Content written by-Nance Bengtsen

Roofing maintenance is an important aspect of managing your household. However, your roof is one of the most important components of your home. Without it, you are not protected from extreme weather conditions. This article provides all the tips you need when it comes to your roof.

Never hesitate to replace your roof's shingles. It may seem like a great idea to wait a while to fix a problem, but damage will worsen as time passes. Repairing or replacing shingles right away will save you money and a headache in the long run. By taking care of your roof properly, it will take care of you.

While it may sound backwards, one of the best times to find a leak is when it's completely dry out. Keep an eye out for things like mold in corners, unusually dark ceiling tiles, and damp insulation. You can use these things to guide you to the spot the leak is coming from.




When fixing a leak on your roof, be sure all repairs are done at the same time. This often means searching for other leaks after the initial spot has been fixed. You might find several spots to repair after inspecting your whole roof.

When you are checking out a roofing company find out about their experience. Try asking them how long they have been in business. If they have been doing business for at least a few years, that usually means that they are established and that they have a solid understanding of roofing systems and techniques.

Never try to repair a roof in the rain or snow. Climbing onto a roof when the weather is poor could result in injury or even death. Instead, do your best to contain the leak from inside your home with tarps and buckets, and wait until the weather improves before climbing on to the roof.

Do not ask your roofer to work on your gutters. This is not their area of expertise and they are likely to mess up. Therefore, simply focus on having them do your roof, and if your gutters need to be replaced as a result, find someone to do that job that specializes in it.

Make sure that any contractor you hire to fix your roof is licensed and bonded. Do not take their word for it since they may be dishonest with you. Ask them to show you proof that they are licensed, and do not hesitate to call around and make sure everything is valid.

Don't talk to just one roofer. Your co-worker may have raved over a contractor, and you may have been offered an amazing deal, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't get multiple estimates. Encourage multiple contractors to put in bids for the job. When people are competing for the work, you're going to get better offers.

Roofing companies should always be asked for references if you're thinking of doing business with them. A reliable company won't mind giving you references. Go with another company if you find one that will not provide you with references. This is a red flag.

To get more years out of your roof, make sure to regularly clear away things like accumulated leaves and twigs. Build up of such materials causes water to stay put. When water sits on your roof, the shingle's bottom layers with probably rot and those are expensive repairs.

Always make sure you ask every question you have in mind before letting someone work on your roof. This will allow you to get the full scope of the job. If any contractor can not or will not answer any questions you have, you probably do not want to work with them.

A few times a year, go into the attic and check out your insulation. If you find any of it is damp, you have a leak from the roof. While Get More may not have noticed any problems from below, checking the insulation will ensure that no further damage will be caused as you can fix the leak immediately.

Make sure you install a ridge vent into your roof so as to prevent dry rot from occurring. Contrary to popular belief, dry rot is not caused by water damage, but rather a lack of ventilation. Installing a ridge vent will ensure that your roof is properly ventilated throughout the year.

Shingles can get damaged from time to time and it is important to fix or replace them when that happens. If a shingle can not be repaired, it should be replaced. Simply place a flat shovel under the shingle that sits above the one that is damaged. This can loosen the nails. Then, you can pull out the nail and take off the ruined shingle.

One of the main reasons for roof leaks are due to clogged gutters. When you don't clean your gutters regularly, you allow water to buildup whenever it rains. This in turn, can cause leaks to occur. Be sure and clean your gutters of all debris regularly so as to prevent this from happening.

After taking bids from a variety of contractors, don't just go with the lowest offer. It is just one factor to consider. You also need to take into consideration the contractor's reputation, what you sense when dealing with the company and how long the job will take to complete. Just going with the lowest estimate can cost you in the long run.

Those who are working on their roof, would be wise to always watch where they step. While it may be tempting to look out over the vast view that your roof provides, you could easily trip over something and fall. Always keep your eyes ahead of where you will be stepping.

When inspecting your roof for leaks, do not neglect to check the valleys. A roof's valley is an area where two roofs intersect together. Due to gravity, water naturally settles onto these places, causing the water to slosh back and forth. This results in added pressure onto the valley, resulting in leaks.

When hiring a contractor, always obtain an estimate. Ensure this estimate provides a complete cost breakdown of all the costs you will likely incur. This estimate should show contact information for the site manager, material costs, number of workers, start date, end date, and additional services. You should check out several different contractors instead of just one. Find out the average estimate, and if a contractor's price varies from the average by a large amount, regardless of whether it is far above or far below the average, you should question them. If they provide a solid reason, you can hire them; otherwise, look elsewhere.

Now that you've found out more about roofing, you should feel much better prepared and comfortable with moving forward. It is time to put a new roof on that home, and you're now ready to do just that. Keep what you've read here in mind as you make your selections and watch the new roof go up.