7 Tips For Roof Repair
One of the most valuable skills to have as a homeowner is knowing how to repair minor roof damage. Instead of spending lots of money on contractors and waiting for an available appointment, you can do some things yourself. Roof maintenance is a part of everyone’s life, and knowing how to recognize more extensive damage can save you later on. Also, learning how to fix small issues will give your roof an extra couple of years and will leave some money in your home budget. So, here are a few tips for roof repair.
How To Repair Minor Roof Damage
The first thing you should know is to distinguish between repair problems and replacement issues. If only the small areas are damaged and your roof is still new and under warranty, you’re good to go through with some repairs. Sometimes, your roof just can’t hold longer, and you will need a full-on replacement.
Water leaking is not as harmless as it may look. While you only see dark circles on your ceiling, roof leaks can cause more trouble. It can damage your attic’s construction, go into the electrical system, cause rotting wood, mold, and more. Therefore, you should aim to find the source of leaking and determine whether it’s something you can fix on your own, such as replacing a few shingles, or you will need to call professionals. Most leaks come from flashing and vents, so this should be your first place to look.
Once you decide to go out there and check the issue, make sure you’re wearing proper clothes. No, we’re not joking. It’s not a fashionable occasion, but having proper clothes may save you from hurting yourself or worse. You should always wear work pants or jeans and a long-sleeve shirt. However, the biggest issue is shoes. Make sure to put on rubber-soled shoes so you’ll prevent any slipping. Also, be aware that no clothes will protect you if your roof is wet or too damaged and cracking.
If you notice that your roof has curling shingles or some of them are missing, make sure to fix the issue immediately. Aging can cause curling up and shed, but use roofing cement or tar and tack them down the moment you see them. Find matching ones and fix the problem if shingles are loose or completely off. Try to find shingles that are the same as existing ones, as your roof may not look as representative when having several different shingle types.
If you have a brick chimney, you’ll want to maintain it properly. If you find missing bricks, cracks, or flashing around the chimney base is just too old, it’s time to repair it. Otherwise, you may have severe leaking and that’s something we’re aiming to avoid.
Whether you thought about it earlier or not, it’s helpful knowing that roofs need some air to prevent moisture from damaging insulation and the occurrence of mold and rotten wood. Therefore, venting your attic from time to time is extremely important if you want to preserve your roof in good shape for as long as possible.
Finally, you should recognize when is the time to call professionals. It’s not a shame not being able to fix everything yourself. After all, if anyone could do a contractor’s job, we wouldn’t be paying them as much. These guys are on duty to help with severe issues and help extend our roof’s life for at least another few years. Once you figure you’re head over heels, it’s time to ring a trustworthy contractor and let them do the job.