Category Archives: roofs

Roof problems repairs water damage prevention

Wind, weather, and flying debris can damage shingles . The ares along the valleys and ridges tend to take the most weather related abuse . Torn , loose or cracked shingles are common in the areas.

Buckled and cupped shingles are usually caused by moisture beneath the shingles. Loosened areas create an entry point for moisture and leave shingles vulnerable to wind damage.

A sagging ridge might be caused by the weight of too many roofing layers. It might also be the result of a more significant problem, such as a rotting ridge board or insufficient support for the rigid board.

Dirt and debris attract moisture and decay , which shorten a roof’s life. To protect shingles, carefully was the roof once a year using a pressure washer. Pay particular attention to areas where moss and mildew may accumulate .

In damp climates, it is good idea to nail a zinc strip along the center ridge of a roof, under the ridge caps. Minute quantities of zinc wash down the roof each time it rains , killing moss and mildew.

Overhanging tree limbs drop debris and provide shade that trim any limbs that overhang the roof.

If you have an unfinished attic, examine the underside of your roof with a flashlight on a rainy day. If you have an unfinished , examine the underside of your roof with a flashlight on a rainy day. If you find wetness , discoloration , or other signs of moisture ,trace the tail up to where the water is making its entrance .

Water flows toward a wall can be temporarily diverted to minimize damage. Nail a small block of wall in the path of the water, and place a bucket underneath to catch the drip. On a dry , drive a an through the underside of the roof decking to mark the hole .

If the leak is finding its way to finished ceiling , take steps to minimize damage until the leak can be repaired . As soon as possible, reduce the accumulation of water behind a ceiling by poking a small hole in the wallboard or plaster and draining the water.

Once you mark the source of a leak from inside, measure from that spot to a point will be visible and identifiable from the outside the house , such as chimney, vent pipe , or the peak of the roof. Get up on the roof and use that measurement to locate the leak .

If you roof is severely damage protect it with a tarp . To reattach smaller shingles loose use asphalt shingles use tube of asphalt sealer. Check the joints around the flashing , Pull old shingles around the good condition shingles . Remove old nails replace in the lowest point and work upward. Install all but the top shingle with nails , stop at the top shingle and seal at the sealer line .

How to Locate & Evaluate Make Emergency Repairs

If you have an unfinished attic, examine the underside of your roof with a flashlight on a rainy. If you find wetness , discoloration, or other signs of moisture , trace the trail up to where the water is making its entrance .

Water that flows toward a wall can temporarily diverted to minimize damage . Nail small block of wood in the path of the water , and place a bucket underneath catch the drip . On a dry day , drive a nail through the underside of the roof decking to mark the hole.

If the leak us finding its way to a finished ceiling , take steps to minimize damage until the leak can be repaired . As soon as possible, reduce the accumulation of water behind a ceiling by poking a small hole in the wallboard or plaster and draining the water.

Once you mark the source if a leak from inside , measure from that spot a point that will be visible and identifiable from outside the house , such as a chimney , vent pipe , or the peak of the roof . Get up on the roof and use that measurement to locate the leak.

If your roof is severely damaged , the primary goal is to prevent additional damage until permanent repairs are made . Nail a sheet of plywood to the roof to serve as emergency cover to keep out the wind and water . Tip: For temporarily repairs, use doubled-headed nails , which cane easily removed . Fill nail holes with roofing cement when the repair is complete.

Cover the damaged area by nailing strips of lath around the edges of a plastic sheet or tarp.

To reattach a loose shingle , wipe down the felt paper which is the first layer above ply wood.Let each dry, then apply a liberal coat of roofing cement . Press the shingle down to seat it in the bed of cement . Tip: Heat softens the roof’s surface , and cold makes it brittle slightly with hair dryer to make them easier to work with and less likely to crack.

Glue down buckled shingles by cleaning below the buckled area, filling the area with roofing cement , then pressing the shingle into the cement . Patch cracks and splits in shingles with roofing cement.

