A well-maintained roof provides a strong barrier against rain, snow, wind, and harsh sunlight. By repairing minor issues before they aggravate larger ones, you can extend the life of your roof and prevent costly repairs down the road.
Surface repair is relatively inexpensive and reasonably easy to carry out – provided the weather cooperates. Late spring through summer is a good time to get the job done. Visit https://www.ellingsonroofing.com/roofing-helena-mt to learn more.
Damaged shingles can cause moisture to leak through your roof, and if you don’t repair them promptly, they can lead to more serious problems. The first step in repairing shingle damage is to determine what caused it. Common causes of shingle damage include high winds, temperature changes, and aging shingles.
If a shingle is simply cracked, instead of requiring replacement, you can easily repair it by applying roofing sealant. To do this, climb up on your roof and locate the damaged shingle. Using a pry bar, loosen the nail and adhesive that hold the shingle in place. Once the shingle is loose, remove it and remove any nails that penetrated the shingles above it.
Next, apply a thick bead of roofing sealant under the crack. Use a putty knife to spread it across the surface, making sure to fill in all of the cracks. You can camouflage the repair by gathering granules from the old shingle into a cup and covering the sealant with them. This will cover up the sealant and make it look like a natural part of the shingle.
You can also fix a broken shingle by replacing it with a new one. If it is a 3-tab shingle, retail a new shingle onto the roof by sliding it underneath the shingles that are overlapping it. Then, use a pry bar to lift the shingles and remove any that are loose or cracked.
If you notice a spot on your roof that is missing a lot of granules, this is a clear sign of deterioration. The granules on the shingles provide a layer of protection against UV rays, so losing a large area of them leaves your roof exposed to sun damage.
If the shingles are in bad shape, you can replace them by climbing up on your roof and loosening the adhesive underneath with a flat pry bar. Once the shingles are loose, use a hammer claw to lift them and pull out the loosened nails. Once you’ve removed the damaged shingle, slide the replacement into its place and secure it with nails that are nailed through the nail strip.
Damaged Flashing
Roof flashing is a thin strip of metal that seals against water around weak points in the roof such as chimneys, vent pipes and skylights. It is also used to prevent leaks from developing along the valleys where two different roof pitches meet. It is important to regularly inspect the condition of your roof flashing and to take action when it shows signs of damage.
Flashing is made from tough material that is designed to last a long time. However, over time, severe weather and other factors can cause it to deteriorate. Wind, hail, acid rain and extreme heat can degrade the material. In coastal areas, exposure to salt air can further corrode flashing.
Signs that your roof flashing is damaged include visible disfiguration such as warping, bending, cracking or wrinkling. Cracking or wrinkling on the surface of flashing is particularly alarming as it can allow water to penetrate into the structure of your home. It can also expose the underlying roofing materials to water and speed up the rate of corrosion. Bends or dents on flashing are also serious as they can break the galvanized coating and lead to rust and corrosion.
If you have any of the symptoms of a damaged flashing, it is important to contact a professional for repairs. The longer you wait to address the issue, the more extensive and costly your repairs will be. It is also important to have a professional roofer inspect your roof on an annual basis. They can spot damage to flashing before it becomes a major problem and recommend any necessary repairs.
A roof repair specialist will gently pry up the shingles surrounding the area of the damaged flashing to expose it. They will then remove the rusted or corroded flashing and replace it. They will ensure that the new flashing is sealed and waterproofed to provide protection against water damage.
Leaks in the roof can have a devastating effect on your home. If left unattended, they can cause damage to internal walls, ceilings and floorboards. They can also cause mold and wood rot. The best way to avoid these problems is to have a professional inspection done by a licensed roofer, such as KY-KO Roofing, on an annual basis.
Built-Up Roofing (BUR)
BUR roofing systems are a common choice for commercial warehouses, industrial buildings, and large retail centers. Their layered construction and durability make them ideal for these high-traffic environments. However, like any other roof system, they can be susceptible to water infiltration. Regular inspections and maintenance are necessary to ensure that potential issues get fixed quickly.
A BUR roof’s multiple layers also mean it can be difficult to detect problems. In fact, finding leaks on a BUR roof can be difficult even for a trained professional. This is because the layers can be quite thick and hard to penetrate. Once damage is noticed, a BUR roof repair technician will need to cut through several layers to access the problem area.
Different types of issues with BUR roofs call for different repairs. Some common problems include open joints, blisters, and waves. Each of these types of roof issues has a specific repair process that your contractor will use.
Open Joints: Sometimes seams on a BUR roof can separate due to aging or impurities in the roofing materials. To fix this issue, your contractor will need to use a knife to slice through the damp layers of the roof until he or she reaches a dry layer underneath. Once the damp layers are removed, the contractor will need to add more felt and asphalt to the spot to re-seam the seam.
Blisters: A blister on a BUR roof is the result of water getting trapped under the layers of the roof. To repair a blister, your contractor will need to slice through the roof layers until he or she gets to a dry layer. Once the wet layers are removed, the contractor will need to re-layer the area with more felt, asphalt, and chippings or a liquid top coating.
BUR roofing has a long history as an effective commercial roof type. However, their multi-layered structure can make them more challenging to repair than other types of roofing systems. The good news is that once the initial installation is complete, they are relatively low-maintenance and can last for decades before they need a major re-roof.
Repairing Leaks
The primary function of a roof is to act as a barrier against rain, snow, hail and harsh sunlight. But it’s not infallible — high winds, falling debris and normal wear and tear can damage or loosen shingles and tiles. That’s why regular inspections are so important. A good roof repair professional will check for signs of damage and deterioration, including missing shingles or tiles, weakened or curled up flashing, and leaking seams and joints.
Leaks can be the most difficult and expensive problem to fix. When left unattended, leaks can lead to rotted wood, mold growth and water penetration inside the home. It’s also a major source of energy waste, as conditioned air escapes and outside air infiltrates the home. The good news is, there are a variety of ways to prevent and repair leaks.
One way is to simply seal the leak with roof sealant. This can be a DIY project, but you’ll want to have the right materials and someone to help you. First, you’ll need to find the leak. You can do this by walking around the exterior of your house and looking for areas where moisture collects. Common points of leakage include roof valleys, the apex of your roof, or the flashing around chimneys and dormer windows.
Another way to find a leak is to get up into the attic and look for evidence of water damage. Look for flow stains on the drywall and ceiling spots, as well as damp or dark areas in the attic insulation. You can also run a hose up on the roof and watch for drips in the interior of your home. If you find a spot where water is appearing in your house, mark it on the attic floor so you can easily track it down.
If you discover a leak in your roof, it’s essential to act promptly. A leaky roof allows conditioned air to escape and outside air to infiltrate your home, increasing your energy bills and wearing out your heating or cooling system. Properly repairing your leaks and adding insulation can significantly reduce your energy consumption, saving you money and helping to protect the environment.