Every few years, residential home owners need to have the roof of their home repaired or replaced. This can be a stressful experience considering the integrity of the roof is crucial to the home owner’s living experience; however, much of this stress can be relieved by knowing a few general tips about roofing.
One factor that is very important to consider when repairing or replacing a roof is the type of climate the roof is exposed to. Different climates require different types of shingles, types of nails, and other various materials.
Shingles are perhaps the most important material in roofing, thus the decision of what type of shingle to use is crucial. There are many different kinds of shingles made from every kind of material; however, the two most common types of shingles are organic asphalt shingles and fiberglass asphalt shingles.
Organic asphalt shingles are popular in areas prone to colder climates and longer winters. Though typically costing slightly more than fiberglass shingles, organic asphalt shingles are heavier because they contain more asphalt per square foot than their fiberglass counterparts and thus are more resistant to strong winds and colder weather.
Fiberglass asphalt shingles are cheaper than the organic asphalt shingles, but contain nearly 40% less asphalt per square foot than the organic asphalt shingles. Because of their lighter weight and less asphalt per square foot, fiberglass shingles are more ideal in hotter climates; the lighter weight allows the shingles to breathe more, thus keeping the house cooler.
Leaks are a common problem roofs have and can be disastrous if not taken care of properly. Remember, the most common place leaks occur are the places the roof meets something that isn’t the roof; i.e., where shingles meet a brick chimney, a metal vent, an exhaust fan, etc.
In order to prevent leaks where the shingles meet up to another part of the home, metal flashings should be used in order to ensure proper sealing. Flashings are typically made from sheet metal and are used to reinforce the angles, corners, and joints of a roof.
If a roof has a leak it is important to get the leak fixed as soon as possible because of the potential damage that can occur to the house by a leak. Whether a homeowners fix it themselves or hires a profession, it is crucial the leak is fixed correctly.
Often finding the true point of entry of the leak is the hardest part of the repair. If water is able to get under the shingles it can often run across the rafters and drip into the home in a very different spot than it entered the home.
When looking for the point of entry of a leak, it is important to do so with plenty of light, typically during the day. Having good light is important when looking for water staining on the rafters and trying to trace the path the water took to get into the home.
When the source of the leak is found, the repair can be made. However, the difficulty of the repair varies depending on how long the leak has been leaking and how large the leak is.
If water has been leaking into the home for a long period of time, sometimes the water damage will affect the structural integrity of the framing of the home. If this has occurred, it is best to have an experienced roofing repairman fix the leak because he will have experience dealing with structural instability and will know the proper course of action.
If the leak is relatively small and it is apparent where the leak is coming from, it is often a relatively simple process for the homeowners to fix the problem themselves. A quick trip to a hardware store can provide the tools necessary to repair the leak.
While repairing the leak, it is a good idea to inspect the roof for others areas in need of repair, whether those areas are currently leaking or not. Remember, it is much easier to prevent roofing problems than to fix them after they occur.
Nearly everyone will have to deal with the problem of repairing or replacing a roof sometime in their life. Knowing a few simple facts can help this process be much less stressful.
Tom Selwick has been a general contractor for 15 years and has authored hundreds of articles relating to home construction. He recommends (http://www.warburtonsinc.com/) as a reference for home roofing tips.
|
|