Curled shingles are unsightly and can pose a significant threat to a home if not addressed promptly. Homeowners can protect themselves and their roofs by working with skilled roofing professionals, who can diagnose issues like curled shingles and offer the right solutions.

Gone are the days when roofers completed a job and disappeared on you if something fell off, broke or leaked, an industry expert contends.

Ray Byler of Byler's Roofing & Construction said with the advent of the internet and seemingly infinite review sites, contractors are more concerned than ever about their reputation.

With more and more companies offering extended and emergency service, how do you know which one to choose?

Byler said to ask the contractor for three references, which should be their last three jobs — not three of their choosing.

“If they give him good references, I'd say he's a good roofer,” he said.

As importantly, Byler said, is to make sure the contractor will look at and measure your roof in person. While technological advancements have made it easier than ever to take measurements from a computer in an office, he said roofs often have hidden features not visible from satellite photos.

Although metal, tile or slate roofs have the longest life span, according to the home improvement website The Family Handyman, Byler said asphalt shingles are still the most economical option.

“They just keep trying to make them better,” he said.

Some signs you'll need a new roof are curled edges or cracks on shingles, moss or algae growing on the roof and bald spots indicating missing granules, according to shingle manufacturer Owens Corning.

Curled shingles are a problem many homeowners have encountered, and might be caused by several different issues — the natural aging of asphalt, improper installation, moisture and poor ventilation for example — and are not always indicative of a bad roof.

Fortified Roofing, a New Jersey-based roofing company that specializes in the repairing and replacing of various roofing configurations, advises homeowners to contact a local roofing professional to diagnose the cause of the curling. Doing so quickly can prevent curled shingles from contributing to more widespread damage.

Byler said he expects new shingle roofs to last up to 30 years, in part due to recent improvements that have shingles featuring more fiberglass and less tar.

“That just tends to keep them a little softer,” he said. “They just seem to last longer.”

Another positive aspect of newer shingles is that it is much harder for them to freeze, Byler said. During winter roofing jobs, Byler said he uses Owens Corning Duration shingles because they have a unique advantage over others.

“They last all winter until they seal down,” he said. “It's about the only shingle that stays up there in a wind storm until it seals down.”

In addition to winter roofing jobs, Byler said he provides emergency repairs during the wintertime and encourages homeowners to use a contractor who does the same.

Roof installation and replacement are necessary parts of homeownership.