Most homeowners don't pay much attention to their roof until rain or melting snow starts to leak through it—then it demands immediate action. But if you periodically inspect your roof, you can correct minor problems before they become serious enough to cause damage.

Understanding the structure of your roof is the first step toward diagnosing possible problems. On the facing page, you'll find directions for inspecting your roof from the inside and outside.

CAUTION; Tile and slate roofs are extremely slippery, and the materials can break easily; metal and plastic roofs also tend to be slippery. If your house has one of these out-of-theordinary roofs, it's best to leave inspection and repairs to a professional roofing contractor.