Check the joints which are common places for the leaks to occur . Seal any gaps by cleaning out and replacing any failed roofing cement.

Areas that typically leak vent stack, ridge which is the top of the roof, drip edge , soffit , and cracks real close up adjacent the roof. Roof damage can tend asphalt 30 years, metal roof 50 years and cedar shake if properly and maintain just like slate roof hundreds years .
Other real important things ice guard shield properly lets the material of the roof contracts makes it last longer time.

Common Roof Problems Remediating

Tools & Materials

Tape measure, Wire brush , Aviation snips , Trowel , Flat pry bar, hammer, utility knife , caulk gun, tarp , roofing cement , roofing nails, Replacement flashing , Replacement shingles, plywood , double headed nails, rubber gasket bails ,lath strips, wood chisel , Zinc strip , Hacksaw blade , protective equipment .
If the leak is finding its way a finished ceiling , take steps to minimize damage until the leak can be repaired . As soon as possible , reduce the accumulation of water behind a ceiling by poking a small hole in the wallboard or plaster and draining the water.

Once you mark the source of a leak from inside, measure from that spot to a point that will be visible and identifiable from outside the house, such as a chimney, vent pipe , or the peak of the roof. Get up on the roof and use that measurement to locate leak.

If your roof is revelry damaged , the primary goal is to prevent additional damage until permanent repairs are made. Nail a sheet of plywood to the roof to serve emergency cover to keep out the wind and water. Tip : For temporary repairs , use double headed nails , which can be easily removed . Fill nail holes with roofing cement when the repair is complete.

How to make spot repairs ( New Roof Contractor too)
with roofing cement

To reattach a loose shingle , wipe down the felt paper and the underside of the shingle . Let each dry , then apply a liberal coat of roofing cement. Press the shingle down to seat in the bed of cement . Tip:Heat softens the roof’s surface , and cold makes it brittle. If needed, warm shingles slightly with a hair drew and less likely to crack.

Tack down buckled shingles by cleaning below the buckled area, filling the the area with roofing cement , then pressing the shingle into the cement. Patch cracks and splits in shingles with roofing cements.

Check the joints around flashing which are common places for roof leaks to occur. Seal any gaps by cleaning out and replacing any failed roofing cement.

Pull out damaged shingles starting with the uppermost shingle in the damaged area. Be careful not to damaged surrounding shingles that are still in good condition .

Remove old nails in and above the repair area using flat pry bar. Patch damaged felt paper with roofing cement.

Install tje replacement shingles , beginning with the lowest shingle in the repair area. Nail above the tab slots using 7/8 or 1 inch nails .

Install all but the top shingle with nails , then apply roofing cement to the underside of the top shingle, above the seal line.

Slip the last shingle into place , under the overlapping shingle . Lift the shingles immediately above the repair area, and nail the top replacement shingle.

Rubber Roofs Torched Downs

Prepare the roof deck for membrane roofing by removing the old roofing material down to bare decking . Look closely for signs of deterioration . Replace deteriorated decking. For a smooth surface, cover there roof with a new layer of high density fiber board ( sold at roofing materials suppliers ) . Secure with fasteners recommend by the manufacturers for this purpose usually long scores with large insulation plates.

Sweep the roof deck thoroughly and spread out the membrane so it has a chance to relax . Make any cutouts in the membrane that may be necessary to allow for the vents pipes or other protrusions . Overlap the sheets 3 inches and wipe them down with the recommended cleaner ro prepare the surfaces for adhesive.

Apply the latex adhesive . Fold half of the first membrane sheet over on itself to expose the roof deck, and roll a heavy coat of adhesive onto both the deck and membrane surfaces with a medium nap paint roller . However , do not apply adhesive begins to set 9 about 20 minutes in normal conditions ), carefully roll the fold rubber down into place. Avoid wrinkling the membrane.

