A variety of things can cause damage to a roof, from whirlwinds and tornadoes to bugs, birds, and wildlife.
A good home inspector can identify repair issues, including cracked or missing shingles. He or she can also spot leaking areas and check for rotted wood. Visit Website for more information.
Your roof protects you and your belongings from rain, snow, sleet and hail for decades, but it will not last forever. Over time, a snag in the structure can let water in and eventually cause damage to the insulation, wood, ceiling, walls, electrical wiring and more. That’s why it’s important to catch problems early, before they become serious, and call for roof repair services.
A good place to start is with a visual inspection from the ground. Look at the overall uniformity of the shingles, and watch for any areas where the roof looks darker or aged differently than other sections. Also look for shingles that are missing, cracked or curled up. These signs of aging and wear are usually not indicative of any major structural issues, but should be noted for future reference.
It’s also a good idea to periodically check for water leaks in the house. It’s best to do this while it’s raining, so you can see if any water is leaking in from the top of the house. If you do see a dripping or stain in the ceiling, it’s time to go up into the attic or crawlspace and try to track down the source.
If you can’t find the source of a leak, it may be necessary to remove a few shingles and look at the flashing. Flashing is metal that’s often hand-bent to fit the application, and is secured with nails or sealant. It’s a common point of failure, especially around chimneys or roof windows. It’s a good idea to regularly inspect flashing for dents or cracks, and replace it when needed.
Other things to look for are rusty or damaged vents, sheathing that’s sagging or rotting and if any of the wood framing supports are wet or moldy. It’s also a good idea to check your insurance policy to see what your coverage is and what your deductible is. This can help you determine whether it makes sense to pay for a replacement or just do a repair. A professional roofing service will be able to help you with this decision and give you expert advice on how to proceed with your roof repair or replacement.
Taking Off the Shingles
When a roof repair is needed, the first step is to take off the shingles that need to be replaced. The best time to do this is in the early morning when it is still cool out. Start by locating the shingle that is damaged or missing and locate the nails holding it down. This is usually done by lifting the shingle with a pry bar, loosening the adhesive underneath it and then pulling it free. If it is nailed in place with “face nails,” meaning that the nail sticks up above the shingle rather than being hidden by it, this can be a little more difficult. In this case, it is a good idea to put some sealant under the shingle to protect it from moisture and to hide the exposed nail.
Generally, it is best to avoid face-nailing any shingles in any location, although this may be impossible on steeper roofs. This can be a serious problem, as water can leak in behind the shingle and damage the felt underlay and possibly the wood framing of the roof. This can lead to rot or other problems.
If the shingle is simply cracked or torn, it doesn’t need to be replaced, but the cracks need to be sealed. It is a good idea to work on this with a caulking gun so that you can apply a thick bead of roof sealant to the crack. This will help prevent water from seeping through the cracks and leaking into the house.
It is also a good idea to look for other areas of the roof and apply sealant, such as the edges of the eaves where water often leaks into the attic or around vents and chimneys. This will help improve the roof’s lifespan and functionality.
It is a good idea to place a board on the ground at the bottom of the ladder, which will catch the debris that falls from the roof as you take off the shingles. This makes it easier to haul away and dispose of the debris, and will keep it from falling off the ladder and onto you.
Inside the House
When a roof is damaged, it usually shows up inside the house as water stains on ceilings, black marks or mold. There may also be bulging or mushy areas on interior walls or musty odors in one or more rooms. In some cases, a leak can create moisture in the attic, which can then rot wood and cause structural damage. A roof repair specialist will walk all over the roof with a garden hose, soaking areas where he or she suspects a leak. This often takes several minutes, but it helps find the source of the leak.
If you have pets, it’s a good idea to have them at a friend’s house or in a kennel service while the roof is being worked on. Hammering and strangers will disturb them and they may step on a nail or other object that could harm them.
Outside the House
When it comes to the outside of your house, a lot of things can happen. Depending on what is wrong with your roof, it may need to be replaced. This will involve hammers, loud noises and strangers in your yard. If you have pets, it might be best to have them stay at a friend’s or the kennel service while the roofers are working. They will not adjust well to the commotion and could become nervous or even injured by stray nails.
It is also a good idea to keep children away from the work area. They will get frustrated and might want to touch the things that are being worked on, and this can cause harm. Also, if moisture from the roof gets inside your home, mold and mildew can develop that will affect your health.
