When you own a home, you own all the responsibilities that come with it. You have to do your own maintenance, and it can be stressful to weigh benefits and costs. The following article can be used to help out whether you should hire a professional contractor or take on the task yourself.

Don't hesitate to replace shingles. You might think it's wise to wait on fixing something, however, the damage will just get worse in time. By immediately replacing your shingles, you can save a lot of money and problems in the future. If you maintain your roof, it'll last you a long time.

Roof foundations may be the cause of your leaks so don't only assume it is the shingles. Water can get into your home anywhere that dry rot has occurred. Look to every area that could be an entry point,including any area with rotted wood, so that you can fix the problem for good.

Don't go up on your roof in inclement weather. If your roof is slippery, you'll likely fall and sustain an injury. The best time for do-it-yourself roof work is on warm, sunny days.

As far as roofing goes, you need to think about the climate. If your climate is dry, clay roofs are an excellent option because of their ability to cool a house. Clay does not do well in wet climates and can damage a roof pretty quickly. If you have questions about this, you can inquire with a roofing professional.

Don't walk around your roof alone. If you have issues, try hiring a roofing contractor to stop by and look at the spots. A damaged roof is not a safe place for an unexperienced homeowner.

Sometimes a contractor with his own workers can be more cost effective than a contractor who has no workers. Having an entire team of roofers means the job will get done quicker, so it will cost less. If you are hiring a single roofer, be sure that you aren't overcharged for labor.

The age of your roof is the most important factor in deciding whether to repair or replace it. Roofs usually have a maximum of twenty years before they need to be replaced. Some homes have been fitted with a new roof right on top of the old one; if you're in this situation it may be time to tear both off and start fresh.

You don't want to forget the small things when you're hiring a roofer. People that are always on time or who call when they promise to are good things to look for in a contractor. Do they provide you with a typed bid? It is important that the roofer you hire has these two qualities.

Only hire people who are professionals at every step. For instance, all contractors need to give you typed quotes with all the costs itemized. The more professional the contractor, the more professional the work they do should be.

If you want an environmentally-friendly roof, try getting a coated metal roof. Coated metal is recyclable, and you will notice a big reduction in your energy bills. Unlike most roofing options, a metal roof can be installed on top of an old roof, meaning the old roof will not have to be removed.

When maintaining a roof, many people neglect to check the roof boots. These rubber boots are located where the roof fence comes up and they can dry out. When they do, you are very susceptible to leaks so be sure to check on them and replace if necessary.

When trying to decide if you can handle the roofing work yourself or if you need a professional, you must first understand the basics of roofing. You've started the right way by reading this, but learning more options can help you. Keep these tips in mind to make good decisions.