Because it is our home’s first line of defense against extreme weather conditions—be it blazing hot or freezing cold, the roof can be one of the most damaged parts of the house without you realizing it. Most of the time, it is something people rarely think about until something goes wrong.

However, a small roofing issue that you do notice, has the potential to become a full-scale home disaster if you don’t act quickly. Identifying the problem is the first step and the most crucial part of you solving it. Knowing how to identify a few common problems will let you know whether it’s time to call a professional.

Here are the most common roofing problems and how to fix them: