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Everyone knows that it's important to properly maintain a roof if they want their home to be safe. The main issue is that homeowners tend to have varied knowledge of roof repair. Keep reading to gain some insight and understanding of your home's roof.

Inspect your roof at least once yearly. Your roof is most likely to incur damage during winter and spring. In that time make sure you keep an extra eye out for issues.

If you have a leak when it rains, examine it when it's dry and fix it. A wet roof is an accident waiting to happen. This will allow you the time to do the job right and do it under safe conditions.

Sometimes a leak is the result of a faulty shingle, but other times, there may be an issue with your roof's foundation. If you have dry rot on your home's sides, it can allow water to get into your home. You need to be checking all entry points to make sure there is no problem.

When working on a roof, safety must be a top priority. Trying to get a leak repaired when the weather is bad is something that could really hurt you. Use a bucket to catch the water until you can fix the problem.

Avoid fixing your roof when things are icy, snowing or raining. When you have a roof that is wet then it could cause you to fall and get hurt pretty badly. Therefore, you should only work on your roof when the weather is good.

Wear shoes with rubber soles whenever you need to get on top of your roof. Wear your boots even if the weather is clear. You never know what you will encounter on the roof, and what you will have to do, so good footwear is essential.

There are a number of questions you should ask your roofer before you sign the contract. A good question might be how many nails are going to be used in each shingle. Typically, three nails will not work. Ask them about what their methods are to see if the answer they give is satisfactory. If you don't get the right answers, walk away.

You never want to pay for everything upfront if it isn't necessary. A 25% deposit is typical, but you shouldn't pay anything over that until the work is completed. It could be a sign that their work will be sub-par or that they are trying to scam you.

When it comes to your roof, you should stay away from quick-fixes. Sure, you'll spend less money up front. However, this often leads to worsened conditions and a hefty price. Always fix issues quickly and completely, to avoid major issues later.

You should never go crawling around your roof seeking out damaged spots. If you have been having any issues, hire someone to come out and take a look at it. Your roof could cave if you walk over a damaged area.

The age of your roof often determines if it's time to have it replaced. 20 year old roofs are typically at the end of their lives. If the roof you have now covered the old roof, you are going to have to get a new one after 20 years.

Are you environmentally conscious and seeking a new roof? If so, consider a living roof. Living roofs include soil layers that can be home to plants of many types. This is only appropriate for flat roofs in a certain type of climate, but it provides great insulation.

Never cut corners when purchasing roofing materials. The initial savings will not only go away, but will likely end up costing more than if you would have used high-quality materials in the first place. Cheap materials don't last as long and you will pay additional labor costs to replace them again.

When selecting professional roofers, it pays to contact the BBB. Doing this will let you see any complaints that previous customers may have had with the contractor. The Chamber of Commerce for your location is another good place to seek information on contractors.

Avoid entering into verbal contracts that have not been written. In many cases, folks get into verbal agreements with roofers, only to have problems down the road. A thorough, written contract is the most efficient way to ensure the job is completed when and how it should be completed.

Talk to family, friends and co-workers about recommendations when you need a roofer. This is one of the best ways to find someone reliable and honest. If you've worked with area contractors in the past, they might also be able to recommend someone to you. They may at least have the ability to send you to the right people.

There is no doubt how important a roof is to safeguarding your family and home. This is why it's so important to know how to take care of your roof. With any luck, this article has provided you with good knowledge about maintaining the well-being of your roof.