Having a sturdy roof on top of your house is very crucial to the well-being of your home. A sound roof is what keeps the elements out, while keeping your family warm and dry (or cool in the summer). Any signs of damage should be taken care of right away. If a leaky roof isn’t addressed immediately, the damage could worsen and lead to more structural damage, along with thousands of dollars to make the necessary repairs.
Here are a few tips on how to make the necessary fixes to your roof:
- Repair Damaged Shingles. Shingles that are curled back are an easy fix. All you have to do is flatten it out and reattach it using asphalt roof cement. If part of a shingle goes missing or is rotten, you’ll have to replace it with a new shingle. Use a pry bar to remove the nails and scrape off any leftover roof cement. Then, round off the back corners and slide the new shingle into place. Finish the job by using 6d galvanized roof nails to fasten the shingle and cover the nails using roof cement.
- Prevent Dry Rot. Dry rot is caused by lack of ventilation. Preventing it involves installing a ridge vent, which will only work if there is a soffit vent. Installing attic fans will also help with ventilation along your roof. A poorly ventilated roof will lead to problems in the long run.
- Look for “Shiners.” A shiner is a nail that missed the framing member, and could be the root cause of minor leaks. To find shiners, inspect the underside of your roof and look for nails that are sticking out. Moisture that escapes a cold attic can condense on these nails. The moisture will freeze in the winter and then melt in the summer, which could lead up to dry rot. When you find a shiner, all you have to do is clip the nail with side-cutting pliers.
- Keep Gutters Clean. This is the most common reason roofs begin to leak. Clogged gutters can bring on water buildup during the rain.
When you have a major roofing issue, make sure you contact the professionals at Bauer Built Remodeling.