At one point, every house comes into a state when the owner has to decide whether to replace the roof altogether or try restoring it. The best answer to this question depends on how much damage has your roof sustained over the years, as well as on the opinion of a professional roofer. In most cases, you can identify the cause of the problem and repair and restore only the critical area of the roof.
Safety first
While the best time to repair a failing roof is the moment you identify the problem, in some cases waiting for a month or two is justified. Roof repair and restoration experts recommend working on the roof only in pleasant weather. Conducting any roof works when it's raining or windy poses a risk of falling. On the other hand, extreme temperatures may cause damage to shingles, preventing them from sealing properly. In some cases, working on the roof is no less dangerous than working around power lines. Make sure the area around the house is zoned off against pets and children. While working on the roof, take advantage of available safety gear such as harnesses and ropes anchored into the roof structure framing.
Identify the leaks
If you identify the problem by stormwater leaks, decide whether it's easier to make permanent repairs or you need a new roof. If the roof as a whole is sound with only one or two weak spots as a result of a falling branch or a severe storm, you may need to make permanent repairs only. On the other hand, if the roof is showing signs of general wear, any repairs you make will solve the problem only for the time being, as there are chances other leaks will appear soon. In that case, re-roofing is a better strategy. Even if you can start with re-roofing now, you still need several weeks to plan and prepare, during which you need to cover leaky spots with plywood or plastic sheets.
Replace shingles and shakes
If during your regular roof inspection, you discover a few loose shingles or shakes that need replacing, you should know that a repair-savvy homeowner will easily get the job done without professional help. In case you have a stack of replacement shingles stashed somewhere from your original roof installation, you don't even have to waste time shopping for the right product. Remove the damaged pieces, install new underlayment, and lay over new shingles or shakes. On the other hand, if your ridge capping is damaged as a result of a storm, you need to call professionals who specialize in roof restoration to rebid and repoint your ridge caps. While at it, they will check your entire roof for loose shingles that your inspection might have missed.
Fix the roof vents
Whichever roof repair or restoration option you choose; you need to check if there are any broken vents. Roof vents help stabilize the temperature between the attic and the roof. With no vents, your roof might be more prone to ice and snow build-up in the winter, as no warm air from the attic is able to reach it. While caulking might solve the problem temporarily, in the long run, you need to replace the damaged vents with new ones. After the job is done, the roofers should check if there are any nail missing or placed in a semi-pulled position. The nails under the shingles can be removed from both sides of the vent, or replaced with rubber-washed screws.
Clear out the gutters
Clogged gutters are one of the most common reasons behind roof leaks. Obstructed gutters tend to accumulate a lot of stormwater during the rainy season, which can cause rotting in the roof understructure. While rotting doesn't result in immediate damage, it blocks natural roof ventilation. In some cases, the cause of a roof sagging in the middle is the deteriorated plywood underneath.
A damaged roof can cause further damage to your house. Leaking water can destroy your drywall or plaster features, cause extensive mould infestation, and even rot the framing structure. While taking action immediately is the best possible solution, make sure you invest in safety when working on the roof, and don’t hesitate to call roof repairmen if the problem is too big for you to handle.
