Although roofing technology has improved drastically over the years, they can still develop cracks and damage which can cause leaks and other issues. Basic repair and maintenance in the early stages of damage can help prevent cost damage as well as future issues.
Some of the most common roofs are ones that have shingles. These are comprised of many small rubber tiles that are placed in overlapping fashion on the roof. Many times damages are caused by shingles that are cracked or curled allowing water to penetrate the roof. If you find the shingleles are curled, a basic repair can consist of re-attaching the shingle back to the roof with specific cement or roofing nails. Another easy fix for the broken shingles is to replace the set completely. The broken pair can be removed and new shingles can be added and slid under the above set. It is important to round off the edges of the new shingles so they fit easier.
As with any roof leak, it is important to find the cause of the leak. Many times leaks form where two edges come together. For instance, the meeting of two walls or where a chimney comes in contact with the roof, caulking can crack and cause leaks. This type of crack is much more prone on flat roofs. They are especially prone to this because the roof can develop low spots over time, or they can be caused from roof tar settling differently across the roof. Although these roofs can develop leaks easier than pitched roofs, the leaks are generally right under the crack instead of in a different area like other roofs. The first sign of an issue will be if you see a large area of standing water on the roof. Before you attempt to search for the crack, clean the water and allow the area of concern to dry. If the roof has bubbled, it needs to be punctured so it can be flatted and re-attached to the tar below. Once the bubble has been opened, dry the water inside it before trying to glue it down. Once the bubble has dried, apply roof tar inside it as well as on top of the cut you made and firmly press down to seal the crack. To be safe, extra roof nails will help keep the new tar layer attached.
Although roof leak repair might seem like a daunting task to accomplish, with minimal effort issues can be prevented and fixed. It is important to know how to accomplish these tasks to keep from paying extremely high costs to replace an entire roof. Always look for tell tale signs like discoloration and make sure to check your roof regularly.
