I have been in my home about a year, and I can honestly say I have NEVER been up on my roof. I think there are many people out there who are just like me. Your job, family, cleaning, yard work or whatever it may be, consumes your day-to-day activities and leaves little time to think about other things.

Just for a second, let's pretend that I did have time to go up and inspect my roof…I wouldn't even know what to look for! Besides there being a gigantic hole or an entire sheet of shingles missing, it is safe to say I would get up there, look around, and say, "Yep! Looks like a roof!" I would assume everything is fine. So, what do you look for? And, when it's time to call a roofer, how do you know you are getting a good roofer?

I reached out to Scott Feller, from Feller Roofing in Austin, Texas, to get a little insight into world of roofs. Scott, who has been in the roofing industry for over 20 years, said, "It is a good idea to get your roof inspected after any major weather event, especially after a hail storm or heavy winds. A reputable roofer will inspect it for free and tell you whether or not you should contact your insurance company."

However, before you reach out to a roofer, there are some things that you can look for! Damage can almost never be seen from the ground. Scott did say, "you can check your down-spouts and look for shingle grit on the ground where the gutters outlet." That is one sign that you will need to get your roof inspected. He went on to explain, "Once you are on the roof, look for spots where shingle grit has been knocked off, look for missing shingles, and shiny spots where fiberglass mat is showing through." Some other items that you can look for are water stains, exposed nails, shingles that are curling, and mildew. The general consensus is to look for major wear and tear!

When calling a roofing company do your homework first! Scott pointed out that, "If you are looking for a roofer, make sure they are in great standings with the BBB (Better Business Bureau), check to be sure that they have insurance, and look to see if they have a major manufacturer endorsement. We are Master Elite Contractors, certified by GAF – and these are the types of endorsements you should look for!" So what is a major Red Flag when hiring a roofer? Scott said, "Don't ever let a roofer tell you that they can pay your deductible! That is a major felony!" There are plenty of companies out there, like TC Referrals, which you can utilize to be sure that you are hiring an honest, reputable roofer.

The best tip he can leave you with is, "All roofs are not created equal! People have a tendency to only look at price, but the components of your roof are important - in addition to the shingles chosen. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and we see lots of weak components installed by "cheap" roofers. A great roof with a great warranty only costs about 10% more." A good roof with a great warranty should last you 25-50 years. Don't base your new roof off of price, because it could end up costing you more down the line.

Have you ever had to replace a roof? What did you look for? Tell us in the comments section below!