Indicators for When You Need a Roof Repair

After building or owning your home, the roof is the least of your worries until one day you come across a patch on the ceiling or a paddle of water in the middle of the house. Sometimes the causes of such leaks are beyond control like bad weather.

Thoughts of replacing your roof occupy your thoughts and while it may be the only option, it can also be quite an expensive undertaking.

In this article, you’ll learn of how to identify various cause of leaks and roof damage that can warrant repairs.

1. Destroyed Flashing

Creases between parts like roofs, skylights and chimneys are protected by a material known as flashing. Most of the time, the material is made of plastic or sheet metal. Besides the above areas, flashing is also on venting pipes located underneath the roofing.

If the flashing is worn, lose or cracked, the area held together will be susceptible to moisture and rain. The issue can be fixed by replacing the worn flashing with a new one.

2. Worn-Out Sealant

Sealant is used to seal the edges of skylights together with flashing. If the sealant wears out or is aged, the seal will break and leaks will follow. Fixing this needs a new sealant or tar to apply in the broken parts.

3. Dents and Punctures

Roofs are bound to develop punctures during bad weather due to breaking branches. Animals can also cause dents which can in the long run develop into holes that can let in rain water and other debris. In some of these situations the damage can be quite significant.

The best way to resolve this is by calling a professional to fix it which may require replacing a section of the roof. Keep in mind you need to set aside some amount to cater for the labor costs which can cost you $300 to $1,000.

4. Damaged Venting Boots

The boots seals areas around the vents from elements like rain and moisture. It works in the same principle as flashing seals on the roof. If the boot is damaged, it can result in leaks. Nevertheless, you can fix the problem by replacing the boots with new ones.

5. Missing or Damages Shingles

This is a common occurrence. Sometimes shingles can get damaged or go missing due to a number of factors acting on them such as:

· A hailstorm that can cause breakage and cracks

· Animal activity that can cause breaks and cracks

· Bad weather such as winds that can rip off shingles or cause them to loosen

· Pooling water or excessive ice that can add extra weight on them

· The protective surface on the shingles can wear out

To fix this, you can replace old shingles with new ones. With pooling water and snow, you might want to be proactive in the future to prevent damage.

6. Corrosion of Vertical Slits

One of the most vulnerable areas on roofing tiles is the slit in between. This part can corrode quite fast due to water running on them. Corrosion of this area can cause exposure of underlying roofing material which can be damaged by elements like water.

To solve this, you can replace corroded shingles immediately you notice such.

Conclusion

If your roofing problems include aesthetic damage and leaks, you can fix the issue without replacing the whole roof. Sometimes, however, the best option will be to install a new roof instead of patching up affected areas.

All in all, since roofing is a one-time affair, it is important to hire reliable roofers like Roofer Henrico VA to perform thorough inspections once in a while. This is vital, especially if your roof is more than 20 years old.