A roof is the best defense against inclement weather. That is the reason why it has to be properly maintained.Many homeowners make the mistake of letting minor roof maintenance until it’s too late. Use the advice in this article to learn how you can maintain your roof remains in great shape for years to come.

If your roof leaks, wait until the area is dry to start fixing it. You can’t walk safely on a wet and slippery roof.A dry roof is much safer.

If you find out that your roof is leaking when the weather is bad, wait until things settle down before doing any repairs. Fixing a leak can take some time and walking on a slippery roof is extremely dangerous. When your roof has dried, you are then able to safely fix your roof.

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 where it’s leaking and then look at the roof to determine whether or not you can fix the issue.

Consider the local climate in your area when thinking about roofing. Clay roofs work great for dry climates and can help to keep the home cool. Clay roof tiles should not be used in rainy climates as they will cause your roof to deteriorate quickly. If you have doubts, don’t be afraid to ask.

Do not give in to pitches by salesmen that do not sound reasonable. Some of them will do whatever it takes to get your signature on a contract. This is never a good sign for the consumer, so stop them long before you get to that point.

Make sure you’re secured whenever you climb onto your roof.

When you are looking into hiring a roofing contractor, ask your family, friends and colleagues. Ask how well contractors cleaned when they finished the clean-up job that was done after work was completed and if warranties are offered.

Be certain your roofing contractor is properly licensed. If you don’t know what your area requires, you shouldn’t take what the roofer says about it as the truth. Check your local building department and call them to find out what is necessary.

The age of your roof can determine if it’s time to have it replaced. Most roofs have twenty years or so before they must be replaced. If you installed a roof on top of your older roof, you are going to have to get a new one after 20 years.

A living roof is comprised of enough soil to grow vegetables.

Make sure that any contractor you consider for your roofing job has current full credentials. Nearly every area requires some sort of licensing for roofers, so make sure yours has a current and valid license. Also, be sure they are currently holding good liability insurance and a worker’s compensation certificate.

Always ask for several references before hiring a contractor to provide references. A company that is honest is going to always be glad to give you their references. If a contractor is hesitant to give them to you, walk away. This might be a sign that the work isn’t going to go as planned usually.

Keep your roof clear of leaves and gutters clean.When such materials are permitted to build up, water pools. When water stagnates, the wood beneath the shingle may rot, which requires costly repair work.

The age of your roof is the main factor in determining whether you should replace it or not. Most roofs only have twenty years or so before they must be replaced. If you have a roof that was put in over an old one you need to have it replaced after twenty years no matter what.

Get quotes before hiring one. Some in the roofing business may be looking for suckers and will try to get every dime out of unsuspecting consumers. To avoid becoming the victim of shoddy work or someone who will rip you off, evaluate the roofing market.

The materials used can be recycled and they are 100% recyclableYou can even install such a roof over your old one.

Do not get upset if you cannot find sources of leaks in your roof. You will eventually find the source using process of elimination or by using your water hose with a friend’s help. If you have a large home, have someone inside with a cell phone keep in touch with you as you look for the leak.

Always check the materials that are being used to repair or replace your roof for possible defects. Be sure that you’re paying attention to what you’re doing at all stages of the work.

No matter the contractor’s skill level, problems can easily arise, especially if the area you live in has an extreme climate. An annual checkup will keep your roof properly maintained.

Shop around before signing on with a contractor to do any work on your roof. Some contractors are crooks who want to milk you for your money. To avoid becoming the victim of shoddy work or someone who will rip you off, make sure you compare fair market prices and know what you’re getting into first.

OSHA requires contractors to have a safety plans in place during a project. These plans are crucial for making sure that the work will be done right.

When you are shopping for a company to work on your roof, ask if they have sub-contractors. If the workers do not work for the company directly, it’s possible that you will have no protection against shoddy workmanship. Make sure to check this in advance before you make a commitment.

Inspect all materials that will be going on your roof. Shingles sometimes crack and need to be replaced immediately. Be sure that all materials are in good condition before and after all repairs.

Ask your contractor about their present workload. Find out the number of employees work for this company. Companies with lots of current projects and minimal employees are more likely to miss deadlines.

Think about weather in your area before selecting roofing materials.For instance, wood shingles don’t work well in arid regions. Synthetic materials usually don’t last in warm climates. Metal roofs aren’t ideal for colder conditions.Talk with a professional contractor to ensure you’re making a wise decision.

Determine if your potential roofer can perform annual maintenance on your roof. Even if you have the best contractor in the world, there will probably still be issues. Yearly maintenance will help ensure your roof’s overall health.

This will help you to move about on the roof without risking slips and falls.

When choosing a roofer, be sure the person specializes in roofs. Ask for the contractor’s license number to confirm his credibility.

There is no doubt that getting on your roof can prove dangerous. Most roofs are not designed to accommodate humans, so it is important that you do your best to stay safe. To help avoid slipping, wear shoes with rubber soles. Also wear a harness, if you have one. Lastly, be sure that you have someone around to help you out.

Make sure your gutters are not cluttered. Don’t do extra roof work when simple preventative measures can be taken. Clogged gutters are often cause of roof leakage. Be sure to clean your gutters regularly, particularly after a strong storm. This can reduce the amount you from doing unnecessary roofing repairs.

Once a roof has been installed or repaired, check out your attic once there has been some rain. This will allow you to see whether or not any leaks have been repaired. It can also make you know if you’re dealing with any shingles that are weak.

Reputable contractors have insurance to cover any accidents they get into. If they don’t, don’t hire them. Ask the roofer for this advice and don’t be afraid to speak with the insurance company yourself to confirm this information.

Are you getting offered any kind of a good guarantee? You need a guarantee on the product or manufacturer’s warranty, but you should also be sure that the contractor is offering some sort of guarantee on their work. The end result is vital so ensure this is well covered in writing before work begins.

To tackle roof repairs on your own, you need someone around that can check up on you. You never want to get into an accident occurs. Have a friend or family member around that can help check on you every so often to ensure you’re doing OK.

Before agreeing for work to begin, make sure the chosen contractor has completely documented the project from beginning to end. Find out what kind of materials he uses and how he plans on cleaning up after the work is done. Be sure that you fully understand the plan they lay out for you. If you still have questions after talking to him, you should probably look for another contractor.

As previously mentioned, your roof is critical when it comes to protecting you and your home. Use the above advice to ensure you and your family are always safe. Taking care of your roof is a lot of work but remember that it is best to address problems early.