When you think about the roof of your home, what are some things that come to mind? Is it a place for cool summer nights filled with laughter and good times? Is it where you retreat when life gets too much? Or is it just something that keeps the rain off your head while you go about your day-to-day activities?

Regardless of how important the roof may seem to be, certain signs indicate that now might be a good time to call in a professional contractor. Here are signs that you should consider calling a roofing contractor.

1. Your Roof Is Leaking

At the very least, water should not be leaking through your roof and into your home. However, if you are experiencing leaks inside your house or in places where they shouldn't be, this may be a sign that your roof needs to be repaired or replaced. Have a professional roofing contractor come out to see if you need a new roof or if the current roof can be fixed.

2. Your Roof Is Missing Slate/Tile/Shingles

There are many possible causes for missing tiles or shingles. Often, this is caused by poor installation during the construction of your home or by natural disasters such as powerful winds and tornadoes. Whatever the cause may be, having excess wind entering through your roof will make your home much less energy efficient and could even lead to roof collapse in extreme cases. If there are places missing slate, tile, or shingles on your home's roof, then it would be wise to call a residential roofer to come out for an inspection immediately.

3. You Need a New Roof

This is the most obvious sign that you need a new roof. If your current roof is more than 10 years old and/or you have noticed shingles missing, then it might be time to consider calling a roofing contractor for a replacement or repair. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends replacing your roof if it has reached the age of 15-20 years due to concerns about its ability to withstand natural disasters such as tornadoes or hurricanes.

4. You Have Rotted Shingles

This is another easy-to-spot sign that your roof needs repair or replacement. If you have noticed shingles that are soft to the touch or which display signs of rotting, then this may be a definite sign that you need to call a professional contractor. Homeowners should not try to remove these themselves as they could cause further damage to your home and/or lead to serious injury.

5. You've Had a Heavy Windstorm

There is always the possibility that you might experience very powerful winds in your area. Even areas that are not known for hurricane or tornado activity can sometimes have localized windstorms which result in roof damage. If your roof sustains any damage from these storms, it is best to have a professional contractor come out and inspect it right away to ensure that there is no further damage.

6. You Want to Make Energy Improvements

If there is any doubt in your mind that your current roofing system may not be suitable for energy efficiency (most older roofs are not), then it would be worth having a professional contractor come out and inspect it. A new roof might be just the thing you need to make sure that your home can achieve maximum energy efficiency, which will make it less expensive to heat or cool.

7. You're Thinking About Selling Your Home

If you plan to sell your home, installing a new roof could add to its value. Your prospective buyers will be much more likely to fall in love with this property if the exterior is looking great.

Residential Roofing Contractor Clifton Park NY

If you are experiencing any of the above issues with your roof, it is wise to contact a professional roofing contractor to come out and inspect the problem. Roofing contractors will be able to give you an expert opinion on what repairs or replacements may be necessary and can even make suggestions as to how you can minimize future maintenance costs.