Roof Repair Hacks Every Homeowner Should Know

Home inspection professionals know that they will spend more time on the bottom and top of the house than anywhere else. When it comes to vital systems that make a house function, the foundation and the roof really can’t be overemphasized.

A bad roof quickly becomes a rotted frame, ruined drywall, corroded and unsafe electrical systems, and the list goes on–not to mention the potential for ruined furniture and the horrors of black mold.

However, many roofing companies take advantage of the importance of roof repairs by selling homeowners on repairs that they don’t actually need.

If a homeowner is not informed on the basics of roofing–what can go wrong, what can cause issues and what is part of the normal function of a roof–they may find themselves being tricked into paying for a new roof when some minor roof repairs would have solved the problem.

When it comes to roof repair, learn these top hacks to keep your expenses low and your roof in good shape.

How Roofing Material Impacts Cost of Roof Repair

Different roofing materials have different costs, different strengths, and different vulnerabilities. Knowing what problems can plague your roofing material can help you to know what types of repairs might be necessary, and maybe help you make a sound decision when it is time to replace your roof.

Asphalt Shingles

If your home is roofed with asphalt shingles, there are several problems that can arise. An unscrupulous professional roofer might tell you that any leaky roof means that it all needs to be replaced. Fortunately, this is not true; there are several causes of leaks that can be fixed without roof replacement.

Missing Shingles

Any homeowner flinches at the sight of missing roofing shingles. If left unresolved for too long, the underlayment of the roof can be compromised and the rafters can begin to dry rot, leading to massive structural damage.

But what if the shingles just blew away in a storm yesterday? Do a few missing shingles mean that you will have to have a roofer sell you a whole new roof?

Fortunately, not at all. It is very possible to replace a few missing shingles with tools that you can get at a hardware store. Or, hire a trusted roofing professional who doesn’t try to oversell you on services you don’t need.

Ice Dams: Not Really a Roof Leak

Ever enjoying your cozy home on a winter day, only to hear water trickling in the next room? On investigating you might have found a steady stream of water dripping from the ceiling not too far from an exterior wall.

You may think that your roof has now sprung a leak and you will need to buy a new one as soon as possible. Some roofing businesses will happily go along with this assessment.

But in reality, the situation is not that dire. Ice dams occur when the freezing and thawing snow on the roof creates a dam that water gathers above. Because the shingles are only designed to shed water, not to actually be waterproof, the rising water can seep in behind them, and then start to trickle and drip into your home.

This can even happen with a brand-new roof in perfect condition.

So if your home has experienced ice dams, keep an eye on the eaves and any roof valleys. If you see ice accumulating it is smart to find a way to carefully remove them. You can even have a roofing contractor install heated wires along these vulnerable areas, that will keep the edges above freezing so that the ice dams can’t form and the water can be freely shed from the roof.

These small repairs cost very little, but they are important! Allowing these situations to go untreated can cause extensive damage, which means that you really may need to have your roof replaced–and maybe even have expensive structural repairs.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is a durable, long-term and quite repairable alternative to asphalt shingles. While roof replacement with metal roofing costs more money, it is rewarded with a low maintenance and long-lasting roof that you won’t have to think about too much.

So what happens if your metal roof has a roof leak? Here are a few options that can cause roof leaks in metal roofing, and options for fixing them without replacing the whole roof.

Got a Couple Screws Loose?

If your metal roof is leaking, the first thing to assess is the screws. Sometimes they can work their way out of the underlayment, allowing the roof to become loose. In addition, the rubber gasket around each screw can become dry-rotted, allowing water to enter the roof by way of the screw holes.

If your screws are loose or have lost their seal, replacing them can save you from having to replace the whole roof. Installing new screws with fresh gaskets can be time-consuming but costs very little, and will make your roof nice and tight again. This is a roof repair that can save money in a big way.

If your screws are loose and you don’t get around to fixing them, beware! A strong wind can catch the edge of the roofing and pull it away from the house, possibly tearing off part of your roof and damaging the sheets of metal. If this happens you will be replacing at least part of your roof. So pay attention to your screws and have your trusted roofing professional tighten them regularly.

Check Your Flashing

Flashing is the metal edging that is used at roof valleys and edges to keep water from getting behind the roofing.

It is often made of inexpensive, thin metal–which is good at installation for saving money, but it also may allow the flashing to be damaged by wind, corrosion, and other factors.

So if your metal roof has begun to leak, take a good look at the flashing. It may appear where walls meet the roof, at roof vents, around skylights, and chimneys. While you are at it, assess whether any sealant applied to the flashing has begun to crack or crumble.

When to Talk to Your Roofing Company About Roof Replacement

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end–good roofs included. Eventually, every roof needs to be replaced.

Roof repair becomes impossible when asphalt shingles begin to break down. This is evidenced by curling and cracking shingles, the continual appearance of new leaks, and crumbling pieces of shingle that accumulate on the ground along the eaves or in gutters. In any of these cases, you will need to consider a new roof.

Keep in mind that in many areas, it is possible to add a second layer of shingles directly over the first. This can save substantially on labor costs. Adding more than one additional layer can cause structural damage so it is not a trick to use every time your roof wears out, but have your roofing contractor check to see how many layers of shingles are already in place. Also check local codes, as some areas may not permit this practice, instead requiring old shingles to be removed before new ones are installed.

If metal is your roofing material, a roof that is starting to rust may be beyond repair, and so can a roof that has been damaged by strong winds or other natural forces that can bend the metal permanently out of shape or create tears in it.

Hire a reliable local roofing company to help you decide what roof repair makes the most sense for your situation.