There’s a reason the phrase “a roof over one’s head” is equated with having a place to live: this covering is essential for keeping you warm and dry and is an important structural support that can both protect your home and hold it together.

Follow the steps in this guide to help keep it in tip-top shape.

Monitor it

Fully functioning shingles are critical to the health of your home since they form a barrier that stops water from seeping in. Regularly check your roof for broken, loose, or missing shingles as well as damaging moss and mold (using a pair of binoculars to get a closer look from the ground if need be), and have a professional inspect it every one or two years. Also, don’t forget to check your attic for leaks that could be coming from your roof.

You can replace compromised shingles yourself or hire a professional roofing contractor to do so— especially if you don’t feel steady or comfortable on a ladder, your roof is very steep or high, or you suspect extensive repairs might be needed. After a major storm, always take a ground-level look at your roof for any obvious damage, which you’ll want to take care of right away; your homeowners insurance will likely cover the required fixes. Expect asphalt shingles, the most common roofing material, to stay in good condition for about twenty years, and other types even longer, before you need to replace them.

Maintain your gutters

After the shingles, your gutters are your home’s next line of defense against water. You can ensure they stay in good shape by clearing them of any pests, leaves, and other debris; if you worry about your safety while performing these tasks, have a professional do it. Gutter covers are a popular alternative for preventing clogs, but they can also become blocked, so it’s a good idea to examine them as well. Additionally, check your downspouts to ensure they aren’t blocked and are directing water away from your home. Galvanized steel and aluminum gutters, the type typically used on homes, also have a lifespan of about twenty years.

Trim your trees

While tall trees can provide both shade and beauty, they can also fill your gutters with leaves, break shingles, or even fall on your roof if they’re too close to your home. As a preventative measure, trim overhanging branches so they’re at least a few feet away from your house. You may want to consult a tree specialist for this step so you don’t wind up jeopardizing the health of any trees in any way; a professional can also evaluate their overall health and develop a course of action for any that may pose a threat to your home. (Consult the article on tree care in this issue for more tips.)

Consider a roof replacement

On average, a new roof costs about $10,000, though this figure can be affected by many factors, including where you live, the size of your home, and the quality and composition of your chosen materials. Signs that your home may need a new roof include the following: your roof is at least three decades old, there are curling, cracked, or missing shingles, you have unexplained leaks in your house, and several of your neighbors in your subdivision have installed new roofs.

Keeping your roof in good shape can require money and effort, but it will be worth it in the long run—especially if doing so prevents minor problems from becoming big ones.