How to Repair a Roof: Troubleshooting Common Roofing Issues
The roofing industry has some of the highest injury rates in the U.S.
There’s no doubt that it’s a dangerous job, but what if you’re a homeowner with minor roof repairs. Do you call a roofer to do the job or do you handle it yourself?
If you want to have your roof repaired safely, you’ll need to keep reading. Find out the tips to learn how to repair a roof, which repairs you can do on your own, and which ones require professional help.
Spotting Roof Issues
Some roofing issues don’t make themselves known until a ton of damage has been done.
A great example of that is if moisture gets under the tiles and into the wood frame. You have no idea it’s happening until the wood rots and the structure of your roof is compromised.
How can you be sure that your roof needs to be repaired? You’ll need to do regular inspections of your roof at least twice a year to spot leaks and other issues. Performing roof inspections after a big storm in your area is another good time to inspect the roof and catch any issues before they become huge problems.
These are the things you should look for in your roof inspection.
Interior Leaks
You can start inside the home by checking for leaks around the roof. Your attic is a great place to start by checking the insulation. If the insulation is wet or there’s mold present, it’s a sign that there is a leak in your roof.
You’ll want to check the ceilings in the upstairs of your home for signs of water damage. Look for signs of discoloration because water will cause stains in the ceilings and wall paint.
You’ll also want to check the flooring for damp spots just in case the ceiling leaks aren’t that obvious.
Look from the Ground
Do you have a good eye? You can inspect the roof from the ground and look for missing or broken asphalt shingles. It may not seem like a lot of damage if there’s a missing shingle or two.
The problem is that they can cause more damage than you think. A missing shingle can expose the roofing underlayment. Once that’s exposed, it can become weakened and let water into the structure of the home.
That can lead to interior leaks and more damage. Missing or broken shingles are pretty easy to replace, so you can do this repair yourself.
Another type of damage that you can spot from the ground is structural roof damage. A roof that is sagging is a sign of a major issue and can lead to the collapse of the roof.
A sagging roof will require the expertise of a professional because the issue lies with the frame of the roof.
Check Your Energy Bills
Another sign of a roofing issue is in your energy bills. A sudden increase in energy costs can mean your roof is letting warm air into the home during the summer, and cold air in during the winter.
You may want to have a professional roofer come to your home and check your roof if you can’t find any other issues. The problem could be with your roof or with your insulation. A professional will tell you what the likely cause is before you make an investment.
How to Repair a Roof
A DIY roof repair is fine for minor issues like roof shingle replacement. This is OK for situations where there are 1 or 2 shingles that need to be replaced. If there are more shingles missing that cover a wide area of the roof, then call in the professionals.
If you’re ready to perform a roof repair, these are tips to follow that put your safety first.
Check the Weather
Do you live in an area where the weather seems to change every 15 minutes? It’s no fun and it’s certainly not safe to get caught in a storm while trying to repair your roof.
Even if it looks like the perfect day, check the weather reports to make sure storms aren’t going to roll into your area.
Get Your Tools and Materials Together
You don’t want to get on the roof and realize you forgot a tool. Take your time and make sure that you have everything you need before you start working on the roof.
Wear the Right Shoes
Don’t think that you can do a roofing repair in flip flops or sandals. You’re doing intense physical work on a slope, and you’re not Spider-Man. You need to have sturdy shoes with traction to make sure that your footing is stable as you’re working on the roof.
Use a Harness
For an extra safety precaution, a harness can prevent you from taking a big fall if you lose your footing. The harness is only as useful as the structure it’s attached to, so make sure that it’s attached to something that is sturdy.
Does the Roof Need to Be Replaced?
If you have roofing issues that are beyond your knowledge and capabilities, you’ll need to call in a professional.
You want to make sure that you have a roofing professional that’s licensed and insured. Check with colleagues and neighbors to see if they know of any roofing companies that they can recommend.
The roofing company will inspect the roof and tell you what needs to happen next. In some cases, you need a new roof because the costs to repair are going to be more than a replacement.
This is common in older roofs and it makes more sense to completely replace the roof than spending the money to repair it.
Repair Your Roof the Right Way
Your roof isn’t something that you can ignore. If there are signs that your roof has issues, you need to take care of them immediately.
You need to know how to repair a roof safely. That starts with knowing what repairs you can do on your own and which ones need professional expertise. If you do the repairs yourself, be sure to use safety precautions before you start your repair.
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