Even the strongest roof will eventually need repairs, and leaky roofing that goes undetected can cause extensive damage to both its surroundings and everything inside a home.
Roof repairs should be conducted between late spring and summer when conditions are ideal for repairs – when temperatures are mild, and your roof is dry. No matter when or how the work is completed, always abide by basic safety precautions.
Shingles
Before beginning actual repairs, take the time to inspect your attic or crawlspace for damage. Look out for signs such as water stains or loose or missing shingles as these could indicate problems that require attention.
Once you know where you want to make repairs, gather up the essential tools for the task at hand: ladder, safety harness, claw hammer with claw side and flat pry bar as well as asphalt roofing cement and nails. With all this essential gear ready, you should find your repair process much more manageable and successful.
Locate and remove any damaged shingles by sliding a pry bar beneath them until exposed nails can be seen, using the claw side of your hammer’s claw to break any free and remove it. If there is any space created by its removal, replace it with another 3-tab shingle and nail it into place using roofing nails, before adding roof sealant around its base to ensure its secure attachment.
Flashing
Flashing protects roof-meet structures such as chimneys, dormers and skylights from water leakage by sealing off corners and edges using thin metal material that seals off both inside and outside corners and edges to provide waterproofing to prevent water leakage from leaks in those areas.
If your ceiling has a leaky spot, chances are it is due to an issue in its flashing. Small holes may be patched with roof cement and additional sealant applications while larger gaps must be addressed as soon as possible for optimal watertightness.
To access the flashing, it will be necessary to carefully remove shingles in order to access it. When doing so, take care not to damage any roofing underneath. Once removed, cut a piece of flashing slightly longer than your gap and secure it using roofing nails before adding roof cement around its perimeter to form an impenetrable seal and ensure watertight sealing.
Gutters
Gutters that sag and leak can allow moisture to seep into your home, leading to mold, dampness and costly water damage repairs that require thousands of dollars in repairs. Luckily, clogged or leaking gutters can often be fixed relatively cost effectively by applying gutter sealant or metal repair patches.
An improperly functioning gutter could be sagging due to inadequate draining, improper slope or loose fascia hanger brackets which secure it to the home. Rusted sections may need to be completely replaced –
Loose roof hangers can be repaired using 6d galvanized roofing nails; new ones can be secured to fascia boards via drilling holes and attaching screws; for small holes in gutters use putty knife to apply roof cement/gutter sealant in thin layer before flushing to test seal effectiveness – check packaging for curing times!
Soffit
Your roof’s soffit and fascia provide shade from harsh weather while keeping moisture at bay from entering your house, helping regulate home temperatures by providing airflow through to your attic space.
Fascia and soffits made of wood can deteriorate over time if left untreated, however there are ways to repair an existing damaged soffit and get it back in good shape.
At first, it’s essential that you assess the condition of your soffit and fascia using either a ladder or in your attic, taking photographs as you go so you can later identify any problems. Look out for damp stains, swollen boards or any indications of standing water; additionally look out for signs of pest infestation like bee, hornet or wasp nests so as to contact an exterminator as soon as possible if found.