You may not given your home’s roof much consideration. A leaking roof that needs repairs can cause thousands of dollars of damage to your home. This article will get you started with the basics of roofing.

Don’t hesitate when it comes to replacing worn or broken shingles. Replacing or repairing shingles immediately saves you a ton of money and energy in the future. Your roof will last longer if it is properly maintained.

Look over your roof carefully at least once a year. Spring and winter are times when damage is prevalent. So, be sure to inspect your roof during or after these troublesome months.

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

Nail Finder

Never hesitate if your shingles need to be replaced. It may seem like a great idea to wait a while to fix a problem, but damage will worsen as time passes. Replacing or repairing shingles immediately saves you both time and energy in the future. Maintaining your roof means it will last much longer for you.

Mow your lawn prior to having a contractor work on your roof is replaced. This will allow you to have an easier to find nails that may hit the ground. Even if your contractor has a nail finder, a magnetized nail finder will work at its optimum in short grass.

It is important that you check the references of any contractor you allow them to work on your roof.Once you have their references, ask the homeowners who the roofer worked for how they feel about the quality and value of the work. You should also look at some of their previous work. Drive by and see for yourself before determining who you will hire.

Always make safety your first priority when it comes to fixing your roof. If it is raining outside and you attempt to make roof repairs, you may end up getting injured or worse. Put a bucket beneath the problem area, and then inspect the roof to determine the extent of necessary repairs.

Don’t attempt to create a temporary fix for your roof repairs. It may seem cost effective at the time, but it may end up causing more damage, you are more likely to have further damage that will only cost you more money. You should take care of problems before they cause serious damages.

You should never climb on the roof yourself and try finding damaged areas yourself. If you think there are problems, have a professional come take a look. You do not want to have it cave in.

Whenever the weather is bad, you should never get on top of your roof. Rain, sleet, and snow can cause you to fall, which can seriously injure or even kill you. Only work on your roof if the weather is dry and sunny.

When you have come up with a short list of possible contractors, find out what kind of warranties are available. You want a warranty that lasts for at least 3-5 years. The warranty needs to cover defective supplies and sup-par workmanship, and you should have manufacturer warranty copies too.

Insurance is something that you need to have when it comes to roof work. If the roofer you use causes damage and they are uninsured, you are going to have to pay for any damage that might occur. Don’t just ask prospective roofing contractors if they have insurance, make them show you the documentation that proves it.

Make sure you’re safely secured whenever you need to go on your roof. This is important because it is very easy to become unbalanced and fall.

Make sure your roofer has credentials, valid certifications. Nearly every state insists that roofers be properly licensed, so make sure yours has a current and valid license.

If a roof leak has you worried, try using a garden hose to spray it down. This will help you find the exact location of the leak and where it is. It is a much cheaper than hiring a professional.

Look at all of your roofing materials before you put up new shingles. Using damaged materials, such as cracked shingles, can be a primary cause of a leak right from the start. The shingles should be strong and crack free, and the nails should be sturdy.

Ask your contractor which industry associations he takes part in. The top contractors are going to be involved in these groups so that they keep up with all the latest technological advances and improvements to standard techniques. If they don’t happen to be members, question their level of dedication to the field.

Get quotes from different contractors before hiring a roofer. There are companies out there that will try and squeeze as much money from you as they can. To avoid falling for a scam and losing your money, make sure you compare fair market prices and know what you’re getting into first.

Talk to your roofer about what kind of warranty they offer on their work. Some companies may give you a better deal than others. Obtain a written warranty with your estimate so that you’re in possession of all the proper information. This will keep things running smoothly because they’re bound by the warranty.

If you want a custom look for your roof, ask the potential contractor about the amount of experience the roofing crew has with what you are considering. If they tell you they have little or no experience, you probably want to search for another contractor. You do not want to take chances like that when dealing with your roof.

Like was said before, most homeowners don’t know much about roofing. Thanks to this article, you should now be much more informed on the matter so that you can handle any roofing problems you may have. Remember that your roof is protecting you and your family, so you must protect it.

After a blustery wind storm, if you cannot see your roof even on a ladder from the ground level, you should get on top to inspect it. It’s very important to catch damage to the shingles as early as possible and even a few flying off can add up to major leaks. Look at the roof each time, but do so safely.