Your roof is what protects you and your home from the elements at all times. For this reason, you need to make sure it is properly maintained. Many homeowners neglect roofs until the issues are major. Maintain your roof by using the tips below.

Don’t hesitate when it comes to replacing shingles. You may be tempted to delay repairs, but you will only end up with worse damage. Fixing shingles immediately will actually save you bigger bucks down the line. Plus there will be a lot less headache. Your roof will last longer if it is maintained well.

Leaks often come from shingles, but don’t discount a foundation problem as well. If the sides of your home have dry rot, water can enter your home there. Check all areas to make sure that there is no deterioration.

Always make safety your first priority when it comes to fixing your roof. Fixing a leak while in the middle of the storm can cause you serious injury. Put a bucket where it’s leaking and wait for clear weather.

Always remember the rubber boots if you are going up to work on your roof. Although the weather may be perfect, your roof is still very slippery; therefore, you need these boots to ensure you have the best grip on your roof. Working on your roof is akin to a balancing act, and it’s often hard to maintain a good foothold. Safety first.

Mow your lawn before the contractor comes to remove your roof. This enables them to find nails much easier should they fall during the job. Short grass, combined with magnetic nail finders, makes locating nails even simpler.

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 are generally shady and try to make you sign a contract that has you losing out on things so it’s a good idea to not allow yourself to work with them.

When hiring a contractor to work on your roof, do your homework. Don’t just think that you should hire the first person that you find or one that’s the cheapest. Instead you need to look around at different roofing companies where you live. Look online, ask friends for recommendations, or use a professional service to find trustworthy workers for your project.

Liability Insurance

When choosing a roofer to work on your home, be sure they have liability insurance. First, a roofer with liability insurance is a good sign that he is dependable. Secondly, if a worker sustains injury on the job, the roofer’s insurance will cover medical costs.

Unless you are required to, do not pay up front. Although paying approximately 25% of the cost upfront may be necessary, avoid paying more than this amount. You wouldn’t want them to perform less work than you anticipated.

Don’t install new shingles until you’ve gone over your roofing materials. Too short or too long nails or weak shingles can lead to leaks. Check every inch of your shingles to maintain high quality.

If you think your roof is leaking, spray it with a garden hose. Doing this will help you find out if a leak exists, and will help you figure out where it is. You will not have to spend money on a contractor just to find out.

If your roof is not visible from the ground, climb up and inspect it following a big storm. It is important to catch shingle damage early since a few coming off can mean huge leaks. Inspect your roof quickly after heavy storms and at the end of winter.

Ask a ton of questions when hiring a roofer. The worst thing is that you do not ask a question and then it becomes a problem later on. If your potential contractor waffles on any questions, look in another direction.

Home maintenance is hard work and the one area that many owners neglect are the roof boots. Rubber boots are where your roof fence rises, and they easily dry out. If this happens then it can cause leaks which is why they need to be checked on and replaced when necessary.

Get all paperwork to your contractor well before they are scheduled to start working. Bonds and permits may be needed prior to starting the job. Call your local building department so you can find out what they need before they can start.

A roofer that is not licensed in your locale should never be hired. If the work does not turn out as promised, you will have no recourse available. Do you know what paying more than $1,000 to a contractor without a license means? In some states, it is actually illegal to hire an unlicensed contractor over a certain amount of money.

In most cases, you should avoid painting a roof. One coat of paint might be enough to void the roof’s warranty. Contact the company that takes care of your insurance before you start any kind of work on your roof. A new roof that is not protected doesn’t mean a lot.

Get in touch with the BBB before hiring any roofer. A reputable, professional company will always have a listing with the BBB while a below-average contractor likely won’t. The Better Business Bureau is there for the safety of consumers and should be used to its maximum advantage.

As you can see, properly maintaining your roof is essential if you want to keep yourself and your property safe. Whether you need to fix the problem yourself or hire a contractor, you know what it takes to get the job done. This will be worth the effort after some time has passed.