Houston, Texas (NAPSI) - Investing a little time and effort in monitoring the condition of your roof can pay big dividends when it comes to your home and your family’s well-being.

Industry professionals believe it’s a good idea to inspect your roof regularly, particularly if you live in areas of the country that experience extreme weather.

You can inspect your roof yourself, either by climbing on your roof or by using binoculars from the ground. Another sound option is to have a professional do it for you.

If you do go up on the roof yourself, remember to always use proper safety equipment to prevent falls or injury.

Learn to Read the Signs

Look carefully for the following signs your roof may be in need of repair or replacement:

• Leaks in the attic after a wind-driven rain or ice buildup;

• Blistering and peeling of interior and/or exterior paint;

• Stains, mold or mildew on interior ceilings and walls;

• Exterior decay of sheathing and/or siding.

When it comes to examining the roof itself, start by looking at the shingles for any that are missing, cracked, curled, torn or warped. Also, look for any open seams or joints that could lead to leaking. Popped or rusted nails, or stains around nails, are also signs that your roof is in need of repair or replacement.

A Roof Is More Than Shingles

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that a roof is more than just the shingles. A roof is actually a system that, in addition to the shingles, includes other components, such as leak barriers and ventilation components.

While each element has a particular job to do, they are also designed to work together to cover a house.

Designed to Offer Peace of Mind

There is good news for homeowners who want to cover their financial investment as well as their house. One manufacturer of roofing products has a program that offers what it calls “limited lifetime coverage” when a homeowner installs any of its Lifetime Shingles, as well as three or more qualifying accessories made by the same company.

The Lifetime Roofing System from GAF is designed to provide homeowners with peace of mind and support contractors who are selling and installing complete roofing systems.

The company’s roofing products have been specifically designed to work together for superior, long-term protection and have been proven to be effective on millions of homes nationwide.

To learn more, visit www.gaf.com.