Common roof repairs aren’t always obvious. You can’t inspect your roof from the ground, and, even if you climb up on the roof, a very treacherous move, you likely don’t know what to look for when you get up there. Roof repairs aren’t a project for the do-it-yourself homeowner. If you suspect damage, you need to hire a professional with experience in roofing, or you could end up needing a whole new roof.

Although some roofs sustain storm damage and require replacing, most often homeowners find roofs in need of repair due to age. Wind, rain, sun, snow, and ice all take their toll on your home’s roof over the years. Flashing can become damaged, letting water seep into your roof’s vulnerable spots, such as chimneys and vents, and shingles can come loose, gutters can back up and downspouts become clogged. The key to preventing serious damage to your home, and your bank account, is to have your roof inspected, and repairs made, before things become serious.

If your home is over 20 years old, you may begin seeing tell-tale signs of wear and tear. Some common signs are missing shingles, shingle coating (the granules on the exterior of the shingles) in your gutters and downspouts, water stains on your ceiling, and overflowing gutters. Extreme discoloration, mildew, or obvious rot are all signs of an aging roof and require the trained eye of a professional in order to determine the extent of the damage.