If you have got some water leakage through your roof, especially after
a spell of heavy rains, well it is one of those issues that you
definitely cannot ignore. One thing that you should remember is that
your roof is perhaps the most vulnerable components of your house,
likely to endure the most in case of rains, tornadoes, hail storms,
etc. After any of these natural occurrences, your roof is likely to
suffer and give up on you and that calls for some action. Besides, it
is obvious that the roof forms an integral part of your house and once
the roof gives up, the entire structure of your house is in jeopardy.
Usually, emergency situations call for the temporary repair of the
roof. Sometimes, the roof just can't wait till the roofing
professionals act. This calls for you to come up with some remedies in
order to avoid further damage, especially when your roof suffers from
leaks, which usually demands immediate action. One important thing that
you should remember is that always wait until the weather is clear
before you step into the repairing business. Besides, you don't want to
be struck by lightening during the repairs, do you? Another
disadvantage of working in extreme conditions is that you are bound to
do more damage than repairs, especially if the roof is wet.
In case of leaks, it is needless to say that you should put buckets
under the leaks to avoid the damage from spreading onto the floor. In
addition to that, it is also advisable that you pierce some holes in
the areas surrounding the leak so that the water pressure on the
surface of the roof gets relieved. This avoids worst-case scenarios.
You can simply set some plastic sheets on the roof and mend the cracks
that enable the water seepages by spreading cement over the cracks.
This basically means that your foremost objective should be to stop the
water leakage. Water does not only affect the outer roof, but it also
damages the internal structure of your house considerably. Besides, if
the roof leakages are ignored for a long time, you may have to change
the entire roof itself, which could hurt your pocket badly.
Some of the materials that assist in repairing the roofs include rubber
sheets, plastic sheets, duck tape, temporary seal, patches, etc.
However, these materials act as temporary remedies to help you to get
rid of leakage problems provided that some kind of permanent repairs
are undertaken later. Given below are some of the common remedies for
your roof:
. Plastic sheets: A branded plastic sheet such as Visqueen can be
nailed down on the source of the leak. Instead of bricks, you can also
use bricks to force down the plastic sheets on your roof, to prevent
further leakage.
. Roofing Paper: This material can easily be found in home department stores.
Proper precautions have to be taken in case of roof repairs because it
is very dangerous, especially on the wet tiles. Although these methods
act as temporary remedies, they can definitely buy you some time until
the professionals come up with a permanent solution.
Pittsburgh Roofing & Flooring Services
Pittsburgh Roofing and Flooring Services Tips and Info
Repairing Roof Shingles
Every do-it-yourself project-builder understands how important it is to know how to repair roof shingles. Fortunately, most projects relating to repairing or replacing roof shingles are basic enough that they can be tackled by the homeowner and won't require the services of a contracted professional. However, it is important to realize that working on roofs pose a serious threat of danger, and it is vital to ensure your safety before working on a roof.
If you don't trust your abilities than you should contract a professional who is trained and more secure in handling roof work. If however, you feel comfortable working on your roof, and then by all means, you should engage in the project and repair the shingles yourself. Some roofs may require you to replace individual shingles, or you may need to tear off the old shingles and install new ones. When roof shingles become damaged, they can cause your roof to leak and suffer damage.
The first step in repairing roof shingles will be to gently lift the shingle tabs that are holding the shingle in place. It is also important to note if the broken shingle is actually nailed in or if it is a shingle that is adjacent to the broken one that you are replacing. You will need to carefully lift up the shingle tab, and then you can pry up on the nail head and remove the nail. Once you have access to the broken shingle, you can remove it easily.
It is also a good idea to keep extra roof shingles on hand. Many times, new homeowners discard extra roof shingles, not thinking that they will need them in the future. However, it is inevitable not to lose some roof shingles throughout the longevity of being a homeowner. By saving your shingles, you can ensure that when it is time to make repairs that you will have matching shingles readily available.
After you have removed the damage shingle, simply replace it with your new shingle, cut a new tab for it, and then secure it with roofing nails. You may also choose to use roofing tar to secure the shingle down and fill in any gaps that you notice. It is also important to replace any nails that were removed in any shingles that were adjacent to the damaged shingles.
If you are going to replace all of your shingles and start a new installation, then it may be beneficial to have a friend help you who has experience with roofing. If you feel confident in doing the project then you will begin by removing the existing shingles. This is accomplished by tearing the old shingles off. This can be accomplished by using a variety of tools. Pitchforks, shovels, and shingle scrapers are all used in the scraping and removing of existing tiles. With the shingle scraper, you can simply insert the scraper under the shingle, then lift. The scraper pries up the old shingles including any roofing nails. After you have removed all of the old roof shingles, you can then install the new shingles.
Roof Repair and Maintenance
Roof Repair and Maintenance
When was the last time you got on your roof to check its condition? Well, unless you are comfortable climbing roofs, you should look at your roof from the ground. Even better, if you suspect problems, call a roofing contractor for an estimate, most reputable contractors provide this service free. Don't wait for water damage to start maintenance on your roof.
Relatively simple repairs can prevent leaks and significantly extend roof life. We don't recommend that any person go up on a roof unless he or she knows and follows proper safety procedures. Even if you don't do the work yourself, it's important to know how proper repairs are done, and a basic knowledge of roof repair techniques will help you understand the scope of work required.
The brand name and style of roofing material used can be important for composition or asphalt shingles, concrete tile, fiber cement shingles, and metal roofs. These roofs are a manufactured product that is assembled and installed on site. You can often search for the manufacturer online and find specific repair procedures. Other roofing materials, such as wood shakes, wood shingles, and built-up, or tar and gravel, depend less on the specific manufacturer and more on associations.
