Content author-Leslie Bennett

Your roof's job is to keep your home safe from the weather. If you've got roof problems, bad weather puts your home at risk. You will save money in the long term if you learn a few things about roofing. There are plenty of tips here to help you prepare for the road ahead.

When working on a roof, safety must be a top priority. A quick way to seriously injure yourself is to try to work on your roof in wet conditions. Keep web page underneath any leaks until you have improved weather and then go inspect your roof.

If you are seeking out a leak on your roof, use a hose to find where the problem is. If you aren't having any luck, reverse the direction of the water. If you're pouring it down the roof, try spraying it up the roof. Continue to move the water around until the leak is found.

Be secured as you traverse the 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.

If someone comes to your door and offers you a free roof, question their motives. Don't let them up onto your roof - instead, call your insurance agency and ask them to inspect the roof. Until the insurer says you need, and will be covered for, a new roof, don't sign anything.

If you are looking for a dimensional look to your roof, architectural shingles can provide this. Instead of a flat appearance, architectural shingles provide "pop" to your roof. Each shingle is layered, giving the final product a very dimensional and intriguing look. Be sure to pick a quality architectural shingle for a longer sustained roof.

Always research a roofing company before you allow them to do any work on your roof. You want to call up the Better Business Bureau or visit their website to see if there are any complaints. Search online and see if anyone has left a review about the company as well. If you don't do this, you could end up getting with a company that does terrible work.

There are several factors to consider when choosing a roofing material. For example, asphalt shingles tend to be the cheapest, but they deteriorate quickly and aren't environmentally friendly. Wood shingles are attractive and last a long time, but must be fire treated. Think about what's most important to you and your budget when considering your material.







Be sure to inspect the valleys on your roof if you are experiencing a leak anywhere in your home. A valley is where two corners meet, forming a ridge. It is here where water or snow can pool, creating erosion of the roofing materials faster than anywhere else. Check the tiles there first to make sure they are not damaged or for any debris that may be blocking drainage.

Avoid ice build-up on your roof in the winter time. This potentially devastating situation occurs when snow begins to melt close to the interior lining of your home, then freezes, creating a seal. That ice can remain for a long period of time with low temperatures and create leaks and warping. Proper ventilation and insulation should remedy the problem.

Try spraying your roof down with your garden hose in order to find the leak. Remember, however, that this trick is only good idea during the warmer months. Doing apex roofing in the winter is hazardous, and can lead to further damage to your roof in the mean time. Be sure to have someone inside while the roof is being sprayed so that you are sure to find the culprit.

Take your time when choosing a roofer because it is not an easy decision to make. Ask people you trust for referrals. Ask lots of questions in order to determine the reputation of all prospective firms.

Don't pay in full for your roof prior to installation. It's not a sign of good faith for a company to want all the money up front. In fact many scam artists follow this technique and then never do any work. Because of this, you should only pay a small percentage upfront. Only pay the rest when the contractor has completed the work.

If you find that any of your shingles have small cracks, you should fix them as soon as possible. The fix is not too complicated. You can use a small bit of roofing cement to trowel into the cracks. Then, if there are any smears, wipe them with solvent.

Make sure your roof is well ventilated. Without good ventilation, heat and humidity will be able to do some serious damage to your roof. You can improve your roof by adding additional events, or by adding a single power vent. As long as your roof has room to breathe, you'll be in good shape.

Always make sure your roofing contractor carries the proper insurance. Roofing can be dangerous work, and you want to make sure your contractor is covered in case of an emergency. If he is not, the cost could fall on you or your homeowners insurance. Ask to see the policy, and don't just take his word for it.

Ask your roofer if they are willing to give you a guarantee for the work they are doing for you. If they hesitate, this may be because their work is not as good as they claim it is. In the event that they agree to a guarantee, make sure that you get it in writing.

While it's important to address roofing problems right away, you should always put off work if the weather is bad. Working on a roof during a storm is incredibly dangerous, and the benefits of getting work done right away aren't worth the risk. Take care of problems when you see them, but don't do work until the weather is safe.

While you should give your gutter periodic deep cleanings, there are certain things you should get away from your gutter the moment you see them. Litter, twigs, and pine needles are all big clogging culprits, and knocking them out of the way will help you prevent problems with your own gutter.

As was mentioned earlier in this article, most people don't know anything about proper roof maintenance. However, you should now have a better idea of what you need to do in order to maintain your roof. Taking the steps illustrated above will lessen the chances of you experiencing any truly bad problems in the future.