When thinking of maintaining a home, it’s something most people don’t enjoy. It is a chore, and often times you’ll put certain things off. However, something that you always need to do is maintain your roof properly. Your roof is your home’s best source of protection from the elements, so you must do whatever it takes to make sure everything is in good condition. This article is going to teach you the things that you need to know.

Safety should always be your primary concern when repairing a roof. Attempting leak repairs during rainstorms can cause serious injuries. Place a bucket under the leak until the weather clears up, then go have a look at your roof to see if you can repair the problem.

Have safety precautions in place when going on your roof. It is possible to fall, particularly if you haven’t been on the roof very often, resulting in very severe injury.

When you’re trying to hire someone to do roofing work for you, you need to check on their background references. Swing by the homes the contractor worked on to check their quality. You should also go and check out some of their previous work. Walk or drive past the homes to check out the roof and, if homeowners are outside, stop to ask some questions.

Before you sign any contract, make sure you ask certain questions of a roofer. A good question might be how many nails are going to be used in each shingle. Generally, three nails are not enough. Ask them about their work, and really consider the answers. If you are not happy with their response, find another roofer.

Speak with people that you know to find the best contractors. Ask them about their experience with roofers, whether or not they were satisfied with the quality of service and the price of the job. As about how clean they were, too.

Any salesman that has to use too much pressure to make a sale should be considered suspect and you should look for another. These people will not stop annoying you until you sign their contract and you will always lose, so stop it before it starts.

Only hire an experienced contractor. Look into who knows them – even ask your family and friends for their opinions. This needs to be done because it’s not good to have to deal with a bad roofing job that costs you a lot to repair later on.

Roofing contractors should have full, reliable credentials. Generally, any roofer you hire will need to have a current and valid license. Roofers should also have liability insurance and an up to date worker’s comp certificate.

The age of your roof is a good indication of whether it needs replacing or not. 20 year old roofs are typically at the end of their lives. 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.

Check your roofing materials thoroughly before installation. Many leaks actually originate from basic installation, with cracked shingles or nails that are an improper length to begin with. Check every inch of your shingles to maintain high quality.

Ask about the warranties that you can get for the work done. Some companies will have better deals than others. In addition, always get a warranty in writing, along with the estimate, so that you have the information in your possession. This will allow you to clear up any disagreements that may occur at a later time.

If you’re unable to find where a leak is coming from in your roof, don’t get upset. You will eventually find the source using process of elimination or by using your water hose with a friend’s help. As you aim the hose at different areas of the roof, have your assistant look for signs of leakage. Use a cell phone to communicate with each other.

As mentioned, it can be a real chore to maintain your roof. However, it is very important to ensure the safety and protection of your home. Use what you’ve read to tackle issues that you encounter. Your hard work will pay off.