There are lots of different ways that your roof can encounter damage. A falling tree branch, missing shingles, an ice dam, and more will all cause damage. Because of this, there are several different ways to fix your roof if it does take on damage. Here’s how to fix the most common damaged roof problems so you’re prepared should something happen.
When To Call The Professionals To Fix a Damaged Roof
If you find yourself with a damaged roof, you first need to assess it and see whether it’s something you can handle for yourself. If the damage is minimal, you can fix that damage and carry on. However, if it’s too complex or has damaged a large section of your roof, then you’ll want to look into getting an expert to fix it for you.
Even if you’re an experienced DIYer, there will be some damaged roof repairs that you’re better off leaving to roofers. You don’t want to do the job wrong by accident or put yourself in danger by attempting a repair. If you’re ever unsure, make sure you talk to the experts.
1. Replacing Shingles
The most basic damaged roof repair is the replacement of shingles. These can get pulled off or broken by all kinds of things, such as high winds or hot sun. Whatever has damaged the shingles, you’ll need to repair them to ensure your roof is fully protected.
Find the damaged shingles, and use a flat pry bar to remove the first row of nails holding them in place. Once you have all nails out, you’ll be able to pop the shingle out. To replace it, you’ll place the new one in the same spot and nail it in with 11/4 inch roofing nails.
2. How To Find And Fix A Small Leak
If your roof is leaking, there will be signs such as dripping water and ceiling stains. Seeing these signs? Then you’ll need to locate the leak. The best place to start is the attic. Take a look around, and see if there are any signs such as mold, water stains, or marks. If you find these, you’ll be able to track down the leak. If you still can’t find it, one trick is to get on the roof with a hose and start spraying water on the roof. If you work in sections, you’ll be able to see where the water is coming in.
If the leak is coming from an exposed part of the roof, you can replace the shingles, and that should solve the issue. Another common cause of leaking is misplaced nails. These are nails that missed the framing member when the roof was installed and so stick out. Moisture in the attic will condense on the nail and then warm up during the day, dripping down. You can easily fix this by clipping the nail to stop this from happening.
3. Fixing Ice Dams
Ice dams happen when snow melts off your roof and then refreezes at the edge of the roof. This causes a barrier, which stops water from running off the roof and leading to water damage. If you’re seeing this happening on your roof, there are ways to fix it.
If you see leaks from ice dams, you can stop them by installing suitable flashing under the soffit. To do this, you’ll need to remove the shingles and slip in an ice and water barrier into that gap. Once that’s done, you’ll need to add flashing behind the fascia board and reshingle the area.
This will stop the leaks, but you’ll also want to look at the insulation in your attic. A lot of ice dams happen because the warm air from your home rises to the attic, and if it’s not well insulated, then the warm air heats the roof, allowing snow to melt.
4. Replacing Flashing
The flashing on your roof is designed to protect the ‘seams’ in it, such as where the roof meets your chimney. With suitable flashing, no water should be able to get in and cause any damage. Over time, though, flashing gets worn and will not be able to do its job properly. That’s where you’ll need to replace the flashing and fix this problem.
To replace flashing, first, remove the old flashing by removing the shingles that sit over it. Then, remove the old flashing, and fix a new piece in place. Once you’ve done that, you can replace the shingles. It’s an easy fix, but one you should do before leaks start to occur.
5. Fix Small Holes In The Roof
If there are large holes in your damaged roof, then that’s something that you’ll need an expert to take a look at. More likely, though, you have small holes in your roof that need to be taken care of. These can be created by all sorts of things, like a satellite dish that has been removed from the roof. These holes are small, but they still can allow water in, so you’ll need to tackle them.
Many would try to fix the problem by caulking the holes, but this won’t provide lasting protection. The better move is to install flashing under the shingles that have holes, to protect underneath from weather damage.
6. Clear Blocked Gutters
Blocked gutters lead to leaks, as rainwater can’t be directed away from your roof. Instead, it overflows back under the shingles and then gets into the roof. This is a simple fix, though, as you need to clear out the blockage.
You can do this with a pair of gloves and a trash bag. The blockage is probably debris such as fallen leaves, so you can scoop it out and unclog the gutters. Add a gutter guard once you’ve done this, and you’ll avoid future blockages.
There are several damaged roof repairs that you can do yourself and help you keep it in top condition. Inspect it regularly, and carry out these repairs should you need to. If you ever need further help, always call an expert.
