There they sit on top of your home, year after year keeping your family warm and dry without complaint. Roofs are easy to ignore, especially when their shelf life can be up to 25 years. You may pay no mind to your roof until one day you notice a small leak, and a couple months later - another, and then another. After calling a roofing company, you may come to the inevitable realization that your roof needs to be replaced.

What if you could have prevented the need for an entire roof replacement? You could have possibly saved a lot of money if you knew how to keep your roof protected before the first leaked formed.

Roofs start leaking because of normal wear and tear due to circumstances such as closely located trees, animal infestations, and acts of nature. Even though roofs are strong, they won’t last forever. Extending the life of your roof can be as easy as a monthly inspection for potential problems.

What exactly causes leaks?

The biggest cause of roof leaks are small holes that come about from water, leaf, or mold buildup in areas around the roof vents, chimneys, and dormers. Other causes can be attributed to missing shingles, chimney bricks that have worn down, and frozen attic nails. Pinpoint holes can quickly expand before you even realize you have a leak, causing damaging mold to grow inside your home.

The easiest way to inspect your roof for leaks is to look at the underside of the roof from the attic. If you aren’t able to access the attic, then take a look at the outside of the roof from a ladder. Most small holes can be patched up on your own. But some leaks may require the help from a professional.

When is it possible to fix leaks yourself?

Preventing problems before they occur is the cheapest way to protect your roof. Something as simple as cleaning out a gutter costs nothing except a few hours of your time. Clean gutters means no leaf buildup, which lessens your chance that small holes will form from water exposure.

When small leaks do appear despite clean gutters, it’s often a result of a loose shingle or two, flashing around venting that’s come loose, or pinpoint holes caused by nails. These are all small problems that can easily be fixed yourself.

When To Call A Professional

Sometimes however, fixing the roof is more than a matter of patching a few small holes. Once shingles become too old they begin to fall apart or become loose, exposing your roof to leaks. Replacing a few shingles here or there can be done on your own. But when shingles are being lost in a steady stream, calling in a professional is your best bet.

Roofing contractors can make many repairs that will extend the life of your roof, so don’t hesitate to call for a consultation. If your roof is older, then a roofer may suggest replacing the roof instead of sinking more money into one that’s already on its last leg.