The cost of a new roof varies based on the materials used, but also the skill of the contractor who installs them. Start with an inspection from a trustworthy company, then work with them to choose a material that suits your needs. Remember, cheaper isn't always better -- high end roofs can last three times as long as shoddy ones.

Most residential roofing projects take a few days to complete.

Wood roofs generally last for twenty-five years, composite roofs for thirty years, and flat roofs for ten years. Twenty years is considered an acceptable service life by many professional roofers. Your roof's lifespan also depends on the skill of the roofers who installed it and how often it's cleaned.

Of course. Plenty of people do it -- along with fixing their own cars, plumbing their bathrooms, all while pouring a new concrete driveway. For the rest of us, statistics from the Bureau of Labor show that roofing is the fourth deadliest job in America. It's six times as dangerous as firefighting and police work, and twice as dangerous as electrical line work. Hire a professional and rest easy knowing that your roof is in experienced hands.

There are many materials available, each with its own set of tradeoffs between cost, durability, and appearance. An easy way to get a quick idea of the best material for your situation is to take a look around your neighborhood at the types and styles of roof. A more in depth option is to visit a local roofing supplier's yard. Most suppliers have showrooms and samples that you can look at and take him.

Unless the roof has already reached the end of its lifespan, it can be repaired. However, this may not be the most cost-effective option -- often, it is cheaper in the long run to replace a low-quality roof with a high-quality one.

Yes, especially if the snow melts partially on a warm area of the roof, runs to cold areas, and refreezes. This is known as an ice dam and the repeated melting/reformation of ice can cause significant damage. The best protection for ice dams is a well-ventilated roof with high-quality materials.

Under no circumstances should you powerwash a composite roof. Doing so will remove the granules that provide the roof with its longevity and expose it to harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

Most roof problems are discovered after the roof begins leaking or accumulates other damage. However, yearly inspections can provide advance warning. Even if you think your roof is intact, an inspection may still turn up cracked, warped, or missing shingles, loose seams, deteriorating flashings, or granule loss. These issues represent a long-term threat to the health of your roof and should not be ignored.

Clear Vision Construction offers a free inspection service.

Roof leaks occur for many reasons. The most common ones are relatively minor: loose flashing, missing flashing, or localized damage. These issues can be fixed without replacing the entire roof. If you are experiencing leaks in multiple places, that may be a sign that your entire roof was improperly installed, uses the wrong materials, or has reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced completely.