No homeowner wants to be facing major roof repair project. It is wise to make small repairs to your roof before they become larger issues.Read through these tips to learn what goes into proper roof maintenance.

Inspect your own roof once a year at the bare minimum. Spring and winter are times when damage the roof the most.

Never try to repair a leaky roof while it is still raining. Leaks cannot be quickly patched anyhow, and it may be dangerous to climb atop a wet roof. A dry roof is a safe roof.

When fixing a leak, make sure you fix the problem the first time. This means searching for other leaks after the first leak you come to and stop there. Check every square inch of your roof and you might have a number of issues.

Wear shoes with rubber boots when you work on top of your roof.

When working on a roof, safety must be a top priority. It’s just too risky to get up on your roof during inclement weather, when accidents are most likely to occur. Get a bucket to catch the water from the leak until things start to clear up and then you should check on your roof.

Mow your lawn prior to having a contractor comes to remove your roof.This helps make it easier to find any nails that may hit the roof. If they bring a type of magnetic nail finder, short grass will also help this tool work more efficiently.

Make sure that the roofing contractor you hire is trained and skilled. Ask your friends and family for any referrals they may have. Hiring a contractor who is not properly licensed and distress.

When it comes to roofing, you always want to take the climate into account. Clay roofs do well in dry climates, and they help keep the house cool. Clay roof tiles on a house in a rainy climate will result in the roof deteriorating rather quickly. If you have doubts, just ask.

You don’t want to walk on the roof yourself and looking for damaged spots. If there is a problem, have a professional come take a look. You definitely don’t want to be walking on the roof unsuspecting as it caves in under your feet.

When shopping for a contractor, find out what kind of warranties are available. You want at least a 3-5 years of coverage. It should cover both defective supplies as well as poor workmanship, and they should also give you photocopies of manufacturer warranties too.

When hiring a contractor, research properly. Never hire the first one listed in the yellow pages or the one with the lowest rates. You should be doing solid research and reading reviews about contractors in your area. Two good ways to research good contractors are word of mouth from friends and online searches.

The age of the roof will determine if it needs to be replaced. Many roofs last around 20 years prior to needing replacement. If your roof was installed on top of an old roof, you are going to have to get a new one after 20 years.

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

When you find a contractor, make sure they are covered by liability insurance. Insurance is a sign of a reliable contractor. 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.

Ask prospective roofing contractor how long they’ve been roofing. Those who’ve been around in your area for a long time obviously know how to keep their customers happy. Anyone that is new to this could be a scam artist who runs away with your money.

Pay attention to the little things when you hire a roofing contractors. Someone who shows up on time and calls you when there are issues is probably fairly dependable. You would like your roofer to have both qualities.

Try not to use any short-term fixes on your roof. Though you may think you are saving money, more damage can occur, which will cost even more. It’s easier to avoid future problems by performing thorough repairs as soon as possible.

It’s very important to catch damage to the shingles are replaced as early as possible and even a few flying off can add up to major leaks. Look over your roof, but do so safely.

Make sure to get several quotes prior to selecting your roofing contractor. There are contractors out there that try and squeeze as much money from you as they can. To avoid becoming the victim of shoddy work or someone who will rip you off, make sure to do your research.

You never want to climb atop your own roof to inspect for damage. Hire a professional to inspect your roof if you think some areas are damaged. If you walk around on your roof, you could damage it further or injure yourself.

No matter how well the roof is installed, problems can come up, especially if your area is prone to extreme temperatures. A yearly visit once a year will help keep your roof in the best shape possible.

A reputable roofer will always carry insurance that covers potential damage and accidents that might occur. 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 information and verify it by calling their insurer.

Insurance coverage is essential when it comes to roofing. If you hire a contractor without insurance, you are going to have to pay for any damage that might occur. Don’t just ask prospective roofing contractors if they have insurance, have them provide the insurance documents saying that it is comprehensive and current.

Speak with people you know to see if they know of any roofing contractor. Word of mouth is the best ways to find a reliable company. They may be able to get you where to look.

To reduce the problems other homeowners face, you mustn’t forget about your roof. That opens you up to disaster down the road. Use what you’ve learned here to take good care of your roof. Keeping your roof maintained can potentially save you quite a bit of money and headaches in the future.

A roofer who works on their own can wind up costing you more money than someone with a team of workers. A roofing team can accomplish a job quicker and this usually ends up with a much cheaper final product. But, if just one person is doing the job, make sure they don’t overcharge for labor.