From all parts of the house, the roof serves one main purpose, namely to offer your family a safe haven against rough weather. However, the durability, appearance and structure of your roof may decrease over the years. For this reason, you occasionally get roof damage such as missing shingles or damaged tiles. It is important to fix roof damage as soon as possible before causing major problems later. Neglecting a minor roof problem can result in expensive repairs and full roof replacement, which can lead to unexpectedly high costs.
Check out the general roof damage and repair options listed below.
Roof leaks
Not all roof leaks are created equal, as some are fairly obvious and others are difficult to detect and locate. Water can appear on a ceiling area that is away from the roof leak. How do you assess the exact location of the leak? Press the insulation and check whether there is a plastic vapor barrier on the ceiling between the attic insulation and the drywall. Water normally runs in vapor barrier openings, such as on the lights in the ceiling.
If there are no flow marks due to a relatively small stain, look for "highlights" on the underside of the roof, which are missing nails of the frame element. It is true if the carpenter nailed the roof mantle to the rafters. This happens because moisture tends to escape from the other rooms below to the attic and condense on cold nails. If you climb the attic you can also see it on a cold night where the nails look white due to frost. During the day, the attic heats up and melts the frost.
How to fix the problem: The solution to roof leaks is to seal them and fix the nail with a side cutter. If the leaks persist and are very difficult to locate, contact a roof repair company immediately. An experienced roofer has the right tools and equipment, as well as the knowledge and skills to diagnose roof problems.
Missing gutter apron
If water flows from the roof edge, it can stick to the underside of the shingles and drip in the direction of the fascia wood. The lack of the gutter apron creates a water wick behind the gutter. Over time, the bezel becomes softer and the roof skin rots. Water stains can be seen below the gutter, which is a sure sign of a missing gutter apron.
How to fix a missing gutter apron:
- When buying new shingles, add a gutter apron to replace old ones. You can buy a gutter apron at home centers, which are usually available in lengths of 10 feet.
- You can also slide a gutter apron under the existing tiles or shingles. Dab roof cement every few meters to "glue" the gutter apron to the shingles and hold them in place.
- Remove the gutter tapes or brackets and reattach them after the gutter skirt is attached.
Hail damage
If you live in an area with frequent hailstorms, large hailstones can hit the asphalt shingles on your roof. Usually it pushes granulate from the roof surface. This can also cause the shingle to crack or puncture. The UV rays of the sun can destroy the protective layer of your roof or its granulate. The more granules fall off the damaged area, the greater the bruise.
Remedy: Even though the damage may not be obvious, have a reliable roofer do a professional roof inspection if you suspect hail damage after a hailstorm. Many factors can cause the extent of the hail damage, and the potential insurance claim depends heavily on the hail speed, the angle of fall, the hail size, shape and density. For this reason, a specialist must be sought for proper assessment and documentation to prove your claim.
Broken or missing shingles
Dark areas can be seen on the roof, in which a shingle used to be. Worn or damaged seals due to rough weather or rodents cause missing shingles. Shingles can break in many parts and can be distributed in the yard. Shingles can also come off in one piece.
How to fix the problem: Replace broken or missing shingles with closely matched shingles that you currently have. Check out additional shingles and you can fix this problem yourself or contact a roofer if you're too busy or relentless to do this roofing job properly.
Conclusion
There are many possible reasons why your roof could be damaged. Roof leaks, hail damage and missing gutter apron are just a few of the many roof problems you will encounter during the life of your roof. Solving these roofing problems is critical to maintaining longevity and avoiding expensive roof repairs and replacements.
