The roof is the first line of defense for everything inside your home. It takes a beating during a storm, and each day you wait to call in a professional is one more day that moisture seeps into your home.
Keep an eye out for these indicators that you need to repair your roof. Contact Roof Repair Columbus GA now!
From wind damage to aging, your roof and the shingles that cover it take a beating each year. Sudden severe storms, prolonged cool weather and sun exposure all impact the integrity of your shingles. Even a single cracked or torn shingle can weaken your entire roof and allow water to penetrate, creating a major problem that demands prompt attention.
To fix a damaged shingle, first access your roof from inside the attic or crawl space. If you need to go on the roof itself, use a sturdy ladder and carefully follow all safety precautions. Always wear a hard hat and gloves, and use extra caution if working on a sloped or multi-story home.
Once you have access to the shingle that needs repair, slide your flat pry bar underneath it and run it along the edge, loosening the glue seal and exposing the nail beneath. You may need to do this several times to fully remove the shingle, and you will likely have to loosen the nails in the row above and below it as well.
After you have removed the damaged shingle, replace it with a new one, using the same process to secure it. A little bit of extra roofing cement will help make sure the replacement shingle stays in place, but most importantly, don’t forget to re-nail all the existing shingles in that row as well.
One way to tell if you have an older roof is noticing that your neighbors are making repairs. If every other house on the block has a roof repair job in progress, that’s a good indication that your own shingles are nearing their end of life and need to be replaced.
Cracked or torn shingles also indicate that your roof is overdue for a thorough inspection. Taking the time to catch these issues early can save you money and hassle down the road by allowing you to replace just the affected section of your shingles, rather than your entire roof.
Leaking Gutters
Gutters help to channel water away from the roof and the house’s foundation, so it’s important that they work properly. If a gutter leaks it can lead to serious problems, including damage to the roof and the structure of the home. The first step in fixing a leaking gutter is to determine the cause of the leak. If the water is dripping from the gutters themselves, it may be as simple as needing to clean them. However, if the water is dripping from the fascia or soffit, it is likely a roof problem.
One of the most common reasons for leaking gutters is that they are clogged with leaves, debris, twigs, or other debris. When this happens, the gutters can’t hold water, and water will spill over the sides of the gutters and down the side of the house.
Another reason for leaking gutters is that the joints in the gutters are loose. These can be caused by normal wear and tear or by the expansion and contraction of the gutters as they weather. Loose gutter joints can be repaired by caulking the inside and outside of the joint.
Other causes of leaking gutters include the downspout being too small for the roof area or having insufficient pitch, or there being no flashing where the gutter meets the fascia. If you suspect this is the case, a new downspout or increased pitch may be needed.
If the gutters are leaking at the end caps, this is usually due to damage from pests such as squirrels or rats. These pests chew through the corner of the gutter and allow water to escape. If this is a problem in your home, it may be necessary to replace the gutters altogether.
If the cracks and holes in the gutters are small, a tube of caulk or waterproof sealant can be used to repair them. Clean the area to be patched, then apply the sealant firmly. After applying the sealant, a putty knife can be used to smooth it out and ensure it adheres well. Waterproof tape can also be used to repair these areas if caulk isn’t an option.
Damaged Flashings
Roof flashing is the metal that forms a watertight seal between your roof and chimneys, vent pipes, skylights, dormers or other features. Like other roofing components, flashing is susceptible to damage from inclement weather and age-related deterioration. In some cases, the flashing may need to be replaced rather than repaired.
Corrosion or Rust
Depending on the type of flashing, corrosion can weaken the material and lead to holes that allow water to penetrate your home. Flashing made from steel, copper or zinc is most prone to corrosion, but even tin flashing can experience problems due to exposure to moisture and the elements. Holes in the flashing can also be caused by physical damage, such as when a tree limb falls on the roof and damages the soft metal.
Cracked or Broken Flashing
Inclement weather, especially hail and strong winds, can cause the flashing to crack or break. These defects can allow water to penetrate your roof, leading to rot, mildew and mold in the ceilings and walls of your home.
Loose or Missing Flashing
In addition to allowing water to enter your home, damaged flashing can allow animals and insects access to the attic and living areas of your house. Loose flashing is often the result of old caulking or roofing cement that has deteriorated over time, or it can be caused by the movement of the roof or the flashing.
Repairing flashing is typically a relatively simple task, but it requires careful attention and a good understanding of roofing techniques. You’ll need to purchase replacement flashing, a caulking gun, roofing cement and roofing nails. Ensure that the replacement flashing you purchase is identical in size to the existing flashing, so it will fit properly. You’ll also need a pry bar to carefully remove the existing flashing, taking care not to damage the surrounding shingles.
If the flashing is heavily corroded or missing, a professional should be hired to perform a more extensive roof repair. This will require removing several rows of shingles to gain access to the damaged area, and the replacement will likely involve cutting and installing new flashing. It’s important to have a professional conduct this work to ensure the new flashing is installed correctly and protected from further damage by the underlying roof surface. To prevent the need for such repairs, it’s a good idea to have a professional roofer conduct routine yearly inspections. They’ll be able to spot small issues before they become bigger problems.
Sagging Roof Beams
If you’ve noticed a sagging roof, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the problem. First, it’s important to find out the cause of the sagging, so you can determine the most effective repair solution.
If the sagging is caused by heavy winds, it may be possible to get your homeowner’s insurance company to cover the cost of repairing the damage. However, if the sagging is due to age or neglect, it’s likely that you won’t be able to get your insurer to pay for any repairs.
Another common reason for sagging roofs is undersized rafters or trusses. This can happen if the framing wasn’t done to code or if the original trusses weren’t sized correctly for the sheathing they supported. If this is the case, it can be easy to correct by adding collar ties to prevent the rafters from spreading apart.
You can also try putting in place some temporary support beams to help lift the sagging roof. This can be a simple task if you’re a handy DIYer, but it’s important to be aware of your own limitations and pass on any work that is outside of your skill set.
Another option for sagging roofs is to install a ridge vent. This can help to reduce moisture inside the home, which is one of the most common causes for sagging roofs. It’s a good idea to have your roof inspected regularly to ensure that it is functioning properly.
A small amount of sagging in a roof isn’t necessarily a big deal, but it’s important to get the problem fixed as quickly as possible to avoid further damage. If you ignore the issue, it will only get worse over time and may result in pricier repair costs in the future.
If you’re unsure how to fix the sagging roof, it’s a good idea to contact a professional roofer. They can provide a thorough inspection of your roof and suggest the most effective repair solutions. They can also advise you on whether or not your insurance policy will cover any of the cost.