Roof Inspection And Repair

11/22/2017 (Permalink)

Roof valleys can collect debris, stop the flow of water, and start a roof leak

One of the biggest problems homeowners face is roof maintenance and roof leaks. Against all types of weather your roof is your first line of defense. Because roofs can last 25 or 30 years we sometimes tend to not think about a 10 year-old or 15 year-old roof needing attention. But it doesn’t matter if you live in an older home or a brand new home--you need to inspect your roof (regardless of the roof’s age) at least a few times a year and make any necessary repairs. One advantage of inspecting your roof frequently is that you may spot small repairs you can make yourself at little cost. Finding and fixing the small issues prevents them from growing into bigger and much more costly issues. 

Be Careful

Most roofs are not safe for you to climb on. We don’t encourage it. But you can do a pretty good job inspecting your roof from the ground using a pair of binoculars. Or if you’re careful, you can climb a ladder to get a closer look at the roof. Look for:

• Cracked caulk or rust spots on flashing
• Shingles that are buckling, curling, or blistering
• Missing or broken shingles
• Cracked and worn rubber boots around vent pipes
• Missing or damaged chimney cap
• Cracks in the mortar in your chimney
• Masses of moss and lichen, which could signal the roof is decaying underneath (black algae stains are just cosmetic)
• Wet spots

Flashing

If flashing seems damaged or missing get a professional roofer to inspect and see if it needs replacing. Flashing is more complicated than the rest of the roof so we advise you to not handle it yourself. 

Roof problems? Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield at (860) 216-2785. 

Replacing Asphalt Shingles
As they age, asphalt shingles can become more brittle and less flexible. That means that if they’re blown upwards by strong wind, they may break instead of snapping back. If you must replace one or more shingles, replace entire shingles-- not just one tab of a shingle. To replace shingles, lift up the tabs of the damaged shingle, and the tabs of the shingles above it. This gives you access to the nails. Remove the nails (usually 3-4 near the top of each shingle) and pull out the damaged shingle. Replace it with a new one of a similar color and style. Don’t forget to replace the nails from the course above when you nail in the new shingle and cover any nails or nail holes with a glob of roofing cement. You may want to stick the tabs down with a little of the cement. That will give the shingle more strength against a wind. 

Vent Pipe Flashing Jacks
Roof jacks around plumbing vents can wear out over time. Replacing the roof jack is the best solution. That begins with removing the shingles that lap over the vent base so that you can take off the damaged vent and replace it with a new one. Make sure the replacement is the same size. Nail down the upper side of the vent base and replace the shingle above it. If the shingle is damaged you’ll have to notch a new one to take its place. 

Roof problems? Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield at (860) 216-2785. 

Roof Valleys
The valleys where two planes of your roof meet often catch leaves, branches, and debris. When that happens water can stop flowing down the roof. It’s like having a dam on your roof. That can force water back up under your shingles. So keep any valleys in your roof free of debris. Some builders cover roof valleys with metal. If the metal loses its coating it can begin to rust. That means a leak won’t be far behind. Use a scraper or a wire brush to remove the rust and clean the metal so that you can recoat it with a rust inhibiting paint. 

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Top 50 Franchise Nationally
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service