Use a stiff bristle push broom to brush out any air pockets that may be evident under the bonded half of the membrane . Brush from the middle of the roof outward to the edges. Then fold the other unbounded half over, apply adhesive to the rubber and roof deck again, and adhere this half of the membrane to the roof . Apply all sections of the membrane to the roof deck in this fashion , but do not apply adhesive within 3 inches of the edges of any overlapping sections rubber ; these must be accessible for applying seaming tape along the seams .

Roll the top section of overlapping membrane back along the seam area, and chalk a reference link inches from the edge of the bottom membrane . This mass the area for applying seam tape.

Tape the seams . Use the recommend cleaning solvent clean both halves of the overlapping membrane in the tape areas, then apply seaming tape sticky side down to the bottom membrane within the marked area. Press the tape down firmly to ensure good adhesion to the membrane.

Fold the top membrane overlap back in place on the tape. Slowly pull off the tape’s paper backing with the treatment edges now overlapping. Press the overlapping edges down to create a tighter , smooth seam. Roll the seamed areas with a J-roller or seam roller tool to bond the seam.

If the roof meets a vertical wall , you may need to remove siding so you can bond the membrane to wall sheathing . Use contact adhesive to apply the membrane 12 inch up the wall. Seal the edge with a metal termination bar fastened to the wall with exterior scores. Train off overhanging membrane around the roof edges , and flash it according to the manufacture’s recommendations using rubber adhesive flashing and rubber boots.

Roofing 3 Tab- Shingles

If you want to install asphalt shingle on your roof , the your are in good company . Asphalt shingles, are the roofing of choice for nearly four out of five homeowners in America . They perform well in all types of climate , are available in a multitude of colors, shapes, and textures to complement every housing design , and are less expensive than most other roofing.

Asphalt Shingles are available as either fiberglass shingles or organic shingles . Both types are made with asphalt, the difference being that one uses a fiberglass reinforcing mat, while the other uses a celluloses-fiber mat. Fiberglass shingles are lighter , thinner , and have higher tear strength , are more often in northern regions. Although the roofing market has exploded with innovative new asphalt shingle designs, such as innovative new asphalt shingle design designs, such as the architectural or laminated shingle that offers a three dimensional look , the standard three tab.

Stagger shingles for efective protection against leaks . If the the tab slots are lined in successive rows, water form channels, increasing erosion of the mineral surface of the shingles . Creating 6 inches off set between rows of shingles with the three tab shingles shown above ensures that the slots do not align.

Tools need

Aviation snips , Carpenter s square, Chalk line, Roofers hatchet , utility knife , Straight edge , Tape measure , Chalk gun , flashing, Nailing cartridges, roofing cement, roofing nails, 7/8 or 1 1/4. Rubber gasket nails , Protective equipment .

Cover the roof with felt paper after stripping down to plywood. and drip edge. Snap chalk line onto the felt paper or ice guard up from thieves edge, to mark the alignment of the starter course . This will result in a 1/2 inch shingle overhang fro standard 12 inch shingles .

Apply the first full course with the tabs pointing down . Begin at the first shingles so it overhangs the rake edge by 3/8 and the eaves edge by 1/2. Make sure the top of each shingle is flush with the top of the starter course, following the chalk line. Trim the edge line .

Snap the chalk line from the eaves edge to the ridge to create a vertical line to again the shingles. Choose an area with no obstructions, as close though a slot or a shingle edge on the first full shingle course. Use a carpenter s square to establish a line perpendicular to the eaves edge.

Use the vertical edge line . Check the alignment , Fill in the shingles , when reach the obstruction snap another vertical reference as a guide , Shingle upward the eaves and train off the excess. Install shingles on adjoining roof decks . Trim off shingle material valley flashing using utility knife . Install shingles up the vent pipe and glue with a double bead cement along the bottom edge the flange.

Shingle to flashing to chimney , Pry out the lowest course of siding tuck flashing under the siding , Install step flashing and shingles go down . When reach the ridge cut the shingle like home plate – pentagon . Also install the ridge if needs to all new homes have ridges .