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If your roof has storm damage, there will be some telltale signs. These include missing, loose, or damaged shingles. You may notice cracks or dents on the metal parts of your roof, like flashing, gutters, or metal panels. Water leaks are another big indicator. So are visible signs of impact. Rather than climb up on your roof to check, hire a professional to inspect the area  safely.

Chimney caps have a solid top but perforated sides so smoke can exit safely. If rain or snow falls downward, chimney caps can protect the chimney’s interior. Just note that if rain or snow blows in sideways, there’s a higher likelihood it will enter the chimney—but it's not often a cause for concern as long as you have a cap.

Just like when you’re shingling a roof, you can install felt underlayment under a metal roof, but a synthetic underlayment like adhered ice and water shield is the best option. These use adhesives rather than mechanical fasteners, so you have fewer penetrations going through your roof deck and a lower risk of leaks. Ice and water shield is also easier to install because you don’t need additional tools or fasteners to attach it to the roof deck.

Whether a metal or shingle roof is better for you depends on your preferences. Standing seam metal roofs require little to no maintenance, but if you install a screw-down metal roof where the fasteners are exposed, the gaskets on the fasteners will dry rot and need to be replaced. Generally, screw-down metal roofs need to be re-screwed every 15 to 20 years.

Metal roofs are energy-efficient and have extended warranties, while asphalt shingles are less durable than most. They tend to lose color and get damaged over time, and absorb heat from the sun.