Your roof is your home’s first and best line of defense against the elements. That is why it has to be properly maintained. Too often homeowners fail to look after their roofs until it is too late. Use the advice listed in this article to ensure that your roof the right way.

Don’t try to fix any roof during wet weather. A slippery or wet roof could cause you to fall and seriously injure yourself. If you’re making roof repairs, make sure to do the work when the weather is dry.

Don’t try to fix your roof during wet weather. Wet roofs greatly increase the chances of accidents caused by slips and falls. If you have to do any kind of work on a roof it needs to be a sunny and dry day.

Make sure the roofer you hire has experience. You might consider asking family and friends for roofing contractor recommendations. This is important because you get a poor roofing job done which would result in costly repairs in the future.

You should generally avoid walking around your own roof in search of damaged spots. If you have roof problems, hire a professional to do an inspection. You don’t need to walk up there and have it cave in under your feet.

When a leak is getting fixed, you have to be sure that the job is done correctly the first time. Do not stop after fixing one small area. Check every square inch of your roof for problems; you might have a number of issues.

Insurance is something you will want to confirm your roofer has. If the roofer you use causes damage and they are uninsured, you’re left to pay the bill. Ask not only for proof of insurance, and make sure you see written documentation that it is current and sufficient in amount.

The age of your roof is the main factor in determining whether it should be replaced. Many roofs only last around 20 years prior to needing replacement. If your existing roof was put directly into an older one, you’re going to have to have it replaced once it’s twenty years old.

When selecting a roofer, ask loved ones for their experiences and recommendations. Ask the people you know about their experience with different contractors, such as the services provided or the price. Ask how well contractors cleaned when they finished the job and if they offer warranties for future repairs.

Check roofing materials thoroughly before putting new shingles up.

If you think there may be a place on your roof that’s leaking, spray the roof with your garden hose. You will be able to see if there is really an leak and assess the damaged areas. This is more cost you much less than hiring an expert.

When a roofing salesman throws a high-pressure pitch at you, it’s time to end the conversation. Such shysters can be very aggressive, so do what is necessary to shut them down.

Architectural shingles are another great addition to your roof. They’re more attractive and last a long time.

It’s imperative that damaged shingles as soon as possible. Give it a brief look, but remember to do so safely.

If you have gotten in touch with a roofer but he cannot come out for several days, you may need a temporary fix. You could purchase heavy grade plastic and put it over the leaking area and fasten with nails. It is not a lasting fix for the leaks, but it’ll provide your home with some protection until the proper repairs can be made.

Make sure all your questions when hiring a contractor. The worst thing is that you do is keep a question to yourself only to have a problem later on. If you can’t get your questions answered by a contractor, they should be avoided anyways.

Only contract with companies who demonstrate professionalism at every step. You need the whole process to be professional so that their work is too.

You should never go crawling around your roof seeking out damaged spots. If you have roof problems, you should hire a person to examine things. Your roof could cave if you walk over a damaged area.

It can be dangerous to climb on the roof. Roofs aren’t designed for us to walk on. Wear shoes with a rubber soles to avoid slipping. A harness is also be used if you can.

When you are trying to choose a roofing contractor to inspect or repair your roof, you need to be sure that you look to the BBB first. This will show you to see whether or not previous customers of the companies you are considering have lodged any complaints with any contractors you are thinking of hiring.You should also check with the area Chamber of Commerce.

Proper insurance is an absolute must-have. If you hire an uninsured roofer who damages your property, it’s going to cost you. 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.

Quality roofing companies always carry insurance that covers unexpected events. If they aren’t insured, you will be liable for their damages; therefore, so don’t hire any company that can’t prove that there is insurance that covers the workers. Ask contractors for this and verify it.

Have your contractor outline the whole project in full.He should readily inform you about everything involved, cleaning up and costs. Ask questions if you fully understand the roofer says. If your contractor will, or he’s making you uneasy, and you should consider hiring a different contractor.

The roofing contractor that you hire needs to be completely current with all of their credentials. Generally, any roofer you hire will need to have a current and valid license. Liability insurance is another must-have. Ideally, the contractor should also carry workers’ compensation.

Take your time when hiring a roofer because it is not an easy decision to make.Ask lots of questions to see if their recommendation is worth your time and the reputation of all prospective firms.

When you are trying to find a roofer, ask them if they’re subcontractors. If the workers do not work for the company directly, that may pose a problem if there is a liability issue later. Make sure to check this in advance before entering into a repair contract.

Contractors who have their own workers are often a more inexpensive option than those who work alone. More workers means the job will be completed quicker, which means lower costs. Just make sure that if you’re hiring just one person you don’t get charged too much in labor costs.

If weather conditions are not favorable, wait and don’t climb onto your roof. Fixing your roof is not worth injury or dying for. You should know what to do and be safe about it.

As mentioned before, the roof is what keeps your belongings and loved ones safe and dry. Be sure that you use everything that has been gone over here so that your home and family are kept safe. It will definitely be worth the effort you put into it.

Before you install new shingles, be aware of the materials used on your roof. A lot of leaks come from just installing the roof because shingles are cracked or nails aren’t the correct size. The shingles should be strong and crack free, and the nails should be sturdy.