Tag: roof repair

Roof damage is an unavoidable—but not necessarily inevitable—issue that homeowners should deal with immediately. The further damage that can be done leads to more necessary residential roof repair. This includes a wide range of issues, many of which increase repair costs over time. If a roof has been damaged by a storm, the elements (rain, snow, hail, etc.) have a greater chance of entering the attic and trickling down into the home. This can create water damage on walls, floors, and ceilings. Not receiving appropriate residential roof repair may also result in water leaking into wiring, affecting the electricity. This can certainly increase repair costs and can decrease the value of a home.

Causes of Residential Roof Repair

A roof that has an opening can increase the entrance of outside air, an action that can increase humidity and air conditioning costs. When a home has poor ventilation, homes may need more heating during the winter and cooling during the summer. This increases heating and air usage, something that may contribute to the toll on the environment. Furthermore, if humidity increases in a home, breathing issues may result in a specific subset of individuals (particularly those prone to breathing difficulties). Without appropriate residential roof repair, this humidity can also attract insects, as many invasive varieties thrive in wet or humid conditions. This may make it necessary for home owners to also seek out the help of an insect control specialist.

When it comes to residential roof repair, it is always important for homeowners to ask repair companies for modern, durable materials for their home; however, many repair companies already use these materials. Still, it is always best to make sure so the roof will hold up to rain, wind, or snow. Typically, materials today are incredibly durable and are well worth the initial investment. Installing low-quality roofing only increases the chances of damage. This further increases the incidence of unnecessary emergency repair bills for a number of other interrelated roof-related issues.

As time goes by there are many ways our roofs can become damaged or worn in some way, and this includes shingle roof repair. From minor leaks and breaks to larger issues, you can fix some of those without professional help. However, for quite a few of them you will need such to make sure your home is safe. The tips up ahead will give you some information on what you can do to assess the situation and fix most of the issues on shingle roofs. Always remember to only work on the roof as long as its dry and safe to walk on. Your roof protects you and your family from the elements. If you think you’re in need of a repair, follow these tips for shingle roof repair.

Shingle Roof Repair: Check for Damage

The first step in shingle roof repair is to check for damage. You should begin by checking for damage to the roofing shingles right above the spot where you have the leak occurring. You will likely have a higher chance of finding the spot when you have to work on a flat roof. However, leaks can sometimes happen some distance away from the place where the real damage is. It’s important to keep your eyes open and analyze the clues. If you have a slanted roof you should expect gravity to take its toll. Look for the damage above the point where you saw the leak first. The points of origin may be hidden compared to other types or roof. If your home has an attic, you should check it out with a flashlight for possible water stains, mold or black marks. If you can, run a hose with some water on the roof to find the leak origins. This will be a two person job, so get some help if you can.

Look for the curled, damaged or missing shingles close to the leak as well as roofing tacks that are exposed. This is a simple, yet crucial part of the process.

Straighten Out Curled Shingles

Straighten out the shingles that have been curled back by the damage. If you’re doing this in cold weather, you should focus on softening them up first with something such as a blowtorch (be very careful). You can also use another heat source that helps in keeping things soft. When you’re using an open flame you should keep in mind that the shingles are flammable due to the asphalt used in their making.

Reattach Missing Shingles

Put back and reattach the shingles after straightening them. You can straighten them with a good amount of roof cement or a similar compound used around its edges.

Replace all damaged shingles by checking out which ones you can lift off the roof with minimal effort. Keep an eye out for those shingles that are crumbling as well. Remove them by lifting their edges and removing the nails. Scrape the area so you can remove the leftover cement and prepare it for reapplication again. Use a sharp and good utility knife to scrape things off and to round the corners of the shingles you need to put in. Slide the shingle into place and put the galvanized roofing nails into the upper corner, then cover their heads with roofing cement.

Now you can protect your home from roof damage and you will know what to do when you need shingle roof repair.

 

Roofs develop leaks in time as the years roll by, which requires flat roof repair. Sometimes these repairs force the entire replacement of the structure itself. These leaks are most often concentrated in certain spots where the damage lies, however on flat roofs this mostly applies to cracked or blistered areas that need urgent attention. Use the following tips for flat roof repair to get your roof back in top shape without further ado.

Flat roofs are made of layers upon layers of tar and felt. Many times, flat roofs are made up of rubber roofing as well. The leaks most often show up where the water or sunlight has been damaging the roofing. Thankfully in cases like these the damage is most often right over the spot where the water has started to seep in, so this makes it easy to spot and engage in flat roof repair.

Flat Roof Repair: Fixing Leaks

Follow the following tips for flat roof repair to get rid of the leak, repair the issue, and avoid leaks in the future.

1. Clean Up Leak

• If you have any water pooled up in the area of the leak, then you should soap it up and mop the place. Do so with rags if you have to and brush away the gravel from that spot. Look down for cracks and blisters and the locations where the spots need attention.

• Mending a blister doesn’t take too much work, just follow a few easy steps up next:

2. Removing Old Leak Spot

• Using a sharp utility knife you should slice blisters open, but only enough to cut through the top layer and not through the roofing felt.

• Lift the edges of the blister you’ve just cut. If you have any water inside that happened to collect there, then you should do your best to collect it. Soak it up and then prop the edges open so it can dry out completely. This is necessary or else your repair attempts won’t work at all.

