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A typical roof lasts about 15 years, but not without upkeep. It's a must to keep any roof maintained properly. Read on to find some of the things you should know about roofing. Struggling With Your Roof? Try These Tips!

Roofing Tips You Can Put Into Practice Today Wet conditions are the enemy of safe and effective roof work. If your roof is slippery and wet, you may fall, causing bad injuries or perhaps death. Wait for sunny weather before you work on your roof.

Never hire a roofing contractor who cannot provide references. When they give references, ask homeowners that they've worked for about how they felt, in terms of their quality and work value. You should also make it a point to have a look at some of these homes yourself. You can drive by their other houses and check them out so you know if you want to hire them.

Always research the contractor that you are considering for your roofing job. Don't just hire the cheapest guy or the first one you find. Instead, find out about the roofers and their reputation. You can look online, ask your friends, or use a service that helps find trusted workers for you.

When climbing on the roof, it is important that you stay safe. This is key, because you can easily lose your balance, which can result in serious injury or death.

If you're looking to hire a contractor to work on your roof, be sure and look at their references. Once you have the references you should speak with the homeowners and see how well the job was done. Talk to these people to get a good idea of the quality, and drive by the house to take a look at the work. Swing past and take your own look.

When you pick a roofer, make sure they carry liability insurance. Roofers with this kind of insurance are more reliable than others. Secondly, if something were to get damaged while your roof was being worked on, their insurance company would cover the costs.

Make sure your materials are in good condition. Leaks often occur quickly due to improper installation. Ensure the shingles have no cracks and make sure that your nails can secure the shingles to the structure.

Unless you are required to, do not pay up front. A downpayment of about 25% is all that should be needed to get them started on the job. It could be a sign that their work will be sub-par or that they are trying to scam you.

Always check a potential roofing company's references. Any good company will oblige you by providing references. If the company is dodgy about references, you should ditch them quickly. This is definitely a bad sign.

Get references from roofing companies you may hire. A company that is honest is going to always be glad to give you a few references. If the company is dodgy about references, you should ditch them quickly. This is an indication that there may be trouble ahead.

Your roof needs regular maintenance, just like any other piece of your home. Just remember what you have learned, and you will be able to handle just about issue that arises. Never allow your roof to get you down.