Ah, it must be spring. The leaves are budding, flowers are blooming and the waistline of my summer pants seem to have shrunk again over the winter. It is also time for some seasonal home maintenance.

Although we had another relatively mild winter, there are still several areas of your home that require periodic inspection and upkeep. Probably the most important is the roof over your head. It is your home's first defense against the elements and its deterioration can lead to untold problems of both minor cosmetic damage (such as stains or peeling paint on interior walls and ceilings) or major structural damage right down to the foundation of the house.

While we don't suggest that you climb up onto the roof to inspect it, (leave that to professionals) there are several areas that you can visually check to see if there might be problems looming. If you detect stains or blistering paint on second floor ceilings, excess moisture is the culprit and is usually caused by some sort of problem with the roof.

To inspect the roof for leaks from the inside, go to the attic with a flashlight. Be aware that very often water travels far from a hole before it actually drips into the attic. Look for water stains and soft or crumbling wood in the rafters that may indicate dry rot. Look around chimneys and vents or plumbing that go up through the roof for any evidence of water coming in which would indicate a problem with the flashing. In this area, flashing and roofs in general tend to have a shorter life due to our proximity to Long Island Sound and the effects of the salt water and higher humidity.

With asphalt or fiberglass roofs, look for broken, cracked or curling shingles. If you have a slate roof, check around the outside of the house for broken pieces on the ground. Look up under the soffets and eaves for water stains. You can use binoculars for this, but be careful when you do it and make sure it's your own house. We don't want to be reading about you in the Police Blotter.

If you detect any of the problems mentioned, or are even suspicious, have them checked out by a roofing professional. Your house is probably the biggest investment of your life and maintaining the roof is the most important investment a homeowner can make.