Shingles and roof maintenance is a very basic procedure, you first have to make a plan on how often you should inspect your roof for any damages such as missing shingles, algae, moss, pop up nails, rotting plywood, flashing problems etc.
Fist off you should have your roof checked at least once a year and do a spot check if you have recently experienced any extreme weather conditions.
Also it is a good idea when planning your shingles and roof maintenance to check that you choose a time when the weather is very sunny, so summer would be an ideal time to carry out your maintenance check.
Clean the debris from the roof, such as rotten leave, moss, etc, and be sure and cut any braches that may be handing on the roof to give the roof more breathing space. Sweep the debris off the roof using a soft bristle broom as harsh bristles will damage your shingles.
Check for any loose shingles, and reposition them with a roofing cement compound. Thoroughly check to ensure that you have inspected all the shingle and that there are none loose or missing. If you discover any damaged or frayed shingles you should replace them immediately, as damaged or missing shingles can cause your roof to leak.
Inspect your roof closely for any signs such as large areas of discoloration or sagging or sunken areas in the middle of the roof. Any signs of discoloration would mean that there is an algae related problem, and a sagging or sunken roof could imply that there is rotting plywood below the shingles.
Shingles are small self contained units that can easily be replaced without having to remove the rest of the roof; all you will need are some replacement shingles, nails, roofing cement and caulk.
For replacing the entire roof that will be a very taxing project and you should decide on hiring a professional for this type of job if you have any doubts in your mind that you can handle this type of project.
