Being a homeowner comes with a large amount of responsibility. You have to maintain your home, whether you do it yourself or choose a professional.Keep reading to learn more about roofing so that you can do or if it is time to contact a contractor.

Inspect your own roof yearly. Roofs are commonly most damage in the spring and winter.

Inspect your roof at least once yearly. Roofs normally suffer from significant damage during the months in winter and spring. With this in mind, you should monitor the state of your roof frequently during these times.

If you find your roof leaking during rainy weather, wait til it dries to fix it. You could compromise your safety on a slippery roof. A dry roof is much safer.

While leaks sometimes can be caused by shingles that are faulty, you should also check the foundation of the roof. Dry rot in siding can allow water to enter your home. Check all areas to make sure this doesn’t happen.

Before you hire a roofing contractor ask for references. Make sure to call the references if you can too. Get their real opinions on the jobs that were done and the quality of the service. Also, go and look at the different addresses. Drive past them and examine the work carefully before choosing your roofer.

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 take a look at some of their previous work. Drive by and take a look before choosing your roofer.

Make sure to do your homework is done when looking for a roofing contractor. Don’t just accept the cheapest or first company you locate.

Prior to putting your name on a contract, ask your roofer a few questions. Ask about the number of nails that will be used for each shingle. Three isn’t enough. Ask them about which techniques they use and be sure you’re happy with their answer. If you don’t like what they say, choose someone else.

Always be sure that you don’t pay the full amount up front if you don’t have to. You can pay about 25% to start the job, but see if you can pay only that. You don’t need them to perform less or poor work than you expected.

Make sure any roofer that you hire has the proper licence to do the job. Do not trust the roofer to tell you the honest truth about what he says. Contact the building department where you live and inquire about what is necessary.

The last thing you should do is go onto your roof and walk around looking for damaged areas. Hire a professional to inspect your roof if you think some areas are damaged. If you’re unsure of the severity, there could be loose shingles and foundational problems that could lead to injury if you don’t know what you are doing.

A living roof is one that has soil to grow plants if you want to on it.

Do not get upset if you cannot find your roof leak. You will find the source eventually if you use a water hose, and the use of a water hose and a buddy system can help. If your house is large, have another person on a cell phone to see if you’re getting water everywhere inside the house.

Make sure your roofer has insurance. If you work with an uninsured contractor and something is damaged, you’ll be the one responsible for the cost. Ask for documentation before your contractor starts any work on your roof.

If you’re having a hard time locating a leak, try spraying it with a garden hose. This might help you determine if you do indeed have a leak and where the leak is located. This will cost effective than hiring an expert.

Think about using architectural shingles for a roof replacement project.They’re more attractive and also last a long time.

Roofing contractors should have full, reliable credentials. The need for licensing is nearly universal. Ensure that all documentation is present and in date. The company should also be fully insured and covered for worker’s compensation laws as well.

Don’t pay for a roof fully before there has been some work being done. Many shady contractors actually never return to finish work after receiving full payment.

It’s imperative that damaged shingles as soon as possible. Look at the roof each time, remembering to be safe.

If the source of your leaky roof is evading you, don’t worry. It won’t take long for you to identify it by eliminating other possibilities by using a hose and another pair of eyes. Use cell phones with one person in the attic and the other outside.

Don’t allow individuals that have demonstrated anything less than professional behavior to work on the roof of your roof. You want to deal with professionals so that you can be comfortable that the professionalism displayed by the contractor.

OSHA mandates that any roofing contractor should develop safety plans. This plan is necessary for a properly completed correctly.

If you’re wondering if your roof is leaking, try spraying it with a garden hose. Doing so will help you figure out if you have a leak and if you do, where it is coming from. You will not have to spend money on a contractor just to find out.

Have your contractor explain the whole process. He should tell you about materials, how things will be cleaned up and the price involved. Ask questions so you don’t understand the roofer says. If you feel that a contractor does not provide you with adequate information, or that he is being vague, you might want to consider working with someone else.

This will protect you from roofing contractors who may try to take advantage when it comes to talking with a contractor.

To maintain your roof properly, keep debris away from it. Whenever debris builds up, water can accumulate on your roof. With water sitting on top of your roof, the layers beneath your shingles are more likely to rot, causing leaks that can be expensive to repair.

Don’t assume you need a new roof is necessary. Call a pro and have them look at your roof before you spend anything.

Make sure you wear shoes have rubber soles. It is dangerous to work on your roof. The traction offered by the rubber soled footwear will make falls less likely and falls. A roof can get very slippery when wet.It can be hard to stay standing on a roof if you aren’t prepared.

If you want a unique looking roof and might be thinking of having turrets installed or even having a metal roof put on, then make certain your talk with the roofer about their experience with those materials. If they have little or no experience, find a different roofer. When it comes to roofs, you don’t want to take risks.

This will help you to move around safely.

When hiring a contractor, be sure the person specializes in roofs.Ask for their license information so you can find out more about their skills.

With regards to roof maintenance, most homeowners often neglect replacing roof boots. These rubber boots are located where the roof fence comes up and they can dry out. Dry, cracked roof boots will eventually lead to leaks and should be replaced.

Don’t decide anything based on an over-the-phone quote because the final expenses will always be substantially different. These quotes are usually just a tool used to get people hooked over the phone.

Regularly cleaning out your gutters is among the smartest things you should do to maintain your roof’s health. Clogged gutters lead to roof leaks when the water and cause leaks. Make sure your gutters are cleaned on a monthly basis.

When hiring a roofer, ensure the contractor is able to conduct any necessary yearly roof maintenance. Problems happen, even with the best contractor. Annual inspections can keep the roof in great shape.

Have someone inspect your roof looked at every year. You can make your own inspection or hire a professional, or you can hire a contractor to come take a look. Failing to do so can cause you to miss small problems develop that can escalate into major repairs.

Treat any algae or moss spots as soon as possible to enhance your roof’s lifespan. These parasites can ruin your shingles as well as many other roofing materials and foundation which can lead to more costly replacements later. Begin by putting some watered-down bleach on the troublesome area. Let it absorb and then rinse the area with a pressure washer. You of course can hire a contractor if you don’t want to do this for you.

Don’t agree to any verbal contracts. Usually, when there is a verbal contract between an individual and a roofer, there are conflicts that arise later on if the job is not done to expectation. Getting things in writing is key if you want to be able to prove damages in the future.

Whether you want to take on your roofing project yourself or employ a professional, you first need to equip yourself with the right information. This article is a great starting point, but don’t stop here; keep learning. Use what you read here to make an informed decision.