When to Consider Roof Repair

Roof repair can be an intimidating task. It's the roof over your family, business, or investment and it needs to be done right. Some types of problems warrant a visit from your local professional. You should learn about the causes of trouble up top. Some are the result of poor maintenance, while others are the result of weather.

As far as weather goes, both hail, extreme winds, and falling trees can damage your home or structure. While you can't really stop the wind or rain, you can make sure your roof isn't going to blow away. Hail damage can be prevented, or at least minimized, by using impact-resistant shingles. These can handle golf ball-sized hail, but if you have any dormer windows, vents, or decorative aspects, they are still vulnerable to icy chunks.

As far as wind issues, you may want to consult with a professional about your geographic location and what kind of materials you'll need to weatherproof your home. Some areas don't get much airflow, while others get hurricane force winds. Speaking of hurricanes, if you live in an area prone to either hurricanes or tornados, you may want to consider hurricane straps and other methods of preparing your home, such as anchor bolts between different levels in a multilevel home. These make sure all the parts of your house are secured. If you live in a place prone to any inclement weather or natural disaster, you should consult with a trusted company to discuss how to optimize your home's safety. You may find that your gables are braced improperly or your sheathing isn't properly connected. These are fixable, but only if you find and correct these problems in advance.

Another reason for roof repair is improper installation or poor maintenance. For those who don't want to poke around in their attic or get on a ladder, you can hire someone to inspect your roofing for you. Prevention is key. Many problems are the result of ignoring a curled shingle or missing tile. Think of your roof as a protective membrane. It needs to be whole in order to protect your home. One rogue tile can end up causing water leaks, damage to sheathing, and even damage to the important things that are in your attic, such as air conditioning systems. You can check by just looking around in the attic to see if your gables are braced correctly. After a storm has passed, you can go into your attic during daylight and see if you can spot any light coming in. If you are missing shingles, the wood could rot through and expose your attic to wind, rain, and small animals.

The best route for roof repair is to enlist the help of a professional. Even if you eventually choose to do some repairs yourself, you need to know what your options are. If you are building a structure, you need to know if your existing roof has properly installed drip edges, underlayment a roof deck and, most obviously, shingles.