If your home has a shingled rooftop, sooner or later you're going to need roof repair. Here are some things to think about.
Do you need roof repair on your shingled home? Everyone will,
eventually. While shingles are sturdy, waterproof devices, they aren't designed to last forever. After a period of time or a devastating storm, chances are that some of the roofing materials will be loose, cracked or missing. Once this happens, leaks will begin to occur during the next rainstorm that passes through your region. Problems on top of your house will get worse quickly and spread to the rest of the abode beneath it. It's important to perform regular inspections to check for peeling, cracked or missing shingles or flashing. This will require hauling out the ladder, measuring tape and broom and climbing up there. It's important to choose a sunny, dry day for an inspection. Icy, rainy days will present a treacherous rooftop to be climbing around on. Here are some things to think about:
Old roof: If a homeowner's shingled surface up top is a couple of decades old, chances are that it's worn out and needs roof repair. Rather than trying to fix some random spots, it's more likely time to tear off and replace the entire surface. If only one layer is in existence, it might be possible to put another layer over the top. Most homes are built with a strong enough structure to hold the weight of two layers of shingles. Any more than that may be too heavy for the beams to handle.
Missing shingle flaps: If flaps are missing, it will be necessary to replace them with roof repair. If some of them are torn, cracked or having missing portions of them, it will be necessary to replace the entire shingle. It's always wise to keep a bundle around for just this reason. If there aren't any extras, going to the building supply store to purchase some will be necessary. If an exact color match isn't available, there will be one that should be close enough.
Peeling materials: If the flap is flexible enough, it can be nailed back down. If it's brittle, it may break off as you're maneuvering it. In this case, it will have to be treated as a replacement. If it can be fixed, you'll need to press it back into place and use sealant to hold it down. Sealants can also be placed into cracks to hold them together.
Flashing that's damaged or missing: Flashing is an important part of keeping leaks out. If any of yours is missing or broken, it will be necessary to measure areas and purchase replacement strips.
Tools: Some of the tools that will be needed for this task include a hammer, pry bar, putty knife, caulking gun, roofing sealant and some roofing nails. A good sized nail to use is one that is 1 ¼ inches long.
While up on top of your house performing inspections or fixes, it's a good idea to sweep away all debris and make sure there's nothing stuck in the rain gutters. Keeping up with roof repair will keep the entire surface functional for a longer period of time.
