When that time of year comes around where it is raining, snowing, or windy outside, you are not likely to be thinking about roof repair. However, leaks in your roof may cause you more than just wet floors and damaged furniture if not attended quickly. Instead of waiting for the next big rainstorm to do damage before calling someone out to take a look at your roof, here are some tips on when professional help supersedes leaking roof repair DIY.
Structural Damage
Suppose there is any visible damage on the exterior of your home, such as small trees growing through your roof. In that case, this could mean that serious internal damage has been done and should be evaluated by a professional right away. There may even have been some structural compromise that will need attention before another storm comes along and does further damage to your home’s structure. In addition to expecting these signs after major storms, it is also important to keep an eye out for damage following large hail, which can cause punctures in roofs that are not visible from the ground.
When a tree branch is growing through your roof, and you cannot tell where the tree’s roots are located, it is time to contact a professional. This can also be true if you notice some branches or parts of trees on your roof during the summer months. While some damage may not require immediate or entire tree removal, such as branches poking through shingles, this type of roof maintenance should never be a leaking roof repair DIY project. It is much safer for everyone involved that you call in professionals for tree pruning or when dealing with large pieces of debris that could potentially fall onto someone below.
Damaged Flashing
Stucco is a common material used in roofing and may require replacement when it has begun to deteriorate and crack. It is important not to try and fix this type of damage yourself, as the subsequent water that seeps into your home could cause further damage. If you have replaced stucco or plan on doing so, flashings should always be replaced at the same time for safety reasons.
As with other types of repairs, if the flashing around any skylights, chimneys, or vent pipes are damaged, contact a professional contractor immediately. This part of your home will need to be properly evaluated before having work done.
In addition to causing severe damage if left unattended for too long, these types of repairs can cause further damage to your home is carried out as a leaking roof repair DIY exercise.
Roof Repairs
If you notice gaping holes in your roof or missing shingles, it is time to call in help. While these issues can be fixed, they should not be attempted a leaking roof repair DIY project because of how dangerous it could be for them and others around them if done incorrectly or without the proper tools. Toolboxes for trucks can make roof repairs easier, but any experienced contractor will know how to get the job done safely.
Gaping holes in your roof present several problems, including but not limited to water leakage, which can lead to further damage costing more money down the line when left unattended. Missing shingles also need replacement since they will only continue to get worse with each storm that passes through; this means that once an individual shingle has come loose, and it is at serious risk of becoming lost to the wind.
If you are experiencing any of these signs, it is time to contact your roofer for an estimate on roof repair or new roof installation. Since most roofs will last between 20 and 30 years depending upon their pitch, materials used, and how often they are maintained, this means that if your home was built in the early 80s or before, you should have had more than three full decades to enjoy your roof without needing serious repairs or replacements. While roofs can last significantly longer than that, even with neglect, homeowners must maintain their homes through regular preventative measures to avoid further damage, which could have been prevented had there been adequate maintenance done each year.
Roof Pitch Repair
If you have a slanted roof, this usually means that the pitch is much steeper than it would be if flat. This is because when slopes become too steep, shingles can actually slide off under their weight and even during strong winds and storms if no reinforcements are made before installation. Alterations like this will often require professional assistance to ensure they are done correctly and safely for everyone involved, including your family.
A steep pitch also requires extensive work to keep everything secure, which means that someone capable of doing the job needs to begin by installing flashing around all tabbing points on your home; this will help to prevent further damage from occurring as water leaks. It also needs to be equipped with the correct equipment for your roof pitch and installed by workers who are skilled in this area of expertise from a roofing service company.
Water leakage is one of the most common problems homeowners face because their roofs have either worn away or become damaged over time, which means that it is essential to repair them immediately before more long-term issues begin. If left unattended, leaking roofs can cause mold to form within the soft spots, which will then affect everything it comes into contact with, including drywall, insulation, carpeting, subfloors, and so forth. If you are noticing any of these signs, do not prepare for leaking roof repair DIY instead, call in professional help as soon as possible before you end up having to replace not only your shingles but also parts of your exterior due to water damage.
Mold Growth
If you notice any mold growth on or around your roof, it is best to call in professional help as soon as possible. Mold only grows upwards and outwards, which means that if it has taken hold of your shingles, there is a good chance that it has begun growing downward towards the inside. While this may seem like an unlikely scenario because most roofs are installed high above ground level, they can be affected by windblown spores, for example, during storms. If water damage occurs, these spores will begin taking root within open spaces where they could remain undetected until there is visible mold growth. This can lead to serious long-term issues for homeowners if not caught early enough.
