The roof is an important part of your home, protecting it from rain, snow, wind, and extreme temperatures. Regular inspections and maintenance are necessary to keep it in good condition.
Repairing your roof is often a lower-cost option than replacing it. However, sometimes the damage is too extensive to be repaired. Check out https://www.ellingsonroofing.com/roofing-helena-mt for more details.
Shingles are the most visible part of a roof and provide the most protection, acting as a barrier between your home and water and weather. They’re also a key design element, adding character and charm to the exterior of your home. But, like any material, they’ll need to be replaced at some point. It’s not uncommon for damage or the natural aging process to cause the need for roof shingle repair.
When shingles are damaged or missing, they can leave your roof vulnerable to leaks and other problems. That’s why it’s important to make regular inspections, brushing away any debris or loose granules as needed. If you do spot a problem, it’s crucial to take the right steps to repair it before it gets worse.
First, you’ll need to access the roof to replace the damaged shingles. A sturdy ladder and proper safety precautions will be necessary to ensure you don’t fall or sustain further damage to your roof. Once you’re on the roof, it’s important to remove any shingles that are overlapping the damaged shingle. This prevents damage to the intact shingles and makes it easier to access the nails holding that shingle in place.
You’ll then need to pull up the surrounding shingles, working carefully around the nails. A flat pry bar will be helpful in this process, as it can be used to gently separate the asphalt sealant strips that hold each shingle to the roof deck. This is best done in cool weather, when the adhesive is more likely to break apart cleanly.
The next step is to insert the replacement shingle, being careful to match it up with the existing ones both above and below it. A roofing contractor will usually use shingle cement underneath the new shingle to secure it in place. They may also re-nail the shingles that are over it to ensure they’re held tightly in place.
To finish the job, your roofing contractor will re-seal the underside of each shingle. This is very important, as a lack of sealing can cause the shingles to leak, and it will also ensure the new shingle is protected from the elements.
Flashing
Shingles get all the glory, but your roof needs more than just shingles to prevent leaks. The unsung hero of the roof system is flashing, a thin layer of metal sheeting that seals joints and seams on your roof. Flashing is especially important for areas prone to leaks, such as roof valleys and where the walls of dormer features meet the roof. It’s also vital around roof penetrations like chimneys, vents and skylights.
Without roof flashing, rainwater and melted snow would just build up around these areas, creating mold, rot and other major damage to your home. Flashing seals all of these spaces, as well as the cracks that aren’t visible, to protect your roof decking, walls, shingles and other components from moisture.
Flashing comes in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, but it’s usually made from corrosion-resistant materials such as copper, aluminum or galvanized steel. It can be installed directly on the underlayment, between the underlayment and shingles or in the joints and seams of your roof. It’s often nailed to the roof decking and covered with caulking or roofing cement for a waterproof seal.
Over time, it’s not uncommon for flashing to loosen, either because the screws that anchor it pull out or because the metal wears away at the screw holes. A professional roofer will reseal the joint with new caulking or roofing cement, then screw the flashing back into place to lock it in and prevent water from seeping through.
There are several types of roof flashing, including valley flashing and continuous flashing. Valley flashing is a strip of metal with a profile that looks like an inverted “T.” It’s typically found in roof valleys or where two downward slopes meet. Continuous flashing is a long piece of metal that covers the seams where the roof meets the walls or other features on your home. These long pieces have built-in expansion joints to help them flex with the changes in weather.
When you notice a flashing problem, the first step is to remove the damaged flashing. This can be tricky, as it may be interwoven among the shingles or fixed with a combination of nails and sealant. Once the damaged flashing is removed, you can use it as a guide to cut and bend a new piece of flashing to fit the joint. If you’re comfortable with doing this yourself, the instructions below should give you an idea of how to proceed. If you’re not comfortable, it’s best to leave flashing repairs to a professional roofer.
Underlayment
Underlayment acts as a barrier between your roof deck and the shingles, helping to prevent moisture from seeping into the wood. It also helps to protect the integrity of the roof, and it can increase a roofing material’s durability. It can be found in many different materials, including felt, synthetic polymers, and rubberized asphalt.
Felt underlayment is one of the most traditional types of roofing underlayment. It’s typically made of organic paper that has been soaked in asphalt and comes in two weights, No. 15 and No. 30. This underlayment can be quite slippery when wet, which is why it’s not a good choice for sloped roofs. It can also tear easily, so it’s not ideal for areas that are prone to snowfall or severe winter weather.
Another traditional type of roofing underlayment is plywood. This material was used as sheathing on older homes, and it can contain resin pockets that react with some roof-covering materials, such as shingle adhesives and tar. Some underlayment materials, such as mineral felt, are designed to eliminate this reaction and help protect the roof from damage.
Synthetic underlayment is a newer option that has gained popularity due to its performance and durability. It’s made from a variety of polymers, including polyethylene and polypropylene, which offer excellent protection against water penetration. It’s also lightweight, easy to install, and can be used with a wide range of roofing materials.
Rubberized asphalt underlayment contains rubber and asphalt polymers that make it extra waterproof. It’s often used in areas that are prone to leaks, such as valleys and around penetrations. It can also be used on flat roofs.
Self-adhered underlayment has sticky backs that help adhere it to the roof deck. It’s quick to install, and it can be used in places that are prone to moisture damage, such as the eaves, vents, chimneys, skylights, and other penetrations. This underlayment may also be used to protect the deck from ice dams in colder climates. In some cases, building codes require that residential roofs have underlayment. It’s important to speak with a professional roofing contractor about the specific rules in your area.
Gutters
A gutter is a half-pipe that runs along the roofline, collecting rainwater and channeling it away from the building. Once it reaches the bottom of the gutter, rainwater is dispensed onto the ground or into an underground drainage system. Besides protecting the integrity of your roof, gutters also preserve the foundation and basement of your home by reducing the risk of water damage. However, like any other component of your house, it requires periodic cleaning and inspection to perform optimally.
If you don’t regularly clean your gutters, they can become clogged with leaves, dirt and debris. As a result, the water that flows over the gutters becomes a breeding ground for mold and mildew. These fungi can cause a wide range of health and structural problems for your home.
Another problem that you may encounter is ice dams, which form in the winter and cause leaks inside the house. Luckily, there are several ways that you can avoid this issue, including installing gutter guards and improving your attic insulation. Gutters can also protect the exterior of your house, by channeling rainwater away from the foundation and preventing soil erosion that can cause costly damage to the foundation or basement.
The most common reason for homeowners to seek roof repair is the development of a leak. This can happen when there’s an improper flashing of the fascia board, which allows the water to seep underneath and around the shingle. A roofing contractor can solve this problem by popping the gutter off, removing the fascia board, then applying 3 pieces of flashing: a step flashing, a valley flashing and a drip edge flashing. The step flashing should overlap the valley flashing by 2 inches, and the drip edge flashing should be tucked under the gutter. Then the gutter can be resealed and the downspouts can be reattached. This solution will fix the leak and prevent future leaks. For safety purposes, you should always hire a professional to handle this task. This way, you’ll be sure that the job is done correctly and safely. You should also wear protective gear and a ladder safety harness to minimize the risks associated with this type of project.