor or incomplete work.

Don’t ever hire a contractor without proof that they’re licensed in your jurisdiction. If a contractor is not licensed and provides poor work, the roofer will need to have been licensed in your state. What would occur if you pay an unlicensed more than a thousand dollars? You are committing a crime in many states.

This can help the roof without risking slips and falls.

You should avoid going up on the roof yourself and looking for any damage. If there is a problem, call a professional to come and have a look. You don’t need to walk up there and have it cave in.

Check with the BBB before you hire a roofer to make sure they are registered or if any complaints have been filed against them. Most professional companies have listings with the BBB.The BBB is a powerful tool when dealing with any kind of contracting service.

Large tress can make a home look attractive, however they are bad for your roof. Trim back any branches that are near your roof to minimize damage from branches. This will allow you to know that your roof won’t get damaged and prevents excess leaf buildup in the gutters.

If you want a brand new roof and consider yourself someone who is conscious about the environment, rememember to think about a living roof. A living roof provides you with space to plant. A living roof only works for some climates, but it does provide great insulation.

Cleaning the gutters often is great for your roof. Clogged gutters lead to roof leaks when the water and cause leaks. Make sure your gutters once monthly.

If you’ve recently had work done on your roof, look at your attic space after the first big rain. This lets you see whether the leaks that haven’t been repaired. It will also make you know if you’re dealing with any shingles that are weak.

Prior to someone working on your roof, ask them any questions on your mind. Neglecting to ask certain questions can lead to future trouble. Don’t bother with any contractor who isn’t willing to take the time to talk to you and answer all of your questions anyway.

Pick a roofing materials that improve your home’s one-of-a-kind architecture. Dark colored shingles are better for very steep roofs.This makes the home look a lot less imposing. If the roof on your home maintains a shallow pitch, then opt for lighter colors. This helps give your home a little taller.

Make sure to get everything in writing, such as an itemized list of the expenses, insurance claims, and any expenses. A repair that is documented well is going to be smooth and helps make future problems easier to do. This written document will aid greatly in any disagreements or claims with the project.

If you want an environmentally friendly roof, think about a roof made of coated metal materials. These types of roofs are totally recyclable, and they can really save you on energy costs. A coated metal roof can even be placed over asphalt tiles, which means your old roof won’t be clogging up a landfill.

Keeping your roof in good shape goes a long way to keeping your home in tip-top shape. You could say your roof is the most important part of your home, as it protects the rest. Use the advice you’ve learned here, and you will have a sturdy and protective roof over your head for many years.