Winter months can be cruel to your roof. If your roof fails, it can cause great expense, significant damage and wasted time and money. With winter around the corner, give your roof a quick check-up to ensure that your home is protected.

Here are some warning signs that your roof may be costing you money and leaving you vulnerable.

•  “Dirty-looking” areas on roof—possible cause: environmental pollutants; vegetation, fungus or algae; loss of granules due to shingle age.
• Missing, cracked or curling shingles— possible cause: shingles at the end of their useful life.
•  Leakage in attic after driving rain— possible cause: leaky or inadequate shingle underlayment or deteriorated flashing.
• Blistering/peeling of outside paint— possible cause: excessive temperature or high humidity due to poor attic ventilation.
• Stains on interior ceilings/walls or mold and mildew growth—possible cause: inadequate or faulty shingle underlayment allowing leakage or inadequate ventilation.
• Excessive energy costs – possible cause; insufficient attic ventilation allowing heating/cooling system to run excessively.