A well constructed roof protects you and your family from the dangers Mother Nature can throw at you. If there is a problem with your roof, weather changes can result in catastrophe. Knowing how to care for your roof can prevent lots of headaches down the road. Read through the below article for excellent tips on keeping your roof in good shape.

Make sure that the roofing contractor you hire is trained and skilled. You can ask family and friends for personal recommendations. This is important because you a poor roofing job done which would result in costly repairs in the future.

If it is raining and your roof is leaking, you shouldn’t attempt to climb up onto your roof and fix the problem until it has quit raining. A wet roof can become corrupted if you work on it too fast, and it’s quite easy to slip. When it’s dry you can fix it safely and properly.

You never want to walk on your own roof looking for damaged spots. If you have issues, you should hire a person to examine things. You do not want to have the roof and it ends up caving in.

The age of your roof is going to help you figure out whether or not you replace it. Many roofs only last around 20 years before they need replaced. If your current roof is installed over an older layer of roofing, you’re going to have to have it replaced once it’s twenty years old.

Never hesitate to replace your roof’s shingles. Waiting can just allow the damage to worsen. Replacing or repairing shingles immediately can save money and stress later. If you keep up with your roof, it can last for years to come.

Check roofing materials thoroughly before installation.

A living roof is one that has soil to grow plants and flowers.

While leaks sometimes can be caused by shingles that are faulty, be sure you look at your roof’s foundation too. If there is dry rot on your home’s sides, you may get water in your home. Look at every entry point, even rotten wood, to see if the problem can be solved for good.

Don’t get discouraged if you’re not able to find out where a roof is leaking from. You are going to find the problem, and having a buddy will help as well.If you are dealing with a roof that’s on a large home, have someone inside with a cell phone keep in touch with you as you look for the leak.

If you think your roof is leaking, spray it with your garden hose. This might help you determine if you have a leak and also where the leak is. This is a lot cheaper alternative to having to hire a professional.

When it comes to roofing, you always want to take the climate into account. Roofs made of clay are excellent for dryer climates. They can really keep a home very cool. Clay tiles applied in damper climates can cause rapid deterioration. If you have doubts, just ask.

Keep your roof clear of leaves and gutters clean.If debris builds up, they’ll keep water from leaving your roof. When water sits on the roof, the materials that make up your roof can rot, making you susceptible to leaks.

Don’t give a contractor all of the money for your roof prior to installation. Many conniving contractors actually never return to finish work after receiving full payment only to disappear once they receive the funds.

First ask people you know whether they have used a roofing contractor recently and whether they can recommend him to you. Make sure you question them on a contractor’s costs, service level, and craftsmanship. Also find out what kind of warranty their roofer gave and whether he cleaned up the job site.

If you are seeking a more unique look to your roof, such as one with turrets on it or maybe metal plating installed, find a contractor who has worked on similar projects before. If they have limited knowledge, then you need a different contractor. You want to ensure that when it pertains to your roof.

When having a roofing contractor repair or inspect your roof, you would be wise to check with the Better Business Bureau. 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 need to also check-in with the Chamber of Commerce in your local area.

Don’t just climb onto your roof to look for problem areas. Get an inspector out to do the job right. You don’t want to walk on the roof and it ends up caving in.

Have your contractor outline the whole project in full.He should discuss things like the type of products that must be used, the clean-up procedure, costs, etc. Make sure you totally understand the plan in its entirety. If your contractor will, or he’s making you uneasy, you might want to consider working with someone else.

Take your time when choosing a contractor. Ask quite a few questions to see if their recommendation is worth your time and the reputation of all prospective firms.

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. They need to also have insurance that is full liability, as well as a certificate that’s current and covers workers’ compensation.

Never assume that your entire roof replacement is necessary. Call a roofer and have them inspect it before making that decision.

Not all roofers are equal in skill, so be careful when choosing one. Do not pick someone based on their flashy ad. Word of mouth happens to be a great indicator of advertisement. Check reviews online or seek out the advice of friends. Check the contractor’s reputation with local consumer agencies to see if they have a good reputation. Hiring a poor contractor could cost you tons of money.

If your contractor has workers with them, this could be cheaper than one that works alone. Having an entire team of roofers means the job will get done quicker, so it will cost less. A person working alone will often charge the same price, but will work more slowly. Make sure the labor cost is not too high.

Ask prospective roofers about the workload to make sure they have enough time to help you. How many employees work at the job?Companies with several projects and few employees are more likely to miss deadlines.

Don’t work on your roof alone.

Ask the contractor to give you their license and insurance information. If they aren’t able to, don’t think about hiring them. Without proper licensing, you’ll have very little recourse if the company turns in poor workmanship.

Don’t ever hire roofing contractors that don’t have proof of licensing. If the work isn’t done correctly, there will be nothing you can do. What happens if you are paying someone that isn’t licensed a grand in money? You are committing a crime in many states.

When choosing a roofer, try to find a specialist in roofing. His or her license number can provide you figure this out.

When hiring a roofer, do not overlook the little things. Do they call you back promptly? Do they show up on time? Also, providing you with a typed quote is another sign of a true professional. You want your chosen roofer to possess both of these important qualities.

Check with the BBB before you are considering to find out if they have a good reputation. Most professional companies have listings with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB is always a great resource for dealing with any contracting services.

Any homeowner that has had to have a roof fixed or replaced can inform you of how nightmarish it is to handle poor maintenance issues. But you can use the advice given here to avoid those consequences. Just use these tips to keep your roof looking great.

When undergoing a roof replacement, you may want to consider architectural shingles. These are better than regular shingles and last a lot longer. Additionally, they will increase your home’s value because they are highly sought after.