Roofing repair is an involved process that requires professional expertise. However, there are some things homeowners can do to help the process along.
First, take photos of any damage. They will come in handy when you file a claim and speak with your insurance company.
Also, examine the valley flashing, which is installed where roof slopes meet to direct water runoff into gutters. Leaking valley flashing can lead to serious interior damage.
Damaged Shingles
Damaged shingles are often the result of natural occurrences or wear and tear, but can also be caused by hail damage. If you live in an area prone to hail storms, it’s important to have your roof inspected regularly by a roofing contractor to spot any potential damage before it worsens.
If you spot any shingle damage, repair it as soon as possible to avoid leaks and further damages. Replacing a damaged shingle is a relatively simple task, and it can be done by following these steps:
Start by removing the nails from the shingle that is adjacent to the damaged shingle. Then slip a flat pry bar under the front edge of the target shingle. The sealant holding the shingle to its neighbor is usually easy to separate by sliding the pry bar underneath it (it helps to do this in cool weather).
Once the shingle has been separated from its neighbor, remove the shingle’s nails. Next, slide a new 3-tab shingle into place and nail it with four roofing nails. To camouflage the nail holes, you can scrape some of the colored granules that were on the old shingle into a cup and sprinkle them over the sealant to mask it.
Be sure to replace any shingles that are facing away from the structure of your home. These shingles are more susceptible to moisture and pests.
Leaks
Leaks can be caused by many different issues, and sometimes the location of a leak isn’t obvious. If you can access the attic and find water stains on the ceiling, it may be possible to track where the water is coming from by following the stain up and looking for wet spots or mold and mildew on attic framing members. Once the leak has been traced to a point above it, a roofer can go up on the roof and check the flashing, shingles, gutters and eaves for damage that would allow water to get into the house.
The most common source of a leak is a damaged shingle or flashing, so the roofer will check those areas first. A shingle that has had a nail driven through it and not properly sealed is easy to fix by putting some tar on the area and then resealing the shingle. The same is true for a leaking valley (where two roof slopes meet) that has a loose or missing flashing.
Some leaks are more serious than others, and if ignored they can lead to structural problems that may require a complete re-roof. But, if you’re willing to put in the time, there are ways to repair some of these more complicated leaks. One way is to use a small, plastic tar sheet that can be bought at most home improvement centers and hardware stores. This will provide a temporary patch until the roofer can come out and replace it with a more permanent solution.
Damaged Flashing
Flashing is designed to protect the roof and the home from leaks by adding an extra layer of material that redirects water away from areas that a roof doesn’t need water to reach. Without flashing or with flashing that’s leaking, water can penetrate the roof and into the home’s basic framing, creating extensive damage that’s often very expensive to repair.
Over time, your flashing can become damaged from weather elements and aging. Heavy rains, acid rain, intense heat and cold, ice storms, snow and sleet can all cause damage to flashing. Flashing may also suffer from aging and the gradual degradation of materials used in its construction. This may include rust, corrosion or a deterioration in caulking around the flashing.
The most obvious sign that your flashing needs repairs or replacement is of course, roof leaks. However, other signs that your flashing is in need of repair or replacement are lifting shingles near the flashing, or holes in the roof or at the corner of the roof where the flashing meets the wall.
Roof flashing is typically made of metal and can be easily repaired by a skilled roofing contractor. If the flashing is missing, roofers will replace it using a piece of metal that fits tightly over the gap and secures with roof cement. Alternatively, some flashing is now available in pvc plastic and other synthetic materials, but these are less durable than metal.
Damaged Gutters
Gutters are designed to channel rainwater away from your home’s foundation and basement. If they’re clogged or damaged, the water can seep into your house and cause thousands of dollars worth of damage. Check your gutters regularly for any of the following problems and repair them immediately:
Gutter Holes
Metal gutters can develop holes from rusting or from being punctured by falling branches and sharp tools. You can often fix these small holes with silicone caulking or roofing cement. Just make sure that you’re working on a dry, warm day and that you clean the area before applying the sealant.
Larger holes in gutters can be patched with flashing. Cut a piece of flashing that is several inches larger than the hole and use roofing cement to secure it in place. Be sure to match the material of the patch to the gutter so it doesn’t electrolytically corrode the gutters.
Gutter Sagging
Gutter fasteners can loosen over time, leading to leaks or sagging. You can easily re-fasten these with a cordless drill and screws or nails. The best way to identify when a gutter needs to be repaired is by looking for signs of standing water or sagging. These are indicators that the gutter isn’t doing its job of directing rainwater away from your foundation. This can lead to foundation cracks and basement flooding.