Roofs take a beating from harsh weather, fallen branches, and other forces. It’s important to have damaged sections repaired before the problem escalates and becomes more costly.

Roof Repair can add value to your home and prepare it for future storms. Here are a few common roof repair tasks: Isolate the leak location by spraying the suspected area with a hose while a spotter watches from inside the house.

Shingles serve as your roof’s critical barrier, protecting your home from the fluctuating moods of Mother Nature. However, these protectors can be worn down over time, leaving your home vulnerable to moisture infiltration. As such, shingle damage should always be addressed promptly. Otherwise, it can quickly snowball into more costly and involved repairs such as water leaks or structural damage.

Common signs of shingle damage include cracking, blistering, cupping, and buckling. These conditions can be the result of excessive weather exposure, poor installation, or lack of maintenance. Cracking shingles are a particularly serious issue because they can expose your attic to further damage and leaks, as well as allow water to seep into your home.

Blistering shingles are typically caused by the sun’s harmful UV rays and can cause further damage to your roof and your house if left unattended. Additionally, excessive granule loss is another sign of deteriorating shingles. These granules protect your shingles from the sun’s damaging UV rays, but when they wear down, it can leave the asphalt layer exposed, accelerating shingle damage.

Your shingles should also be free of any loose edges. Loose edges can compromise the integrity of your roof and leave your home susceptible to further damage. Checking the edge of each shingle for damage and resealing with roof cement is an easy and effective way to prevent these issues.

Identifying and repairing shingle damage is a relatively simple process that can be completed at home with the right tools. Start by obtaining a replacement shingle that matches the color and style of your existing ones. Once you have your new shingle, place it on top of the damaged one and secure it with roofing nails. Before you finish, make sure to do a thorough inspection of your roof for any other areas that need repair.

Also check the flashing on your chimney and around other structures on your roof. These are thin metal pieces that direct water away from the chimney or other structures. If they are damaged, use a putty knife to apply roof cement and smooth the area. In addition, reseal the edges of any exposed nail heads.

Leaking Gutters

A leaking gutter may not seem like an urgent problem, but it can cause a lot of damage over time. This is because the gutters are not able to adequately transfer water away from the roof and home’s foundation, leading to issues like soil erosion, wood rot and musty smells in the home. Leaking gutters can also damage the fascia and soffit, which are attached to the underside of the roof’s eaves.

If the gutters are leaking, you should try to determine what is causing them to leak. The most common reason is that they are clogged with debris, which can block the flow of rainwater and cause it to overflow and dump water around your house’s foundation. A simple solution is to clean the gutters with a hose and a gutter scoop or trowel, and then remove any debris that has fallen into it.

Another common reason for leaking gutters is that the fasteners that secure them to the roof’s fascia board become loose over time. This can cause the gutters to shift and prevent them from channeling water properly, resulting in leaks. To fix this, you will need to examine the fasteners and tighten or replace them as needed.

Gutters that don’t have the proper pitch can also become prone to leaking. This is because they don’t have the slight slope that is necessary for them to effectively move water through them and down into the downspouts. To fix this, you will need a gutter pitch gauge to see how much the gutter needs to be pitched, then adjust it as needed.

While leaky gutters can be repaired, it is important to catch them early on before they do any major damage. By doing so, you can save money on costly repairs and prevent serious problems from developing, like foundation damage, rotting fascia boards and mold growth. If you are noticing any signs of a leaking gutter, be sure to contact your local roofing contractor for an inspection and service as soon as possible. They can help you repair or replace the gutters and prevent further damages to your roof and home.

Missing Shingles

The shingles of a roof provide a vital defense against rain, wind, and UV rays. If you notice that shingles are missing from a section of your home’s roof, it’s important to have these spots repaired as soon as possible. This is because if left unattended, these gaps can allow water to penetrate into the layers of your roof and eventually damage interior walls, insulation, ceilings, and floorboards.

You may think that a roof with just one shingle missing doesn’t need to be repaired, but this could not be more incorrect. If your shingle was designed in the 3-tab style, there is a 1 in 3 chance that it was sitting directly above an open seam in the shingles underneath. If this is the case, a leak will likely develop quickly. Even if the shingle was not above an open seam, the felt paper beneath will still repel some of the water but not all. This is why it is so important to regularly perform inspections of your roof.

If you have a regular roofing maintenance program in place, the team at Westfall Roofing will be able to catch these problems before they cause more severe issues. We’ll be able to repair any holes and replace missing shingles in the most effective manner. If you’re concerned about the state of your roof, contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation estimate.

Erika Waller