The roof over every house is its most expensive and important component.

To protect it, homeowners should partner with a local roof company that can help them care for their roof to get a long service life out of it.

Part of good care is regularly checking for the most common problems that can cause damage to a roofing installation.

This advice from professional residential roofers will help every homeowner prevent damage to their roofs and stay alert to the problems that can cause it!

1. Check Frequently for Clogged Gutters

Clogged gutters can cause a host of roofing problems due to water getting backed up within them.

Roofers frequently see wood rot and shingle damage, plus mold and mildew growth and leaks, all due to water absorption from clogged, overflowing gutters.

These problems are easily prevented with seasonal gutter cleaning and repair to keep gutters functional and prevent water backups from affecting the roof itself.

2. Look For for Damaged Flashing

Flashing is an essential component used by roofing companies to make a roof watertight and is one of the most overlooked areas of concern.

When protective flashing becomes damaged or falls off, the exposed seams beneath it may allow water to leak in, resulting in the gradual degradation of the roof.

Areas under the flashing are one of the more common places where leaks and other damage are found.

Residential roofers recommend that homeowners frequently check their flashing and arrange repairs should they find any that is damaged or missing.

3. Watch for Damaged Roofing Materials

Regardless of how it happens, damage to exterior roofing materials should be repaired promptly to prevent additional problems later.

Whether a homeowner sees a few broken or missing shingles, a bent metal panel, or some other defect to their roofing installation, a visit from a roofer to repair this damage is in order.

The longer the exterior roofing stays damaged, the greater the chance that leaks and other more substantial problems will develop, requiring expensive repairs.

4. Look for Signs of Water Damage

Water damage can appear in many ways, such as leaks in the house, stains under the decking, rotting wood components, or even mold and mildew inside the attic or house.

Roof companies stress the importance of good roofing maintenance to prevent this damage and close observation to watch for it.

At the first sign of water damage no matter how minor it may be, homeowners should arrange an inspection to find the source and make the necessary repairs to prevent it from progressing.

5. Watch for Signs of Pest Infestations

A commonly overlooked problem that residential roofers see and which many homeowners may not realize can affect them, is infestations.

Insects and birds frequently make homes underneath roof eaves as well as other protected spaces, and rodents like raccoons, squirrels, and mice may access attic spaces by chewing holes in the roof.

Over time, these pests can cause significant damage to the roof itself or even become a fire hazard should should an animal chew on attic wiring.

Homeowners must learn to recognize the signs of infestation so they can look for it during their routine roof checks.

Check For Common Roofing Problems To Prevent Roofing Damage

Roofing damage that requires roofer repair can happen suddenly, such as when a storm passes through; but more often, it is a gradual effect that happens over time.

Residential roofers find that the easiest way to prevent expensive repairs is to be aware of these common problems and periodically check for them.

At the first sign of any of these issues, a call to an experienced local roofing company is the best solution for protecting the roof over any home.

The sooner these problems are corrected, the better!