Leaks in roofs can result in ceiling stains, damaged framing and sheathing, destroyed insulation, mold growth and mold infestation. Even one missing shingle compromises water tightness of your roof’s water tight seal.
Start by inspecting the open valley flashing to ensure no leaks exist in this area of the roof.
Flashing
Flashing is a component used to prevent water leaks by sealing or connecting parts of a roof system together, such as at penetrations such as chimneys, vent pipes and skylights. Flashing should be installed around the perimeter of a roof as well as where slope changes and penetrations occur such as chimneys vent pipes skylights chimneys etc. Also it’s used where materials meet in exterior walls such as aluminum copper galvanized steel traditional tin-plated steel flashing is available; standard caulk and roofing cement should not be used since they won’t withstand weathering effects as effectively.
There are various indicators that indicate your flashing is damaged or failing, including lifted shingles around it and gaps or cracks appearing between flashing panels. Regular checks for signs of wear should include looking out for these symptoms – any time a problem appears it should be repaired immediately to prevent serious water damage occurring over time.
Gutters
Gutters are an essential component of a roof drainage system, diverting rainwater away from the home in order to prevent foundation damage, mold growth and rot. Unfortunately, gutters may also present their own set of challenges like leaks, clogs and sagging; when these arise it can often be repaired quickly at low costs, potentially saving thousands in structural damage costs.
Leaks typically form at rusty spots, seams that have opened due to expansion and contraction, or where gutter metal meets siding of a house. Repairing these holes with roof-and-gutter repair tape is relatively simple; wire brush the metal surface first to remove loose dirt or rust before thoroughly cleaning it off before spraying a special metal-repair primer on top if necessary for optimal adhesion and bonding.
If the gutter is clogged, use a garden hose to clear away the blockage. Clogged gutters put strain on fascia boards and roof structures, potentially leading to their disconnection from the house and leading to irreparable damage of both parts.
Shingles
From winds, rain, snow, and storm debris blow-off, your roof’s shingles take quite an impactful beating. Cracked, torn or missing shingles can leave leaks and other forms of damage open for further action from leakage to further structural problems if left undiscoverable by you alone. To save both time and frustration in attempting DIY roof repair jobs yourself, professional roofers are an invaluable service that are here to help when damage to shingles occurs – they know their craft better than anyone.
To replace a damaged shingle, first remove it using a flat pry bar and loosening any glue sealers holding it in place. Locate and remove any nails holding down the old one with a hammer.
Place the new shingle over its old one and secure it using eight nails; check all tabs line up properly and apply roofing sealant over any repairs that were necessary.
Battens
Battens are integral components of roofs made with timber rafters and serve to hold tiles, slates or metal sheets in place. Constructed primarily of wood, battens are typically attached directly to the decking with nails. If one or more battens become damaged by hail or have become structurally compromised due to rot or have become unsupportable they must be replaced in order for your roof structure to continue functioning safely.
Step one is to determine the batten spacing up the roof slope. This can be accomplished using a gauge – available from most builders merchants – to set length of each batten and mark their locations on the roof frame with this gauge. If any horizontal felt overlaps don’t align with a batten, an intermediate batten may need to be added to hold down overlap and allow enough room for tile nibs on secondary battens if using tiles; or if replacing short sections of batten with extra long length, add long enough battens that span over and nail onto two additional rafters below where this replacement section needs replacing if this section needs replacing; an additional batten that spans over and can nailed to two additional rafters below is recommended as replacement method of batten replacement solution.