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Repairs on the roof may not be enough to stop those leaks and solve all of your problems. Sometimes an entire replacement is needed to fix the underlying problems with your home. Use this article to determine whether it's time to replace or time to repair the roof over your head.

If you discover a leak in your roof while it's raining, wait until it's dry to examine and repair the leak. It's too dangerous to work on a wet and slippery roof. When you know the roof has had time to dry, it's safe to work on it.

When it comes to maintaining your roof, make sure that you keep your gutters clean. Clear them of any fallen leaves, twigs and other debris so that water can flow freely from your roof. If you don't adequately clean out your gutters regularly you may become prone to flooding problems.

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You might need a quick solution, but understand that a "quick fix" and an actual repair are two different things. Throwing together a messy solution is never better than hiring a professional or doing the job right yourself. Roofing takes patience and practice, but if you can't get the job done 100% alone, call the professionals.

Get the paperwork in order before hiring a contractor. Often, a contractor needs to have bonds and permits in place before they can legally work on your roof. Call your local building department so you can find out what they need before they can start.

Think about how old your roof is, to know whether you need to have it replace or just get a repair. Your roof's age is the most important factor in deciding when it's time to call in a professional contractor for a replacement. Roofs should be replaced every twenty years. If you have not done any repairs on your roof over the past twenty years, you should look into replacing it.

Make smart roofing decisions to save money on your home insurance. Quality materials save you money in the long run, but certain features really cause the savings to add up. For example, using fire-resistant materials can earn a hefty discount. In some areas, impact-resistant materials translate to even more savings.

Keeping your roof in tip-top shape is essential. Put the advice in this article into practice so that your roof will remain in good condition. Investing even a little time and effort may save thousands of dollars and untold stress.