Having to deal with any major roof repair doesn’t rank up there as being fun for a homeowner. You should look into getting your roof fixed before small problems get any worse. Devoting even a few hours here and there to the maintenance of your roof can spare you time and money further down the road. Look to these tips to help you know how to proceed.

Never work on your roof if the weather outside is rainy, snowy or icy. If your roof is slippery, you’ll likely fall and sustain an injury. Therefore, you should only work on your roof when the weather is good.

Whenever you have to climb up onto your roof to work, wear rubber boots. Even if the weather is warm and dry, such shoes are necessary for grip. Do not put yourself in dangerous positions when on the roof.

Don’t pay up front! You might need to pay a quarter of the entire price in order for work to commence, but see if you can pay only that. If they’ve already been paid in full, they may be tempted to do an inferior job.

Stay away from short-term fixes for your roof. It’s cheap, but will lead to expensive problems. Remember that an aggressive, complete repair job is always the more cost-effective solution in the long run. It will keep little problems from snowballing into big ones.

As you narrow down the field of possible roofing contractors to hire, make sure that you learn about each one’s warranty offers. Don’t contract with anyone who offers a warranty of less than three years. Five or more years is ideal. You’ll want a warranty that’ll cover things such as issues with the materials or workmanship. You’ll also want a copy of the manufacturer’s warranties.

Any roofer you are considering using must have the proper license to do business. If you do not know what licenses are required, don’t simply take your roofer’s word. Check your local building department and call them to find out what is necessary.

The age of your roof is a good indication as to whether it should be replaced. Most roofs only have twenty years or so before they must be replaced. If your current roof is installed over an older layer of roofing, you are going to have to redo your roofing in 20 years.

Before you actually start installing new shingles, be sure to carefully examine your materials. Many leaks actually originate from basic installation, with cracked shingles or nails that are an improper length to begin with. Make sure all shingles do not have cracks and are strong, and that your nails are long enough to penetrate the shingle completely and secure them to the roof.

Don’t neglect your roof if it’s your goal to keep your upkeep costs and maintenance time down to a minimum. To do so could have disastrous effects in the future. Your best bet is to take responsibility for the care and maintenance of your roof. Doing this will result in lots of savings well into the future.