Ever hear the expression, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”? Well, when it comes to caring for your roof, nothing could be more accurate. By being proactive about maintenance, you can add years of life to your roof and reduce the costs of repairs and, of course, increase the amount of time before a pricey replacement is required. It’s a small investment over time that will save you big bucks in the long run. That said, here are some helpful tips from a Nashville roofing professional for how you can keep your roof in the best shape possible.

Clean your gutters regularly. It may seem minuscule, but when leaves and debris clog gutters, it can end up causing damage to your roof. As a rule of thumb, gutters should be thoroughly cleaned at least twice a year – more often if necessary, such as following a big storm. You can either do this yourself, or hire a roofing professional to handle it for you.

Inspect the condition of your roof on a regular basis, paying extra attention to areas where vents, pipes, flues and other external components attach. These are often the first areas to begin to show wear on a roof, and if they aren’t addressed in a timely manner, the damage can spread and become much more expensive to manage.

Watch for areas of your roof that seem to collect puddles. When water is allowed to sit in these areas, it can compromise the integrity of the roof, causing leaks and eventually leading to a full roof replacement. If you notice areas like this on your roof, ask your Nashville roofer to advise you on the best way to address the problem.

Address leaks and other damage immediately. The longer you wait, the bigger the expense is going to be over time. If you notice a leak, it’s imperative that you have it addressed right away. If you catch it early enough, a simple repair may be enough to take care of the problem. If you wait, you’ll likely end up facing a full replacement sooner rather than later.

Monitor the traffic on your roof. Contractors, electricians, HVAC professionals and even the cable guy may need to get up on your roof to complete work they’re doing on your home. Make sure you check after they’ve gone to verify that no damage was done, and that no debris was left behind that could eventually cause damage if not removed.

Maintaining your roof can extend its life by years, saving you time, money and aggravation. Of course, if you’ve noticed any of these 7 signs, it may already be too late. Your best bet is to have a professional roofer take a look and advise you on what the next step should be.