If your roof is in good condition, it will keep out weather elements like snow, wind and rain. If your roof isn’t doing what it is supposed to, it can cause damage to many other ares of your house. By caring for your roof properly you can be sure that future troubles are avoided. The article below contains tips that will help.

Don’t hesitate to replace shingles. You might think it’s okay to wait on fixing something, however, the damage will worsen over time. If you tackle the issue immediately, you could wind up saving yourself a lot of money. Maintaining your roof means it will last much longer for you.

Remember: safety first. A quick way to seriously injure yourself is to try to work on your roof in wet conditions. Use a bucket to catch the water until you can fix the problem.

Don’t try to fix your roof during wet weather. A slippery or wet roof could cause you to fall; this may result in a bad injury or worse. If you want to handle roofing projects on your own, make sure to do the work when the weather is dry.

There are some questions you need to ask the roofer before you hire him. For example, see how many nails they’re going to be putting into the shingles. Generally, three nails are not enough. Ask them about the procedures that they will be using. If not, look somewhere else.

If your roofer is a few days away from attending at your home, there are temporary repairs you can undertake. Get yourself a piece of heavy plastic and you can nail that over the leaking area. While not ideal, it will provide a temporary solution for you.

Inquire about warranties to narrow down your contractor list. You want at least a 3-5 year warranty. Defective supplies and shoddy workmanship should be covered along with the warranties from the manufacturer.

Any roofer you are considering using must have the proper license to do business. If you don’t know what’s required of the area, don’t just trust the roofer’s word. Check your local building department and call them to find out what is necessary.

A living roof is a great option for those trying to live a “greener” life. This type of roof has soil that can grow vegetation. Although it only works well in good climates and on a roof that’s flat, it’s a great form of insulation as well.

When choosing a roofing contractor, consider how long they have been in business. A new company is not necessarily bad, but a company with a long history of happy customers is your best and safest bet. Companies that are new or don’t have an established history may simply be scam artists who want your money.

Never cut corners when purchasing roofing materials. Even if cheap materials are easily available to you, the cost of repairing them may mean you end up actually paying much more. You do get what you pay for and it’s not worth the risk when it comes to the roof over your head.

If you want to redesigned your roof, for instance by installing a metal roof or getting some turrets, find a contractor who has worked on similar projects before. No experience? No way. This is an important issue that you need a professional for.

Find out whether the roofer you want to hire is available to do yearly maintenance on the roof. Even a perfectly executed roofing project can incur damage later on. This is especially true in parts of the country with extreme heat or cold. Annual inspections can keep the roof in great shape.

There is no doubt that getting on your roof can prove dangerous. The angles of a roof are not designed for walking, so you should take appropriate safety steps. Rubber sole shoes should be worn so that you don’t slip and fall. You should also consider wearing a harness. Finally, always have a friend or family member assisting you.

Be certain you understand basic roofing before you hire a roofing company. Before speaking with a contractor, gain a basic knowledge of the various types of roofing available. This will give you an advantage when it comes to talking with a contractor.

Not all roofers are created equally, so choose one with care. Don’t choose your roofer based on a fancy advertisement. Word of mouth advertisement is the best a company can get. Speak with friends or look at online reviews. Check the contractor’s reputation with local business groups. Choosing the wrong contractor can be very costly.

Make sure to consider your area’s climate as you select roofing materials. One example would be that wood shingles aren’t going to do good in an environment that’s arid. A lot of synthetic and modern materials for roofing don’t do very well if the climate is hot. Metal roofs run into trouble with long, hard winters. You may even talk to a contractor to assure your choice with the smart one.

Beware any roofing contractor who is unable to prove that he is properly licensed and insured. When the work is sub-par, you’ll have no recourse. Hiring someone who is not licensed can lead to serious problems. In most places, you’re going to be breaking the law if you do this!

Anyone that has had to do any kind of work on the roof is going to tell you that it’s a hard job and has to be done properly to avoid any trouble. Using the tips above, you can save yourself a lot of trouble. Use what you’ve just learned to care for your roof and keep it in great shape.