If your roof is leaking or looking like it’s in need of some serious TLC, don’t panic. Most problems can be solved with a simple roof repair. Contact Corpus Christi Roofing CO for professional help.
The flashing on your roof guides moisture away from areas that could leak. You can find flashing near vents, skylights and chimneys. Examine it for cracks or rust, which might lead to leaks.
When shingles become loose or are torn, they can allow water into the roof structure. This may damage the insulation and lead to leaks, rot, mold and other structural problems. Inspecting the shingles and replacing damaged ones is one of the most common roof repair jobs that homeowners can do themselves.
Before you start, remove any overlapping shingles with a pry bar to prevent damaging the underlying shingles. You should also remove any nails and put them in a safe place. Next, use a shingle pry bar to lift up and remove the damaged shingle. Typically, the shingle will be held up by asphalt sealant spots. If so, you can break the sealer strip connection by sliding a pry bar under it. You will need to use the same technique to remove any nails from surrounding shingles that are loose or damaged.
Look for damaged shingles that are missing granules, curled up at the edges, or cracked and discolored. You should also look for areas of the roof where the shingles appear to be lifting up or pulling away from the sheathing or roof deck.
Missing, torn or split seam shingles are signs of serious roofing problems that should be addressed as soon as possible. If left unaddressed, these problems can cause leaks that compromise your home’s interior and raise energy bills.
A roof inspection can reveal a variety of other issues that may need repair. If you have a metal roof vent, check the housing and seams for corrosion. Also, inspect the bottom of the vent to make sure it is screwed in place and not hanging up on shingles.
Paint peeling or blistering on the walls of your house is not necessarily a sign of roof damage, but it does indicate that there is poor air circulation in the attic. This lack of ventilation allows moisture to draw from the attic into the living space and can lead to mold, wood rot and water stains on ceilings or walls.
If you find a crack or curl in a shingle, you can usually fix it by using a tube of roofing tar to reseal it. The tar will help to keep the shingle intact and waterproof.
Leaking Gutters
Gutters keep houses and yards in good shape by collecting roof runoff, channeling it away from foundation walls and directing it into rain barrels or down a drain. Gutters that leak are not doing their job, however, and can lead to water seepage into walls, sagging floors and sticking doors or windows. If you notice a dripping gutter or puddles on the foundation wall, check for holes, cracks and rust.
If you find any, repair them with caulk. But it’s better to replace the gutter altogether if it’s leaking at the end caps or downspout openings. These parts can be a bit tricky to replace, but most DIYers can handle it with a little patience.
Leaking gutters usually begin at rusted spots or seams that open up due to expansion and contraction of the metal. To fix this, scrape off as much rust and old caulk as you can, and wire-brush the area thoroughly to clean it for a stronger bond. Then use roofing cement to seal the leaky area.
Sometimes gutters develop leaks because they’re not pitched properly. To prevent this, get on a ladder and examine the slope of the gutters. The pitch should be toward the downspouts, with a quarter-inch of slope for every ten feet of gutter.
Another common problem is sagging gutters, which pull away from the house over time. These can be tough to spot unless you’re on a ladder after a rain storm, so it’s important to inspect them regularly.
You can solve this issue by installing gutter aprons, which are L-shaped lengths of flashing that attach to the edge of the roof under the shingles. They angle down over the inside edge of the gutter, eliminating the gap between the gutter and the wall and directing water into the gutters. These are available in most home improvement centers for less than $10 a section. You can also try using metal roof flashing strips to cover gaps in a gutter system. But be wary of using caulk to patch holes in the roof, as it won’t hold up for very long.
Cracked Flashing
Flashing is thin strips of metal that seal areas where the roof meets vertical surfaces, like walls and chimneys. Without flashing, water can seep underneath shingles and cause leaks. Roof flashing is a key part of your home’s weatherproofing system and should be repaired promptly if it shows signs of damage or wear.
Common flashing damage include cracks, gaps, and rust or corrosion. Roof flashing is also susceptible to temperature changes, which can lead to warping of the material.
A cracked flashing is a leak waiting to happen and should be repaired immediately. If not, water could seep into your roof and cause significant and costly damage to the structure of your home.
There are a few ways to repair flashing, depending on the severity of the problem and the location. For example, a leak around the chimney or at a dormer corner may require replacing the flashing completely. This involves removing the shingles and siding to expose the flashing, and then installing new flashing, a metal caulking strip, and roofing cement. It is best to leave this type of flashing repair to qualified roofing contractors, as it requires working at heights and in hard-to-reach areas.
Another way to repair a flashing leak is by using roof flashing tape. This product is self-adhesive and can be applied to cracked flashing to create a watertight seal. It is a good option to use as a temporary solution in cases of emergency, or if you don’t have time to wait for a professional roof repair contractor.
Taking care of flashing will help it last longer and protect your home from leaks. Be sure to clear debris from your roof, especially in areas near flashing, to prevent it from clogging and potentially damaging it. Additionally, be sure to trim overhanging branches that could rub against or damage flashing. It is also a good idea to inspect your roof regularly and reseal any vulnerable areas as needed, particularly after rainstorms. Doing so will help keep your home safe from water damage and save you money on expensive repairs in the future.
Water Stains
If water stains appear on your ceiling, it is not only unsightly but could also indicate more serious damage. It’s important to address the underlying problem so it doesn’t get worse, and a professional roofer should be consulted for help. Water stains can be caused by many different problems, but they most often occur near plumbing fixtures or water sources like sinks and toilets. Leaking roofs are another common cause of water stains on the ceiling, as is improper ventilation that allows warm, moist air to condensate on cold surfaces like a ceiling.
First, examine the stain to determine its origins. Dark water stains usually indicate that the wood has already been damaged and should be replaced, while light-colored or milky stains can often be corrected with a few simple steps. The first step is to clean the area with a mild bleach solvent that can fade the stain and remove any lingering mildew, grease or dirt that could prevent primer and paint from adhering to the ceiling.
If the water stain is near a fixture, such as a sink or toilet, you should shut off the water to those areas so that the leak doesn’t get worse. Then, call a plumber to make the necessary repairs. If the stain is far from a fixture, it’s best to climb into the attic to check for moisture and water damage. Moisture and condensation stains are commonly caused by a poorly ventilated or insulated attic, so if you see ice crystals on the nails in your attic or any signs of mold or mildew, it’s time to call a professional for a thorough attic inspection and possible roof repair.
Once you’ve addressed the underlying cause of the stain, you can focus on removing and repairing the water stains themselves. Depending on the color and severity of the stain, you may have to repaint your entire ceiling or just the affected section. Before you repaint, apply a stain-blocking primer that can prevent your new paint from bleeding through the surface. For the most durable and attractive results, choose a bright white or gray primer that can hide a variety of colors and can be painted over later if you decide to change your decorating style.
