Have you checked your roof lately? Do your shingles need replacement or repair? Shingles start aging the day they're put on your roof. Initially some of the mineral granules come loose and the shingle might even curl or blister a bit. This is normal as shingles settle into a long period of service -- protecting your home from the elements. But as shingles near the end of their life, the deterioration accelerates. Thus, you need to know when it's time to replace the roof. Telltale signs: When there are more granules in the gutter than on the roof; when shingles start developing large cracks; when shingles start curling severely. These signs indicate it's time to think about re-roofing. Sure, you can make some quick-fix spot repairs, but they're temporary at best, And, if you wait too long, you're going to get leaks; in the end it can be very costly to repair the damage. And that's the On The House tip for today.