Do You Need to Replace Your Roof?
Do You Need to Replace Your Roof?
Leakage from water entering your home can cause considerable damage, ranging from mold growth and the decaying of drywall to lasting lasting structural issues.
Prevent this from happening by conducting regular roof inspections, looking out for missing shingles, cracked shingles and musty smells to help assess whether or not a complete replacement of your roof is necessary.
Damaged Shingles
Many homeowners opt to repair individual shingles rather than replace them as this offers a cheaper and quicker solution to leakage problems and protects the roof in the short term. Unfortunately, water can find its way into cracks between shingles which could then compromise underlayments, leading it into the home through leaks.
To repair a damaged shingle, use a caulking gun to apply a thick bead of roofing sealant under it, placing a brick over each corner to keep weight down until the sealant sets.
If the damage is minor, contact the shingle manufacturer about their warranty policy and inquire whether your homeowner's insurance policy covers full replacement versus repairs or patching alone. Should it cover full replacement, this allows for better materials and solutions on your roof and will likely outlive repairs alone.
Cracked Shingles
Cracked shingles can quickly cause major issues for any roof. Water naturally seeks out its lowest point, and even minor damages to one shingle could block drainage and allow moisture into your home. Replacing one damaged shingle is usually straightforward and offers the greatest opportunity to keep moisture at bay.
Shingles may become cracked over time or from heat exposure, but this doesn't indicate quality or failure – rather it may be the result of an involuntary process called "craze-cracking".
Before climbing your roof to replace damaged shingles, first use binoculars to assess the situation from ground level using binoculars. This will enable you to determine how many replacement shingles you require as well as the extent of any hidden damage beneath the surface. When up on the roof itself, use a flat pry bar to dislodge nails holding in old shingle in place and carefully disassemble it to take its place with new one securely attached in its place. Remove the damaged one, secure its replacement securely then!
Missing Shingles
Even though one or two shingles might have come loose during a recent storm, that does not immediately put your roof at risk of leakage. But having exposed sheathing leaves it more susceptible to water damage that may spread into your attic or elsewhere in your home over time.
Leaks in roofs that remain unrepaired can quickly lead to mold growth, water damage to insulation and drywall, structural issues in your attic or home, as well as potential mold. When you notice one or two missing shingles it is worth seeking professional assistance to assess and repair them as soon as possible.
If you want to replace the shingle yourself, the ideal conditions would be cooler temperatures when asphalt sealant can be more easily cut through with a flat pry bar. In addition, finding one with identical dimensions as your damaged one would help ensure you don't end up cutting it too short and risk having buckled and torn edges on your roof surface.
Flashing Issues
Flashing protects exterior surfaces such as rooflines, chimneys, gutters, dormer walls and window sills from water infiltration and structural damage by covering seams between them and exterior surfaces like rooflines, chimneys, gutters, gutters, dormer walls and window sills with thin pieces of metal covering them. Once separated from a house's structure, water can enter through any gap or opening and cause lasting structural issues. Flashings consist of thin pieces of metal used to cover seams between exterior surfaces such as rooflines, chimneys, gutters dormer walls and window sills where water may enters before entering through cracks in flashings – similar thin pieces used to cover seams in exterior surfaces such as rooflines, chimneys gutters dormer walls and window sills – for protection.
Flashing issues can arise for a number of reasons, including improper installation and ventilation conditions as well as natural degradation over time. If you suspect flashing issues on your roof system, it would be prudent to contact a roofing professional for an evaluation and inspection.
Leaks tend to occur around protrusions on a roof, such as skylights, chimneys, stack lines or valleys. Most leaks can be fixed with caulk, while sometimes replacement flashing may be required. Look out for signs of damage such as discolored felt paper or mold growth in the attic; or perhaps discolored ceiling tiles near suspected areas below them if this is occurring; in these instances contact a roofing professional immediately so that he/she can inspect and replace flashing as soon as possible.
Roofing companies lafayette la
Roofing contractors baton rouge
Roofing contractors in baton rouge
Do You Need to Replace Your Roof? Leakage from water entering your home can cause considerable damage, ranging from mold growth and the decaying of drywall to lasting lasting structural issues. Prevent this from happening by conducting regular roof inspections, looking out for missing shingles, cracked shingles and musty smells to help assess whether or…