It's often easy to tell if your shingles are getting worn by just looking at them from the ground. They may have moss growing on them, the corners may be bent, and/or there may be missing shingles. However, there are many other parts of your roof that need just as much attention. If you would like to better protect your roof, keep reading.

1. Gutters

The gutters are an important aspect of any roof because they help redirect water away from the home. When the gutters are working, water flows from the roof to the gutters. The gutters then transport the water to downspouts, which send the water to the street, drains, etc.

Your gutters, however, don't just collect water; they collect any debris on the roof, including branches, twigs, leaves, dirt, moss, etc. Over time, this debris fills the gutters, preventing water from properly flowing. Similarly, debris sitting on the roof can work like a dam to block water from reaching the gutters.

As the clogged gutters fill with water, the water will start to spill over the edge of the gutters or push back toward the shingles. This can increase the risk of roof damage, siding damage, soil erosion, and much more.

2. Flashing

Flashing is used on your roof like a bandage. Many vents and pipes may lead out of the roof. Without flashing, water can sneak through the small gap around the vents/pipes and the roof. Flashing covers this gap to prevent leaks. In addition, if you have a chimney, you should notice metal flashing around the chimney too.

Flashing is also used where two parts of the roof meet in a valley. This part of the roof is stuck between two higher points, like a valley stuck between two mountain ranges. As a result, a lot of standing water can fill the valley. The flashing, however, helps protect the roof against this standing water, so leaks don't start to appear.

Flashing can become damaged due to stormy weather like high winds. It may also become loose due to expansion and contraction. As heat expands the metal and cold shrinks it, the screws slowly become loose, decreasing the effectiveness of the flashing.

It's easy to ignore your roof until something goes wrong. However, with a little bit of maintenance and mindfulness, you can spot issues before they turn into expensive repairs. If you would like to know more, contact a roofing repair tech in your area today.