The most important part of your home or building is the roof over your head. It protects you and your possessions, and can enhance the beauty of your property. Too often it is taken for granted that as long as a roof isn't leaking, it must be in good condition. To minimize roof repair bills, you must prevent damage before it occurs. This means inspecting your roof twice a year inside and out. Once in the fall, just before the winter weather begins, to check for sun damage and to clear the gutters and valleys of leaves and other debris. Then again in the spring when you'll want to inspect for damage the winter months may have caused.

Generally the first sign of roof trouble is a leak. You may notice stains or dampness. More obvious signs of trouble will be raised or broken shingles, a loss of mineral granules in the shingles or dark-looking spots in the sheathing. Next, look at the roof surface for signs of wear, checking the shingles for warping, cupping, looseness or rot. Scan the roof for any shingles that may have been lifted by the wind or are missing altogether. Bumps can indicate that the roofing nails below have become loose. Your contractor will also check for any broken or rusty nails that have come up through the shingles.

On asphalt roofs, you'll want to look for bald spots where the mineral granules have worn away. With wood shingles, check for curled, broken, and split shingles and for spots where nails have become loose or rusted. Wood shakes show their age when wood crumbles easily between your fingers.

In valleys and in flashings around the chimney and vents, check for broken seals along the flashings' edges and for rust spots in the metal. If you have metal gutters and downspouts, look for rust spots that have either weakened the metal or worn holes through it.

If your roof is several years old and the problems you've found are minimal, repairs may be all you need. If your roof is beyond repair or repair costs are excessive, re-roofing is the best solution, regardless of the age of your roof.