Damage to your roof can vary from small and annoying leaks to major breaks. Whatever the case may be, you want to avoid additional damage to your home and costly repairs. As soon as you notice something’s wrong, you should contact a professional, or try to repair it yourself.
Living in a house myself I decided to find out what I can do to fix my roof before referring to pros. Nu Look Home Design roofing maintenance experts helped me learn more about how I can take care of a leaking roof, or deal with any other minor or major damage.
Regular Maintenance
Just like any other part of your home, a roof, as the first line of defense from all the elements, needs some love every now and then. The best thing to do is hire someone experienced to have a look at it once a year to detect problems and identify a break in making.
This way you will spend less money on repairs, but more importantly, ensure the integrity of the inside of your home. Sometimes repairs are too frequent and costly and the best solution is to replace the entire roof. This something you decide for yourself, but it is better to talk to a pro and let them determine whether it’s the best option.
Leaky Roof
A leaking roof is not uncommon. What you need to do is find the problematic spots and determine the type of repairs needed. If there are only a few holes made by impact from a branch during a heavy windstorm, then you should opt for repairs that are going to fix the breach.
If your roof is old and leaking, you can still invest in repairs, but that won’t be long-lasting as those same problems would resurface eventually. What you should consider is replacing the roof in its entirety.
When Is the Right Time to Reroof?
Depending on when you plan to reroof you can apply temporary solutions like plastic sheets or plywood. If reroofing is not on the top of your house maintenance list, then feel free to go for permanent repairs while you carefully plan the reroofing. Don’t forget to glance at your attic after heavy rains just to be sure the roof can hold until you are able to replace it.
Shakes and Shingles Replacement
Luckily these repairs are not particularly difficult and every homeowner should be able to do it themselves. First, you need to carefully climb to the roof and detect the broken parts. Don’t forget to check if you already have backup shingles and shakes.
Remove the broken ones, put a new underlayment, and install new shingles and shakes. It would be wise to check some tutorials on how to properly replace them, but if you don’t feel confident enough you can always call a professional.
Flat Roof
Dealing with flat roof repairs is slightly different. Usually, a small pond emerges on the roof after rain and if it remains there it can start creating problems. First, you need to remove that water and any other debris that came with it. After that, you can use a utility knife to cut out the affected area, but be careful not to damage felt beneath it. If there is still some water remaining you need to squeeze it out.
After you’ve made sure the area is completely dry and clean from dirt and debris, you can start with the repairs. Use roofing cement and spread it evenly across the felt and then press hard. After that, you need to use galvanized roofing nails on every edge where the cut was made. Then insert an additional layer of cement and evenly cover the affected area.
