TIP! Inspect your own roof annually. Spring and winter are the two seasons when roofs are most damaged.

Roofing can be a very complicated subject to try to understand. What’s the best way to find a leak? When do you need a professional? This article will talk about all of this information in detail. This article contains many useful tips.

TIP! When fixing roof leaks, make sure the whole problem is fixed. This means you’re not going to want to only stop on the first place you locate that has problems.

Look at your roof closely once a year. Spring and winter are the two seasons when roofs are most damaged. In that time make sure you keep an extra eye out for issues.

TIP! Ask your friends and relatives for references if you need a new contractor. Inquire about the contractors they may have used and how the project proceeded as well as the general costs of such work.

Roof foundations may be the cause of your leaks so don’t only assume it is the shingles. If your home is showing signs of dry rot, your house is vulnerable to water intrusion. Just checking the roof is not enough. Consider all the other possible places that water can get in so that you end the problem completely.

TIP! Don’t use remedies that only work for short periods of time when dealing with roof repairs. While it may seem like a cheaper choice, it can actually result in more damage in the future, costing you a whole lot more money.

Make sure that your grass is cut before the project begins. Shorter grass will make it easier to locate and pick up any nails that are removed from the roofing materials. If you get a contractor that has a nail finder with magnets on it, it will work better in shorter grasses.

TIP! You should never climb on your roof and try finding damaged areas yourself. If you think there are problems, hire a professional to do an inspection.

When you hire a roofing contractor, you must look at their background references. Ask previous customers whether they are satisfied with the work done and the price paid. It’s a good idea to check out the work for your own peace of mind. Drive around and look at the work before determining who you will hire.

TIP! When hiring a contractor, ensure he has the proper licenses. If you lack the knowledge to tell the difference, do not rely on the roofer’s own representations.

Check that a prospective roofing contractor carries 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.

TIP! Insurance is vital with roofing. If you have a roofer that isn’t insured and causes property damage, you may end up paying that bill.

You should be careful when you attempt to look for problems on your roof. If you have been having any issues, hire someone to come out and take a look at it. The roof may cave in, which could cause serious injury.

TIP! The age of your roof is a major factor in deciding whether it needs replacing. The average lifespan of a roof is about 20 years.

Make sure any contractor you are considering has insurance. In the event that a roofer damages anything on your property and is not insured, it’s up to you to pay for it. Do not just ask if a prospective roofer has insurance, ask them to provide you with the documentation that their insurance is current and comprehensive as well.

TIP! Discuss warranty options with any potential contractor. You may find a better warranty with another company.

If you want to know if you should replace your roof, you have to take its age into consideration. The average lifespan of a roof is about 20 years. Therefore, once your roof reaches this age, you need to replace it in order to prevent damage to your home.

TIP! Ask for some references from prospective roofing companies. Companies with nothing to hide will be capable of showing you plenty of references.

Closely inspect all roofing materials before installing shingles. A lot of leaks come from just installing the roof because shingles are cracked or nails aren’t the correct size. Be sure your shingles are sturdy and without cracks and make sure your nails are long enough to secure the shingles properly.

TIP! Don’t get frustrated if you’re unable to locate where a leak is originating from. You’ll find it if you employ a process of elimination along with a buddy system and a water hose.

It’s impossible to become a roofing guru in a single day, but this article is a good start. You should now know how to properly maintain your roof and identify potential problems. Continue doing research on your own. Don’t stop learning all you can about roofing. You’ll better understand what to do when something bad does happen, which it inevitably will.