Mold removal should always be done by professionals who know how to dispose of mold-infested materials safely. If left alone, the mold will continue to spread and infect everything in its vicinity, including your clothing, basement, attic, bedrooms, and more. While certain household items can be used to contain moisture within a home when water damage occurs, it is best to call in professional help no matter what because they have access to special equipment that can track leaks and help identify their location with ease.
Missing Shingles
If you spot any missing shingles on your roof during a casual walk around your property or if you notice debris build up between layers of shingles during normal household activities, do not hesitate to contact a professional roofing contractor as soon as possible. Missing shingles allow water to seep inside of your home, causing a wide range of issues that you need to avoid at all costs because they can lead to long-term problems if left unattended for too long.
If you have recently had your roof replaced and noticed that some shingles are missing after the first big storm, it is most likely due to improperly installed nails allowing them to come loose. In this case, it is best to inform your contractor so that they can resolve the issue promptly instead of having you deal with it on top of everything else. You should also be aware that minor damage or even excessive weather conditions make a good enough excuse for having your roofing repaired. If you notice missing shingles during the first year of installation, it may be due to improper flashing, which can cause water leaks to seep through and compromise your entire roof, do not handle it as a leaking roof repair DIY project.
Sharp edges on any existing metal work or wood materials can also cause shingles to become loose within a short period, so always check for them if you notice anything out of the ordinary.
Constant Water Puddles
If you notice small pools of water forming on top of your roof whenever it rains, there is a good chance that you have some leakage. It may be due to missing shingles, rust spots, or worn out flashing, allowing water to seep through. If left unattended, this can lead to more serious issues down the road, so make sure to call in professional help instead of leaking roof repair DIY project as soon as possible because minor problems can quickly escalate into major ones.
You should also check your gutters to ensure they are not blocked or damaged because they can cause roof leaks. Debris buildup is the most common reason why gutters malfunction, which prompts water to spill over instead of being diverted away from your home at all times. If you notice any debris build-up, it is best to clear them out immediately before the problem gets worse so that you do not have to deal with expensive repairs down the road.
Blistering or Bubbling Paint
Blisters or bubbles under different sections of your paint mean that moisture has gotten beneath it, causing extensive damage to your surface material. In this case, you need to have the affected area of your roof repainted as soon as possible because it will compromise your entire roof if left unattended for too long.
Spotty fading of paint If you notice that some sections of your roof are faded. In contrast, others do not look anything like they used to. This is another clear sign that something has come loose beneath them, causing water to seep through and damage the layers of material beneath. It is best to call a roof contractor as soon as possible because they can identify potential problems which you may not be able to fix as a leaking roof repair DIY exercise without compromising the quality of their work.
When choosing a contractor, make sure that they have extensive experience and a solid track record of successful projects because this will help you avoid dealing with issues down the road. You will even want to ask for their past client references so that you can contact them and gather firsthand information about what they are like as professionals and if they are easy to work with.
Cracks in Your Foundation
If there are cracks in the walls of your home, this could be an indication that something is shifting beneath your roof. This means that there could already be a significant amount of damage to your shingles or flashing, which can cause water to seep through and jeopardize the overall integrity of the materials used to construct it.
Another reason why you might notice cracks forming around your windows, doors, and exterior walls is because dirt has built up over time, causing too much pressure on weak areas of your roof. This will inevitably result in major problems if not addressed promptly. Do not execute a leaking roof repair DIY project, so make sure to contact a professional contractor as soon as you spot any signs of distress.
Evidence of Animals Nesting
If you notice traces of animal nests, droppings, or chew marks, this means that there is already extensive damage beneath the surface of your roof. You will want to contact a roofing service company as soon as possible because waiting too long or leaking roof repair DIY could compromise the quality of their work and force them to conduct costly repairs down the road, which you should have done in the first place.
Your gutters are your first line of defense when it comes to preventing water from damaging your roof, so make sure that they are clean at all times by removing any fallen leaves or debris buildup whenever necessary. This will allow water to flow freely without getting trapped between your shingles which can cause leaks over time.
If you are not sure how to identify the signs of damage on your roof, have an experienced contractor come by and perform a thorough inspection for you. They will tell you what needs repairing so that you can avoid further problems down the road.
