Understanding Different Types of Roof Damages and Their Repairs
Many people do not prioritize roof repairs as they do not believe them to be as life-threatening as structural or foundational problems. As a homeowner, it is highly essential for one to be attentive toward roof repairs and maintenance. The average lifespan of a roof ranges between a decade or two. Over time, the roofing system is bound to deteriorate. Here are three common types of roof damages and their repairs for your better understanding.
Shingle Damage
Continuous exposure of shingles to sunlight, rain, or snow can damage them with time. The shingles can curl or crack due to improper installation as well. Poor installation includes inadequate nailing or incorrect sealing, which can damage the shingle. Other than that, shingles are also vulnerable to deterioration or curling with the passage of time.
Repairs
If a shingle has curled slightly or the damage is not too prominent, patching can be an effective solution. Patching involves applying a sealant to the affected areas and leaving it to cure.
Although, patching only works over slight damages. However, if shingle damage is extensive, then replacing the shingles might be your only option. You will need to remove the affected ones carefully and then install new shingles in their place.
Other than that, if most of the roof shingles are cracked or missing, then it is best if you opt for a roof replacement instead of simple repairs. You must remove the old damaged roof and install a brand new one.
Roof Leaks
Roof leaks can cause significant damage to your house if not fixed promptly. Damaged shingles, improper installation, deterioration with age, or clogged gutters cause roof leaks. Most of the time, roof leaks are easy to spot as they are visible. Brown-yellow stains on the walls are a visible indication of roof leaks in your roof.
Other than that, water can start dripping from your ceilings or walls, especially during rainfall. Water or moisture entering your home interior is usually caused by roof leakages. Due to excessive humidity, odors, and mold growth can indicate water leakage in the interior through the roof.
Repairs
For minor damage, patching the roof with roofing cement can repair roof leakages. You can also fix the roof vents in case they are damaged, which is more accessible than replacing or fixing shingles. Another repair solution is to fix step flashing. This entails replacing flashing around roof penetrations. Sometimes antennas or satellites can cause tiny holes in shingles that allow water to penetrate. If you fill those little holes, the problem may be solved.
Hail Damage
In most cases, hail damage to your roof is easily noticeable. However, sometimes it takes work to spot the signs. The roof shingles have dents or splatter marks ranging in different sizes. Moreover, an intensive hail storm can damage your roof vents, gutters, or plumbing. You can also check for excessive granule displacement on asphalt shingles. Some shingles can go missing as well.
Repairs
First, to repair hail damage, you will need to assess the extent of the damage. We suggest you hire professionals for a thorough inspection. However, if the damages are minor, you can replace the damaged components of your roof. There are specialized techniques to restore a roof from rain or hail damage. These techniques involve using heat or pressure to repair the torn or dented metal pieces of a roof. Do not hesitate to address the underlying issues in roof repairs, as these problems can worsen over time.
Conclusion
Promptly addressing roof damages is essential to prevent further damage or leaks. Sometimes unaddressed minor issues can lead to more significant problems in your roofing system. As a homeowner, it is highly crucial that you do not put off roof repairs. The article has discussed three leading causes of roof deterioration and their repairs. Although it does not substitute as a piece of professional advice, we hope that you are familiar with roof damages and their repairs. Good Luck with roof repairs!
