Your roof is an essential part of your home, stalwartly protecting it from the elements. But severe storms can leave behind damage that requires repair.

Some damage is easy to spot, like dents in metal roofs or missing shingles. Other signs include staining on walls and ceilings, leaking water spots and damaged flashing. Visit https://www.ellingsonroofing.com/ to learn more.

1. Shingles

Shingles, the flat pieces of colored asphalt that cover a roof, are a key part of a home’s weatherproofing system. They prevent rain and snow from seeping into the roof deck and causing damage. They also block UV rays from the sun that can cause the roof to deteriorate and crack. In addition, they are the first line of defense against hail and other debris that can damage a roof. It’s important to regularly inspect your shingles for damage, and if necessary, have them repaired.

Shingle repair starts with removing any overlapping roofing material, which can be done with a shingle pry bar. This step is important to avoid damaging any intact shingles that are overlying the damaged ones. After the overlapping shingles have been removed, start loosening the nails and adhesive with the pry bar, working progressively closer to the damaged shingle. Once the nails and adhesive are loosened, pull up the old shingle and replace it with the new one.

Once the new shingle is in place, lay down a bead of roof sealant to secure it. This will ensure that the next wind storm doesn’t tear off your hard work and damage your roof.

You can use the same procedure to repair any other shingles that are loose or missing from your roof. Just make sure you have a ladder that’s safe to climb and someone at the base of the ladder to assist you. If you are unsure of how to repair your roof, it may be best to leave it to a professional roofer.

Shingles are the most common roof repair that homeowners need to perform. They can be damaged by the elements or by animals. When a shingle is damaged, it can cause a rash known as shingles, which is a painful blister-like condition that usually scabs over in about 10 days. In some cases, especially with people who have weakened immune systems, the shingles rash can be more widespread on the body. This is because the virus travels through specific nerves and often affects areas on the body that send and receive signals from those nerves, such as your torso and face.

2. Flashing

Flashing is a sheet of thin metal bent to fit into the joints in a roof. It prevents water from seeping into a wall, and it helps direct rainwater away from vulnerable areas of the roof. Flashing is typically installed at the seams of roof penetrations, chimneys, vent pipes, skylights and other roof structures.

It’s typically made of galvanized steel, which is coated with zinc to prevent rusting. The metal stretches across the joint and is secured in place with mortar, cement or roofing shingles. It’s often a key component of any roofing repair job, because it can help prevent leaks and extend the life of your roof.

There are different types of flashing, depending on the area it’s protecting. For example, plumbing vent flashing consists of a base and a cap that create a watertight seal around the vent opening. Skylight flashing is another type of roof flashing, which protects the edges of a skylight to ensure that water doesn’t infiltrate your home. Chimney flashing is typically comprised of a step flashing that integrates with the shingles, a counter flashing that attaches to the chimney and a saddle or cricket to help divert rainwater.

If you’re repairing flashing, it’s important to remember that it’s a highly technical job. If you’re not sure how to do it correctly, you should hire a professional roofer.

The best way to identify problems with flashing is to look for leaking water. Leaking can lead to mold and rot, and it can also cause water damage to the rest of your house. If you notice leaking from flashing, it’s crucial to fix the problem as soon as possible to prevent more costly repairs down the line.

When it comes to flashing, the key is to mimic how the previous piece was fixed to the roof. This might mean using nails or a type of roofing cement. In general, you should avoid nailing flashing in areas that will be exposed to water, such as the corners of a roof or near roof penetrations. If you do use nails, make sure they’re coated with a waterproof sealant.

3. Underlayment

While the shingles might be what you notice when looking at your roof, underlayment is an important component to keep in mind. Roofing underlayment adds another layer of protection to the roof deck and helps prevent moisture from damaging the wood and making its way into the home. But this crucial layer can become damaged, which can cause leaks and other roofing issues.

When a roofer first starts working on a roof, he is usually dealing with a bare roof deck. The first step is to install the underlayment, which serves as a barrier between the bare roof and the shingles or other roof-covering material.

Depending on the climate, roofing type, and budget, there are several types of roof underlayment. Felt, synthetic underlayment, and rubberized asphalt are some of the most common options.

The choice of underlayment depends on the roof-covering materials, typical temperatures, and jurisdictional requirements. The underlayment should be designed to work well with the roofing materials, as it will likely be exposed to the elements during installation.

If the underlayment gets wet, it can cause structural damage to the roof and walls of a home. It can also lead to mold growth, which can pose health concerns for residents. In addition, it can create a pool of water that can seep through the ceilings and walls.

While a leaky underlayment can lead to costly damages, it can be easily repaired by your local roofing company. It is typically made of lightweight materials, and the best underlayment is able to resist moisture and heat.

Synthetic underlayment is an alternative to felt and offers greater durability in high-wind areas. It is also more resistant to UV rays, which can degrade felt underlayment over time.

Like the other types of underlayment, it is typically fastened to the roof with staples or a glue-based adhesive. However, in high-wind areas and with synthetic underlayment, it is often fastened with plastic caps instead of staples to limit the possibility of wind damage to the underlayment. Some underlayment is also available with a non-skid surface, which can be easier for workers to walk on during the installation process.

4. Gutters

Gutters are troughs that run along the edge of a roof and carry rainwater away from the house. They keep water from pooling on the roof, overflowing and causing damage to the siding, landscaping and foundation. Gutters also prevent a buildup of wet soil around the home that can push through foundation walls and cause basement flooding and structural damage.

Like the shingles and underlayment, gutters require periodic maintenance to keep them functioning properly. The most common gutter problems are clogging, sagging and leaking. These can occur when leaves, twigs and other debris accumulate inside the trough and block rainwater flow. Over time, this can result in sagging gutters and downspouts that fall off the fascia boards. If left unattended, clogged gutters can even overflow to the roof edges and lead to mold growth, which is a serious health hazard.

Clogged gutters must be cleaned regularly, usually twice a year. The best way to clean your gutters is to hire a professional who can use a ladder safely and a power washer to remove the gunk from the troughs. A professional can also install gutter covers to keep twigs, leaves and other debris from getting into the gutters in the first place.

If you notice rust spots or visible wear and tear on the gutters, soffits or fascia, it’s an indication that they need to be repaired or replaced. It’s recommended to have a complete roof inspection and cleaning at least twice per year, so the roofers can spot potential problems before they become serious issues.

One of the most important tasks homeowners can do to help extend the lifespan of their roof is to install gutters. In addition to the benefits outlined above, installing a gutter system can help reduce the need for expensive and invasive roof repairs. For instance, if your house is located in a region with clay-rich soil, without a proper gutter system, water will collect and pool on the roof surface, causing significant damage to the shingles, underlayment, siding and foundation. Gutters, however, can efficiently channel water away from the house to protect these areas and prevent costly damage.