A roof can last between 15 and 30 years with proper maintenance and care, and the more maintenance and upkeep you put into it, the longer it's likely to last. A functional roof protects your home and everything inside of it, and unfortunately, even the best roofs get damaged and can be compromised in an alarmingly short period. You wake up, and everything is fine, and a few hours later, there is water pouring into your house. While there are some jobs you might be able to tackle yourself, it's best to leave it to the professionals for some things.

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Trees are beautiful and an excellent addition to any landscape. They can also cause many problems, especially for your roof, which is why they should be pruned a couple of times a year, so weak limbs or damaged branches don't break during bad weather. 

Whether from storms, old age or heavy snow, trees and their branches fall over all the time, and sometimes they fall on your roof. If they are heavy enough or hit at the right angle, you can wind up with a sizable hole.

Cute, furry animals often take up residence under gutters, in small openings and anywhere else they can find warm and sheltered, and can cause a surprising amount of damage. If you see animals creating nests or notice an infestation, it's best to deal with it before it becomes a significant problem for your home. Still, you may not realize anything wrong until you notice water coming in through the roof. 

For example, Toronto is known as the raccoon capital of the world, and they cause a lot of damage to homeowners' roofs. When that happens, it's best to get one of the best roofing companies in Toronto to come in and fix the damage.

Leaks need to be addressed quickly before moisture can seep into the under layers of a roof and then inside the home. The longer they are left to continue leaking, the bigger the problem will get. Keep an eye out for any signs of leakage inside your home after significant winds, rain, or snow. If you notice water getting in, it's best to call a professional roofing technician to determine the damage and what can be done about it.

Shingles help create a watertight and wind-resistant seal that protects the rest of the roof from damage. Signs that your shingles are not working correctly is if you can see small piles of black or gray granules in your gutters or if you spot some missing shingles.

Homeowners should be properly maintaining their roofs. An annual inspection by an experienced roofer will help identify problems before they become disasters and offer solutions on how to fix them.

If you notice a problem with your roof, especially during an emergency where every minute counts, contact a roofing repair specialist. Roof damage will only get worse with time, and roofers can help you assess the scope of damages or potential weaknesses that should be addressed to protect your home.