Two Common Roof Repairs And How To Handle Them
The roof on your house is designed to protect the interior from the elements. When it becomes damaged, those elements can cause problems like water rot, mold, etc. It's important to regularly inspect the roof for leaks or other obvious signs of damage. A lot of the repairs you may be able to do yourself if you are handy. This guide goes over some of the most common roof repairs that a home will need and how to solve them.
Loose Shingles
Shingles are a very common form of roofing material on residential properties. The shingles have a pretty decent life expectancy of 15 to 18 years. However, over time, they can become loose or be ripped away due to various factors like severe weather or age. If you notice any loose or missing shingles on the roof, you should repair it immediately. Shingles are installed by overlapping the row below it, so when there is a damaged shingle, it can cause issues with the ones beneath it. To repair the shingle, simply reline it up in the row and nail it down with penny nails. Shingles that are ripped should be thrown away and replaced with new ones.
Locating Leaks
Roof leaks are a huge problem for any property. One of the most common types is when a screw misses a frame and goes through the roof into the interior. You can usually spot these in your attic. It will look like a frosty screw. The hole of the screw allows water to seep in and can create water damage. Trim the screw and place a sealant over the hole. This should keep the water at bay until a professional can inspect it for further damage. Another known way to locate leaks is water stains on the ceilings of the home. The dripping water eventually finds its way through the layers of the ceiling and looks like a dark stain. This is a sign of a lot of water damage and should be repaired immediately.
Temporary Fixes
Sometimes the damage is so extreme that you cannot do it yourself but do not want to leave the roof exposed to the elements. In this case, you can implement a temporary fix until a professional can repair it. One of the best methods is using a tarp and stretching it over the damaged area. Make sure you weigh it down with bricks or other heavy objects, otherwise the wind may rip it off.