Although many people have an impression that roofs are good for many years without any type or regular maintenance, the fact is that there are a few basic roof repairs that will go a long way in preventing major damage down the road. Many homeowners never pay attention to their roof until its too late. They will notice a leak coming through the ceiling and by that time there could already be extensive damage in other areas of the home that is not visible upon first glance. This article will go over a few basic ideals in preventative maintenance.
Wood shingles can be more prone to leaks because they expand and contract with the changing weather year round. Although there needs to be space between them so they can expand, if they get too large and crack, they can be prone to leaks. The easiest way to stop this from starting is monitor the shingles at the change of every season. If you see small cracks, even cracks up to one half inch thick, you can fill the gap with caulk for an easy repair. If the crack is larger or part of the shingle is missing altogether, it needs to be removed and replaced.
Roll roofing can become loose and form tears which will quickly lead to roof leaks because there is nothing on top of the roll. To fix this, place a liberal amount of roof cement under the tear and press it down flat on the roof. Once the roll is in place, nail it down for extra support and the fix should be complete.
One of the most common areas for roof problems that is often overlooked are gutters around the roof. These can become full of debris from trees, shingle remains, and even bird nests causing backup, which can damage a home or roof in many ways. It is very important to inspect gutters regularly for these issues. Major storms can bring down branches and leaves, clogging up gutter, which will force the flowing water out onto the roof, and possibly causing a leak. During spring and summer months, birds will regularly make nests in gutters, because they are a safe and ideal base for small twigs. These blockages will also cause major water flow issues and can damage not only the gutters, but the roof surrounding the immediate area. In areas of the country that receive large amounts of snowfall, snow can melt off the roof because of heat from the underlying home, and refreeze once it runs into the gutter. These major freeze points become ice dams. The melting and refreezing will continue to happen as more water builds up behind the dam and can back up and break shingles. Attic ventilation can help prevent this because it will help keep the roof colder so there will not be constant melting. Another solution is heating tape that can be bought at most hardware stores. The tape plugs into an outside outlet and keeps the ice melted in the gutters to prevent freezing.
If you have any questions about roof maintenance in the Houston area, please contact Houston Roofing Company at 713-758-0565.