TIP! If your roof is leaking in the rain, wait til it dries to fix it. It is impossible to quickly fix a leak problem, and you are putting yourself in danger.

Your roof is the best defense you have against the outdoors. That is the reason that it is critical that you maintain it correctly. People ignore their roof until a problem arises. Use the following tips to take good care of your roof.

TIP! Never neglect safety when planning repairs on your roof. Trying to fix issues while the roof is wet can cause serious injuries, or worse.

Leaks come from having damaged shingles, but you should also inspect your roof’s foundation. If your home has dry rot in the outside walls, water can enter there. You need to be checking all entry points to make sure there is no problem.

TIP! Always consider the climate when considering roofing. A clay roof is a good choice for dry regions and can also keep the home cooler.

When repairing your roof, ensure you keep safety in mind. If it is raining outside and you attempt to make roof repairs, you may end up getting injured or worse. Just do what you can with the leak, like collecting the water in a bucket, and look at the roof later when the weather is better.

TIP! Make sure that you’re secured properly every time you climb onto your roof. It’s critical, and you can lose balance when you haven’t climbed onto a roof often; thousands are hurt or lose their life from falling each year.

Don’t try to fix your roof during wet weather. When the roof is wet or slippery, you could end up falling, causing major injury and even death. Only work on a sunny, dry day.

TIP! Always check the references of a contractor before hiring them. Once you have the references you should speak with the homeowners and see how well the job was done.

Rubber boots are an important part of any roof repair. Even if the weather is dry you don’t want to take any chances of slipping off the roof. Making your own roof repairs may require you to assume dangerous postures.

TIP! You never want to just get on your roof in search of damaged spots. Get an inspector out to do the job right.

If a roofing salesman is giving you a high pressure pitch, tell him no thank you and show him out of your home. Pushy people like this will never give up on getting you to sign with them, and the results usually aren’t pretty. Stop them before you’re pressured into something you don’t want.

TIP! Identifying the cause of leaks is frustrating but totally doable. You’ll find it if you employ a process of elimination along with a buddy system and a water hose.

If you’ve already tried to get someone to come out to fix your roof but they won’t be there for a while, then you should do what you can to fix the leak temporarily. You can nail heavy plastic to damaged areas. This is not a long-term fix, but it will give you a little time.

TIP! Never permit work to be done on your house by anyone who doesn’t conduct themselves in a very professional manner. For example, they should allow you to get a quote that has an easy to read layout before the contractor starts.

Stay away from short-term fixes for your roof. This will cause damage in the future and is not cost effective. Always fix issues quickly and completely, to avoid major issues later.

TIP! If you want to give your new roof a one-of-a-kind look, such as having a metal roof or putting up turrets, talk with the roofer about their expertise with these things. If they have less than three years of experience, you probably want to search for another contractor.

Find out about warranties from all contractors you are considering. You’re looking for a warranty which lasts between three to five years. The longer it is, the better. The warranty ought to cover poor workmanship and defective materials and needs to incorporate any manufacturer’s warranties also.

TIP! When maintaining a roof, many people neglect to check the roof boots. These are rubber components that sit near the roof fence, and they have the potential to get too dry.

As mentioned before, your roof plays a big role in keeping your family safe. Use these tips to keep your family and home safe all year long. This will be worth the effort after some time has passed.