Common Roof Problems and How To Fix Them

Common Roof Problems and How To Fix Them

What is your roof? The one that keeps you warm and dry, but also keeps the elements out? It can last decades and withstand snow, wind, rain, and storms.

Common Roof Problems Symptoms Of A Roof Leak

 

A roof leak doesn’t need to be a torrential, continuous drip, drip drip. If there's a spot that is wet or expanding on your ceiling, you may have a minor roof leak.

 

You should be aware that many roofs, especially slate, metal, and tile, can be slippery. It is particularly dangerous when you have a steep slope. A specialist should be able to fix them. A professional roofing company like Top Roofers Lawrenceville is an option for roof repairs. They have all the tools and experience.

 

Reliable Roofing Repairs

 

• Boots with vents

It is possible to have cracks or tears in rubber boots around plumbing vents. If the aluminum flashing has not leaked, it might be possible to just replace the boot.

 

Get a boot that will fit the diameter of the vent pipes to replace flashing. Flashing units may have adjustable boots. The old flashing should be removed from the front. Use a flat bar to lift the base of the pipe and the boot off. Apply a thick layer of roof sealant on the underside of the flashing unit before sliding it onto the pipe and underneath the shingle course. You can either replace the nails or cover them with neoprene, or use neoprene-washed nails.

 

Other flashing areas, such as the counter flashing in front of your chimney, or the step flashing below a dormer, could also leak. You can repair cracks with roof sealant and glue the individual sections together if you notice that your counter flashing around your chimney leaks.

 

There are two choices if you find a flashing leak along a sidewall, a dormer, or around a skylight. The first step involves replacing the flashing. This requires removing all siding and shingles.

 

To repair damaged flashing, you can use the second option of carefully applying roof sealant. You need to ensure that the sealant's surfaces are flat. Large beads and lumps can actually redirect water and block it from draining properly.

 

• Ice dams, a type of ice dam, are formed when the ice melts.

 

If your winters are cold, ice dams can cause leaks. Warm air from the attic escapes through the eaves and causes a freeze/thaw cycle near the roof edge. It forms from warm air colliding with ice, which melts and allows water to seep through the shingles into the house. You can't remove ice from shingles. An installation of a roof-deicing cable is possible, but the best long-term solution is to seal the air leaks in the attic, improve insulation, and have a roofer put a membrane with self-adhesive shingles and a membrane around the perimeter.

 

• Gutters

If they aren’t maintained, gutters can also cause roof problems. Clogged downspouts will cause your gutter to back up. Vegetation builds up in the gutter and can cause water damage to the fascia as well as rotting rafter heads. Excess water can leak onto siding or windows, which could cause more damage.

 

It is important to clean and inspect the gutters at least once a calendar year. To remove leaves and twigs from the gutters, you will need a ladder along with a small garden trowel. To flush out smaller particles, it is a good idea to have a hose at the top.

 

It is possible to repair your gutters if they are old. Assemble the gutter to the fascia securely and repair hangers, if necessary. Repair any leaky seams by using a caulk gun, and a tube of roof sealant.

 

• Moss

 

If the house is not fully shaded, it's possible for moss to grow on areas of the roof that aren’t directly exposed to the sun. It might sound like a good thing for hobbits. However, it can become a problem for the rest of us. It is able to get under the roofing shingles, which can cause leaks. It accelerates deterioration in all roofing materials, except asphalt shingles and cedar shingles.

 

There are many methods to remove moss off a roof. If you are replacing your roof, you can use strips of zinc or copper to prevent moss development. If your roof is still intact, you can use a ladder, slip-resistant footwear, a hose, and a scrub brush to get the job done.

 

Commercial sprays are available to kill moss. Alternately, you can mix one part laundry bleach with one part water to kill moss. Then spray it onto the moss. Rinse it off with the hose twenty minutes later.

 

Top Roofers Lawrenceville

Lawrenceville, GA

(470) 720 5161