Storm Damage - one or two rough storms may be manageable, but over the years extreme weather events will take its toll on your roof; checking for damage after each storm season can help you identify damaged areas needing attention

Heavy Rains - no matter how well weather-proofed your roof may be, constant heavy rains can slowly erode caulking, rust flashing, and soak into depressed areas, such as where nails have been hammered

Wind Damage - consistent gale-force winds, even when considered non-severe (between 39 to 54 miles per hour) can rip loosened shingles off the rooftop, while storm winds (from 55 to 63 miles per hour) can cause structural damage to your roof

Age - time will take its toll, whether we are human or roofs; for roofs, a 20- to 30-year lifespan is considered standard, so if your roof is passing its teen years, start planning on replacing it

Debris - because the roof surface is beyond our range of view, it's easy to forget to regularly inspect the roof, particularly after heavy winds or rains; any debris discovered during your inspection should be removed, which will extend the life of your roof

Clogged Gutters - while they are great for redirecting water flow off your roof, gutters are also popular collectors of dirt, leaves, twigs, and other small debris which can clog them; keeping them clean will go far to reducing leak problems near gutter junctions

Installation Holes - installing cables and antennas on the roof are great for reception and removing clutter from ground level, but those holes can lead to larger problems, especially after installed equipment is removed; be sure to plug and seal any roof holes before they become larger roofing issues

Missing Shingles - there are lots of ways in which shingles can fly off the roof, with wind damage (as mentioned above) being the most common culprit;

Flashing - metal flashing is great for sealing roof transitions, such as where the chimney comes out, where the roof joins a dormer, and around skylight edges; flashing sections can even move out of place because of missing nails or dried out and crack caulking.

Foot Traffic - a lot of roof damage occurs simply by homeowners walking on it while performing "inspections" after a storm or between seasons; as much as possible, leave all rooftop walking to professional roofers who know where it's safe to walk and avoid spots where damage can occur

Curled Shingles - can be straightened and reattached with a caulking gun; in warmer weather, you will find the shingles more flexible than cold seasons (a good cold season tip is to warm up those shingles with a hair dryer to let them bender easier)

Cracked Shingles - can be repaired by using roof sealant under the crack, followed by applying the sealant to the top of the crack; use a putty knife to spread it over the edges of the cracked shingle

Missing/Broken Shingles - remove any of the remaining shingle materials from the roof, scrape the area clean, then slide and secure the new shingle into place