One of the biggest expenses a home owner will ever have is replacing a roof. Therefore keeping your roof in good repair with regular maintenance is extremely important. Small repairs as needed can extend the life time of the roof. Repairing leaks immediately will also prevent inside damage, like stains, peeling paint, cracked and falling ceilings, rotted wood, wet insulation, and mold. Damage from leaks can add considerably to an already expensive project. Make a habit of thoroughly checking the roof every spring and fall for any damaged shingles. Cut back trees and branches so the roof can dry after storms. Clean out the gutters at least once a year. Walking on a roof can easily break shingles, but more importantly, the chance of falling makes it very dangerous. Safety is a major concern for both professionals and homeowners doing the job themselves. Before climbing on the roof try using binoculars to identify any thing that needs to be fixed. Repair any damaged shingles or leaks as quickly as possible.
The most popular roofing material in the U.S. is fiberglass-base asphalt shingles. They have high durability lasting 15 to 20 years and are less expensive than slate, cedar shakes or shingles, or metal. Today’s roofs are quite complicated with vent pipes, chimneys, skylights, dormers, etc. These are the areas with the greatest potential for leaks and water damage. Flashing is used around these areas and in the valleys where two plains come together to direct water around and downward. If the roof is relatively new and you’re finding widespread leaking, it is most probably the flashing that is faulty. You can temporarily patch damaged metal flashing with black flashing cement. If it is in bad condition or installed incorrectly, it will mean a whole new roof.
Inside the house, look for wet spots on the underside of the roof in the attic and on the floor. The wet spots are seldom right under the leak itself, but it will give you a general idea of the area. If the underside of the roof is exposed and you can see daylight, hammer a long nail through to the outside. Then check the roof outside for the nail and to see if there are broken, torn or missing shingles in close proximity. If a shingle is blown up from the wind, a little roofing cement to the underside of each corner and pressure to spread the cement will take care of it nicely. If a shingle is cracked, raise each side of the tear, spread the cement under the rip, apply pressure, and then nail each side with one nail. If shingles need replacing try to match what is already there. Sometimes previous owners will have left extra shingles. If not, it’s a good idea to buy extra for possible future repairs. When replacing a shingle, gently break the seal of adjacent shingles with a putty knife, and then use a flat utility bar to remove the old nails. Remember that the nails are holding two courses of shingles. If the nails don’t come up easily, hammer them down by first placing a flat utility bar over them. Lift the shingle above and position nails so they’ll be overlapped. Cover all nail holes with roofing cement. Start at one side and nail across so there is no bulging. Minor repairs will prevent needing major work done and delay having to completely reroof.
These are just general ideas for routine upkeep of a roof. Extensive water damage can only be cured with a new roof. Keep in mind, major repair or total roof replacement is best performed by a professional. The money you think you might save by doing it yourself will not be enough to cover medical expenses from a possible fall. Following are a few safety tips:
1. Make sure you are not home alone in case of an accident.
2. Choose a warm, dry day. Roofs can be very slippery when wet and easily damaged when soft from the heat or brittle from the cold.
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