3. Drying Leak

• Cold weather or wet layers force you to use your propane torch in a way that dries out the layers. You must use a flame-spreader nozzle to dry out the areas. Move the flame around as you have to, just keep in mind that the tar and roofing felt are pretty flammable so do your best to avoid setting them aflame.

• If you have a large area full of water under the roof, then you may have a bigger problem than simple blisters. Water might be running right through other places. You should consider using the services of a professional roofer.

4. Fill Leak

• Spread the roof cement on the bottom edges of the felt. You need to glue and press down the blister until it works perfectly.

• Close the blister once and for all by using some galvanized roofing nails on the side of the slit. Then spread the roof cement on top until the you completely cover the nails.

Once all is said and done you should have all the problems fixed as much as possible without too much effort involved.

This article has been created on behalf of: http://www.removalserviceslondon.com

Autumn is here and with it come the rains and the approaching winter season, which means you’ll need to pay special attention to your roofs for possible leaks before you need shingle roof repairs. These leaks are most often caused by missing or cracked shingles or a blistered area depending on the type of roof. Thankfully, shingle roofs are fairly easy to deal with as they require the least amount of serious effort to fix in most cases.

What to Know About Shingle Roof Repairs

Once you’ve located the point where the damage has occurred you should check for possible curled, cracked or even missing shingles. This goes doubly so for places where you have vents and chimneys as they are more vulnerable to such deterioration.

If you fail to locate any spots with your own skills you may need emergency roof repair services, so keep that in mind as you prepare yourself.

What to Do If You Find Problems

If you do manage to find problems with your shingles you can deal with the shingle roof repairs fairly easily. In cases of curled-back shingles you can reinforce and reattach them with a caulking gun or alternately with asphalt roof cement. When you’re dealing with shingle roof repairs on warm days straightening shingles can be a very easy task as they soften up. However cold weather makes them brittle and in need of softening.

Softening up a brittle shingle requires the use of a propane torch. You’ll need a good nozzle to spread the flames as well before you begin. Use the flames around the curled edges of the shingle. This allows them to  soften up. Avoid putting too much heat or you risk setting the shingle aflame. Once its softened up you’ll find its very easy to flatten it back to its original shape.

Reattaching or Replacing the Shingles

Reattaching a shingle is an equally easy task. Simply lather roof cement liberally over its bottom. Then put a good deal of it on each of its corners and that will be enough to get things done. Remember to press the shingle into place once you’re done.

If you have any missing, rotten or torn shingles, you should make sure you replace them with new ones as soon as possible. The last thing you want is more leaks. Once the weather turns bad during a time when shingle roof repairs will be difficult.

When You Need a Full Replacement

If you are experiencing a large area of damaged or rotten shingles, then you will be in need of a brand new roof. You should consider working with a professional roofer. Or you can replace the damaged shingles yourself with new ones or leftovers from previous times you’ve done this.

If you can’t find good, matching ones you can work at patching things with bits of aluminium and copper.

Shingle Roof Repairs: How to

Replacing shingles can be done in the following way:

• Remove the damaged shingle by raising the edges of the shingles around it, then remove the nails with a pry bar. Slide the old shingle out, then scrape any leftover cement under it to clean it up.
• Remove any leftover nails that are protruding from the roof.
• Round the back corners of the shingles using a sharp utility knife for easier placement.
• Slide the new shingle in place. Make sure you align its front edge with the shingles on each of its sides. It should align its back under the shingles on the row above.
• Lift the corners of the shingles overlapping and each other and fasten the top of the shingle with galvanized roofing nails at each of the corners. Cover their heads with roof cement and smooth down the edges of the shingles.

Guest post provided on behalf of: fulham-removals services

If you own a home and are guilty of postponing roof repair as necessary, you are not alone. It is surprisingly common for homeowners to put off calling someone to repair roofing problems that are small because they do not understand how important even the little things can be. In reality, there are many situations that warrant repair roofing, and can help extend the life expectancy of your roof.

When Is It Time for a Professional to Repair Roofing Problems?

In order to know when a professional must repair roofing problems, you need to be observant. Watching for missing or damaged shingles, algae growth, or signs of water damage, can help you decide when your roof is in need of some attention. While a few damaged or missing shingles may seem like a small detail, it is crucial that your roofing materials be well maintained so they can protect your home from weather conditions, insects, animals, and prevent heat from escaping your home.

Typically, small repairs are quite affordable. Especially if you make it a point to schedule routine maintenance checks at least once every year, you can usually avoid costly problems that can start out as a minor concern. If your roof requires more expensive repairs, asking about payment plans or financing options that you might qualify for could help you fit the cost into your budget.

Why Don’t People Repair Roofs?

It can be easy to avoid calling someone to repair roofing problems when it is regularly out of sight. But you must remember the big picture. The roof of your home is your first line of defense against rain, snow, and other environmental factors. By keeping it in great shape, you can expect to enjoy reliable shelter when you need it. In addition, a roof that is properly maintained can reduce the costs of monthly heating and cooling. This is because it will be more effective at preventing the treated air from escaping.

When you notice a few missing or damaged shingles, come across signs of water damage, or discover unwelcome critters in your home, it may be time to invest in roof repair. Although some repairs may be large, expensive projects, most can be prevented by fixing problems when they are small. With a strong roof over your head, you can enjoy having shelter from the storm. You may even save some money on your monthly bills.