Home has been referred to as “the roof over your head.” The roof is an important part of your home, most important component of any properly-built home. Look to the tips below for some effective advice about making sure your rain stays out.

Inspect your own roof yearly. Spring and winter are times when damage the roof the most.

Your environment matters when thinking about your roof. When you live in a dry climate, go for clay tile. Clay tiles should not be used in wet climates as they will deteriorate much quicker than other materials would. If you are hesitant if it will suit your area, ask an expert.

If you find out that your roof is leaking when the weather is bad, wait til it dries to fix it. You can’t walk safely on a wet and slippery roof.A dry roof is much safer.

Don’t procrastinate replacing your shingles. Replacing or repairing your roof as problems arise can save you a ton of money and energy in the future. Taking care of your roof will help it remain durable over time.

When fixing roof leaks, make sure the whole problem is fixed. This means that it’s not a good idea to patch up the first leak you come to and stop there. Check every square inch of your roof for problems; you might have a number of issues.

Leaks come from having damaged shingles, but you should also inspect the foundations of your roof. Water can get into your home anywhere that are rotting. You should examine all entry points so that you can find the problem.

Weather Conditions

When you hire roofing contractors, you need to check into their references and reputation. Follow up on the references, calling previous clients to find out if they are satisfied with the work. It’s a good idea to check out the work for your own peace of mind. Drive by and get a good look before deciding who to hire.

Safety should be your number one priority when working on a roofing project. You can get hurt if you try to fix your roof under severe weather conditions.Put a bucket under that leak until weather conditions improve and wait for clear weather.

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

Prior to agreeing to hire a roofer, there are many questions you need to ask them. One question you should ask is, how many nails per shingle they use. Typically, three nails will not work. Don’t be afraid to find out your contractors shingling methods to see if their work meets industry standards. If you don’t get the right answers, walk away.

Make sure your research when you’re hiring a contractor. Don’t just accept the cheapest or first company you locate.

If you have an appointment with a roofer, but the roofing contractor you contacted can’t get there for a couple days, use a type of temporary fix on the leaky roof. Get yourself a piece of heavy plastic material and you can nail that over the leaking area.

If you’re getting pitched to by a high pressure roofing salesman then you need to tell them you’re not interested. These people will not stop annoying you until you sign their contract and you will always lose, so stop it before it starts.

The age of your roof determines whether to repair or replace it. Most roofs only have twenty years before they must be replaced. If your current roof is installed over an older layer of roofing, you definitely need to have it replaced after twenty years.

Make sure the roofing materials are in good condition.

You should be careful when you attempt to look for problems on your roof. 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.

Get references for any roofing company you are thinking about hiring. A legit company that is honest is going to always be glad to give you their references. If you find that the company doesn’t want to give you any, it may be time to look somewhere else. This is generally a tell-tale sign of trouble later on.

Make sure to ask plenty of questions are clearly answered before letting your roofing contractor begin work.The worst thing you do is keep a question and then it becomes a problem develop later on. If you can’t get clear answers from a contractor, consider going with someone else.

Check to make sure the contractor has all the licenses he needs. If you do not know the proper licenses a contractor should have, never trust your contractor’s word on the matter. Contact the building department where you live and see what kinds of things you’re going to need.

Get quotes prior to hiring help. Some contractors will bid high just to see how much higher prices that are unwarranted. To make sure this is not you, make sure you compare fair market prices and know what you’re getting into first.

A responsible homeowner will make sure that his or her roof is in excellent condition. There are lots of maintenance jobs that can be deferred, but roofing isn’t one of them. Using the above suggestions will help to keep the roof in great condition and will help save you money and troubles in the future.

Insurance is a must when it comes to roofing. In the event that a roofer damages anything on your property and is not insured, it’s up to you to pay for it. Do not just ask if a prospective roofer has insurance, ask them to provide you with the documentation that their insurance is current and comprehensive as well.