Windows and doors are important aspects of the house as they protect household members from unwanted visitors, intruders, and criminal activities. The roof, on the other hand, protects you from everything else. Keeping the roof in good shape is important because it serves as protection from rain, snow, hail, ice, branches, debris, and harmful sunlight. If the roof is not in good condition, your home can suffer from leaks, develop mold and mildew, and experience other serious problems. Even a small leak in the roof should be addressed before it can cause large-scale water problems. This explains why a good roof is a wise investment. It will prevent you from spending on costly maintenance.
Regardless of the size of your home, a roof leak is the last thing that we want. A small drip indicates a bigger roofing problem. A roofing problem will involve an investment of time and money. So, before any larger roofing issue arises, let’s determine common roof leaks and their solutions.
Cracked Flashing
Flashing is a thin metal material that roofers install under shingles and on the joints to direct water away from specific areas (like a chimney, walls, roof valleys) of your roof. At present, steel is the most common type used for roof flashing. Broken flashing will result in large cracks. If the flashing is exposed, the common causes of cracks are the wind and rain.Solution. Find the source of the leak, then remove the nails used to secure the old flashing. Remove the cracked segment by lifting any shingles. Gently replace it with a new run of flashing, placing it in the same pattern as the old one with the use of roofing nails. The nail heads should be covered with roofing sealant. A routine check is necessary to ensure that there is no moisture.
Improperly Driven nails and Broken Shingles
Leaks in the roof commonly happen when a roofing nail does not hold tight and backs out of the shingle. If the nails are overdriven or driven in sideways, the head of the nails may pop out of the shingle. When it rains, water is absorbed.
Broken or damaged roof shingles are easier to locate. If you spot any discolored or upraised shingles, a repair or replacement is needed.
Solution. Locate the leak, break the seal on and lift the shingle, pull the nail out, and drive it in properly. Then reseal the shingle.
For broken shingles, do not apply cement sealant. It will be useless as the sun will wear out the sealant. The best way to fix this is to fill the hole. Remove the shingle and the exposed nail, seal the hole and install a new shingle with a new nail.
Chimney leak or wear and tear
The best way to look for signs of wear and tear is to check the mud cap or the mortared part around the top of the chimney. Look for any holes, loose flashing, or shingles around the area. The mortar, which is a mixture of water, cement, and sand, can be destroyed by harsh weather conditions.Solution. Once you locate the source of the leak, replace the mortar. But it is always best to hire a professional contractor to fix the problem as the roofing materials are different from that of the chimney.
Clogged Gutters
Your roof may be filled with leaves and debris that stick in the gutter. Damage and leak can happen once the water penetrates underneath the soffit and fascia.
Solution. Loosen the gutter and install three pieces of flashing. One flashing behind the gutter, another on the roof, and the last one is tucked under the valley.Picking a contractor with a good reputation is vital to ensure you have an excellent roof on your house. Roofers College Station has built a reputation as a leading roofing service provider in Bryan – College Station area. The team consists of competent, reliable, licensed contractors that offer profound professionalism and excellent craftsmanship. Our services include residential roofing, new roof installation, roof repair and replacement, siding, windows, skylights and doors, gutter installation, and repair. If you want to know more details about our services, call us at 979-200-4950.
