The roof of one’s house often escapes notice since it is tucked well out of view and is rarely visited by choice. For that reason, weather and climactic factors can wreak havoc on the health of your roof, causing damage to the roofing materials and throwing costly repairs your way. One way to avoid expensive repairs is to be aware of how weather and other wear and tear factors affect your roof and to diligently carry out smaller, timely repairs.
What Are The Signs?
There are always signs and indicators that your roof has been damaged or is in need of repairs. These signs may go unnoticed since some houses have attics or basements for example that are rarely visited and therefore water damage and fungal growths can occur there and go unnoticed for quite some time. In properties that are seldom occupied or used as short-term rentals may also face this problem as the owner does not notice that the damage has accumulated.
- Water damage or leaks are always considered one of the first tell-tale signs that something is wrong. Leaks indicate a loose or cracked shingle through which insulation sheets have been damaged and even mold may have grown. Water damage usually indicates that small or considerable leakages have been occurring for some time and that water has seeped through the walls destroying the paint and even threatening the integrity of the wall itself. Malfunctioning drainage on your roof (depending on the type of roof it is) can also be responsible for this problem.
- Organic growth on your roof simply indicates poor roof hygiene. Experts such as Liberty Lake Roofing suggest getting your roof professionally cleaned at least twice a year and more if you live in an area that is prone to rain, snow or storms. Fallen leaves, branches and animal feces can accumulate and cause bacteria and mold to grow. This can eventually erode and damage the roofing material. Moisture will also build up as a result and cause drainage and ventilation to be affected.
- If your roof is sloping inwardly or looking concave, that is a serious issue. Rain or snow over years could have damaged its structural integrity and caused it to bend. This happens in properties that are very old or very exposed to the elements such as cabins in forests and so forth.
- If parts of your roofing material are missing or cracked such as ceramic shingles, then that is the beginning of leakage problems so address this issue before it progresses. It is as they say, ‘a stitch in time saves nine!’
DIY For Common Repairs
If you are used to carrying out basic home repairs yourself then the following steps can come in useful.
- While it is always recommended to contact a Dayton roofing contractor for roof inspection and repair tasks, you can climb onto your roof yourself with the help of a reliable ladder or other tools such as a climbing harness. Certain roofs are much trickier than others such as sloping roofs or ones only accessible from the exterior of the house. Slipping from a roof of a two or three storey house can even be fatal so it is not recommended for people with joint problems like arthritis or elderly individuals. Try to set up a fall protection apparatus on the ground if possible and use your best non-slip footwear that is intended to maintain balance.
- Use a torch or search light to correctly deduce any damage that has occurred. If you want to contact a contractor and consult them, you can take pictures of the damage. Pictures are also useful if you want to patch up minor issues and need to purchase roofing materials or repair materials. This is also the time to accurately measure the scale of the damage so you can buy materials accordingly. This can also be helpful in getting an estimate from a professional.
- Buy supplies from a good hardware store like a nail gun, hammer, replacement shingles and anything else you may need. If your insulation sheet or roofing sheet is extensively damaged, it is wise to hire a contractor as you might do more harm than good on your own.
- Try to clear the roof of organic growth and debris like dead leaves, mush and dirt so you have a clean place to work. Giving the roof a thorough cleaning can also make it easier to detect signs of damage. Using a power washer or any other specialized cleaning gadget can make the cleaning more effective and thorough.
Basic Helpful Tools
The following tools are perfect for DIY repairs for common roofing issues.
- A roofing nail gun secures roofing materials like shingles very well as no one really does the manual approach anymore, not to mention the results would be inconsistent and uneven. A roofing nail gun is used by a Chilliwack roofing contractor among a multitude of other professional tools.
- A pry bar can help remove loose or broken shingles and a great quality one can get the job done properly without risking injury to yourself. A utility knife can also be a handy little gadget in just about any home repair task so it is a wonderful item to have in your tool kit.
- Roofing sealant or cement can fill in holes in a roof, secure old or new shingles in place and provide waterproofing over areas that were previously damaged. Flashing has a similar use as it seals joints and provides waterproofing around areas like chimneys and open vents.
- Don’t forget appropriate nails for the job! Nails will hold your repairs in place for months or years to come and they do come in different standards of quality.
Conclusion
Roof repair can seem a daunting prospect but if you are a regular handyman for odd jobs around the house, some relevant tutorials may be all you need to carry out some timely roof repairs. When in doubt, consult the professionals for their expert help!