Every roof type has a special requirement for repairs. Fibered roofing cement, or mastic, is the most common patching compound used on asphalt composition shingles and built-up roofing. Mastic is an inexpensive asphalt-based patching material, which adheres easily to metal, stucco and asphalt roofing. Mastic can be used to patch damaged shingles or to seal roof-to-wall connections and plumbing vent penetrations. Mastic deteriorates from sun exposure, and new applications are necessary every few years. New mastic should be allowed to dry for a few weeks and then painted for protection from the sun and for better appearance. Mastic will not stick to wood and should not be used to patch wood roofs or connections to wood siding. Modified bitumen roofing can be damaged by the solvent in some mastics, and only special patching materials specified by the roofing manufacturer should be used with these and other polymer or synthetic rubber roofing materials.
Tar and gravel, generally called built-up roofs, also need regular maintenance. The perimeters of these low slope roofs are usually left uncovered with gravel and are exposed to damage from the sun. Any area where the asphalt has become exposed should be coated with an aluminized asphalt emulsion or one of the new rubberized white roof coatings. It is common to find the central portions of gravel-covered built-up roofs to be in good condition, while the raised edges with no gravel protection show substantial sun damage.
With slate or tile roofing, common practice has been to replace any broken slates or tiles. Adhesives are now available that can repair broken tiles. Any loose or damaged tiles should be secured with wire, nails, or special adhesives available for this purpose. The tile manufacturers web site is usually available, and should be consulted for repair recommendations.
Shake roofs have a layer of felt or tar paper under each row to serve as a waterproofing barrier. Every year a small amount of the shake surface is worn away by the sun and weather. Exposed felt is the main cause of leaks and holes that permit sun through to the felt must be repaired. Damaged shakes can be repaired by inserting a thin wood shingle, composition shingle, or piece of sheet metal beneath them to protect the exposed felt from the sun. In general, it is best to avoid using nails when repairing a wood roof, as this can cause leakage. Power washing can cause significant damage and is not advisable for do-it-yourselfers.
Most roofing materials will last 15 to 30 years, although common shingles may only last 15 years, depending on quality of shingle bought. The life of all roofs depends on the type and weather exposure for each application. Roof surfaces facing the south or west often wear out sooner because they have longer exposure to the primary cause of roof wear-the sun. Trees, leaves and branches, are also a major cause of early roof wear. When your roof needs replacement will depend on several factors, including your tolerance for occasional leaks and periodic roof repairs. Most roofs, with careful maintenance, will last many years beyond their rated life spans.
Roof surfaces that are in poor condition may need replacement even if no leakage has occurred. A roofing contractor should be consulted to determine if a roof is repairable and at what cost. Three estimates with references for at least two of three jobs completed in your area are a good idea when selecting contractor.
How To Make Your Roof Survive The Winter
Winter months take a toll on your roof. If your roof is not in shipshape condition, it can put you to a lot of time waste and expense on account of significant damage that needs to be urgently remedied. It is therefore, advisable that you take steps necessary to 'tone up' your roof condition while the weather is good for making roof repairs before the arrival of winter. It is rightly said, 'A stitch in time saves nine'.
A leaking roof is one of the biggest problems. The most common sources of leaks can be cracks and damage to the flashing around vents and chimneys. Other potential reasons can be missing and worn out shingles or condensation as a result of inadequate ventilation in the attic.
A pointer that your roof system needs a leak repair is the presence of ceiling spots. Visual inspection from a vantagepoint allowing you to externally check your roof can reveal missing or cracked damaged shingles. These should be replaced at once to avoid structural damage to the roof deck and the home interior. If a crack in the flashing is diagnosed, the flashing needs to be replaced or can be repaired if the damage is small.
If shingles appear curled or buckled, the problem is probably on account of aged shingles or damage to the felt underlayment under the shingles. Underlayment is a weather protection layer in the roof and its damage can lead to accumulation of moisture; the ultimate enemy of all roofing systems. Underlayment is now available in self-adhering rolls that are applied directly on the roof deck or can be laid as a layer on top of the existing underlayment. Damaged shingles should be replaced and underlayment though costly must be replaced, must be changed, if required. If shingles appear blistered, it is usually because they were applied on a wet deck or due to inadequate roofing ventilation. Proper roof ventilation allows natural flow of hot air upward out of the attic and keeps the attic cool and dry.
In winter, the prime cause for concern is the moisture build up in the attic. Despite the vapor barrier in the floor of the attic, unwanted moisture seeps into the attic with the air leaking through ceiling light fixtures, access panels, fold down attic stairways, bathroom exhaust fans etc. The cold outside of the roof makes moisture condense on the framing members and inside the roof deck and supports growth of mold, mildew and rot. This seriously affects roof deck strength and longevity. Inadequate attic ventilation can also make ice dams form on the shingles. Water accumulation behind icedams can seep into the attic/house through the shingles. It is therefore absolutely essential to ensure proper attic ventilation.
If there is inadequate attic ventilation, you may get a ridge vent (if your roofing system does not have one) installed to improve ventilation. Alternatively, a gable vent in the sidewall of the attic can be installed depending on the construction of your roofing system.
Another solution is to have a powered ventilator installed. Improved ventilation will prevent moisture condensation that can severely damage the roof.
If you face roofing problems it is best to secure the services of a qualified roofing contractor for fixing things up. Roofing work is expensive but it will be worth the expenditure in the long run, and to make sure your roof survive the winter.
Temporary Remedies For Your Roof
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