Assess Damaged Roof Shingles
The first thing you should do is decide if this is DIY territory or if you should call in the pros. If there is quite a bit of damage, you dont have the tools or materials to do a good job, or you just plain dont like the idea of climbing on your roof, ask professional roofers for help hey, its what we do!
Besides, its often unsafe to repair shingles on your own. Professionals can repair loose or missing shingles quickly and properly, likely saving you money and further hassles in the long run.
On the other hand, if you do consider yourself handy or were talking just one or two shingles that youre confident you can fix yourself, go ahead and move on to step two.
Before You Start The Roof Repair
Before you begin repairing or replacing any shingles, there are a couple of things you need to know.
Our Free Roof Inspection
How do you know when its time for a new roof? The only way to be sure of your residential roofs current condition is to have a licensed professional personally inspect it. Werner Roofing is proud to offer free roof inspections for every client, so you can be sure of your roofs condition. Every Werner Roofing inspection comes complete with our promise: We wont recommend or sell a roof replacement unless its necessary.
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Signs You Need A Roof Repair
While your roof may not show any major signs of damage, it doesnt mean you dont need a roof repair. Many roofing experts recommend regularly inspecting your roof to make sure it is in good condition.
During your roof inspection, be sure to keep an eye out for these key signs to determine whether its time to fix up your roof:
- Signs of water damage such as water stains or the presence of mold
- Missing, curled, or cracked shingles
- Rusted metal roofing components
- Presence of moss or algae on the roof
If your roof is over 20 years old, it might be time to completely remove and replace your old shingles. If the cost of repairing your roof is reaching the same price as replacing it, an entire roof replacement may be a better investment.
Curled Or Cupped Shingles
When youre checking out your homes roof, you should look for curled or cupped shingles. Curled and cupped shingles are much more brittle than undamaged shingles, and they are less effective at protecting your roof from rain and wind.
This could simply be an indication that your roof is older and ready to be replaced, but it can also be indicative of more than just roof damage. Curled or cupped shingles are often a sign that your homes attic doesnt have proper venting. In that case, you would need to repair or replace the roof, but you may also have to have your attics ventilation system repaired.
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The Roof Repair Process
When replacing damaged asphalt roofing shingles, you can replace an entire strip which typically spans 3-feet by 1-foot. You can also cut the shingle into sections and replace just a single tab. If any part of the damaged shingle remains on the roof, insert a putty knife under it to break the seal. A flat bar can then be used to pry up the damaged shingles and remove any remaining nails holding them in place.
If you are removing just one damaged tab, use a utility knife to cut off the damaged tab. Once the damaged piece is removed, slide the new shingle strip or tab into its proper place. You want to secure the new shingle under the shingle that is above it with roofing nails. With the replacement shingle in place, carefully lift the tab and apply a small dab of roofing cement to help seal the shingle to the roof. Be sure to check the condition of your roof in the days following the roof repair job. If any of the shingles start to lift, apply more tar.
Average Asphalt Shingles Repair Cost
On average, the cost to repair a roof ranges between $375 and $1,600. Replacement materials for an entire 10-foot by 10-foot square, or 100 square feet, generally range between $100 and $150. If you choose to hire someone to complete these repairs instead of doing it yourself, it will typically cost $45 to $65 per hour.
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Your Shingles Look Patchy
Roofing shingles are covered in something called granules. Its these granules that make your shingles water-resistant and protect your home from water damage. Over time, granules can wear away with age or exposure to bad weather.
The best way to recognize that your shingles are missing some granules is to take a peek at whats going on on your roof. If your shingles look patchy, then theres a pretty good chance that its time to replace them. You may also see some granules on the ground after making its way through your gutters.
How To Know You Have A Problem: 7 Signs Of A Damaged Roof
Becoming a homeowner is one of the greatest achievements of adulthood. You get your own space to design and decorate as you please, without having to worry about a landlord. But with that freedom, comes a lot of responsibility, namely, keeping your home in good shape.
Do you know what to look for if youre concerned about the integrity of your homes roof? Keeping your roof in good shape doesnt have to be a guessing game. Read on for some surefire signs of a damaged roof!
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Common Asphalt Roof Repair Cost Factors
Roof repairs are often at the top of a homeowners must do list when it comes to repairing a home. Heres the good news: most of the time, repairing asphalt shingles is relatively inexpensive.
To give you a better cost estimate of how much to fix shingles on a roof, consider some of these common damages to asphalt shingles and their fixes.
Home Fix: Problems With Loose Shingles
Q: I couldnt believe the recent high winds blew several shingles off my 10 year old roof. Is there something I can do myself or should I call a roofer.
A: If the roof is sloped low enough that you can safely walk on it, then you may be able to repair the loose shingles yourself. Do not attempt to work on a steep sloped roof without having proper safety ropes, scaffold or ladders. One slip on a steep roof and theres no stopping your slide to a certain fall. If the roof is safe to walk on, add a tarp or other covering to the exposed or damaged area until you have the time and the resources to make the repairs.
A common 3-in-1 shingle is 36 inches long with two cuts in the shingle called water marks. Architectural shingles are heavier and thicker with an extra strip of roofing on each shingle, but the repairs are the same. On the top side of each 36-inch shingle there is a self-sealing strip to seal the shingle to the backside of the shingle directly above it. The purpose of the strip is to seal the shingles against wind, rain and snow.
Slide the new or loose shingle in place and add four or more roofing nails, one above each watermark, and at each end of each shingle. Re-nail the existing top shingle if necessary, apply roofing sealant where needed and the repairs should be complete.
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Ignoring Your Shingle Roof Repair Needs Will Cost You Thousands
The thing with shingle roof leaks is that water could be penetrating into your home for months before you even notice. When the leak becomes visible, do not ignore it or try to diagnose the problem yourself. Ignoring shingle roof leaks because you dont want to pay for a repair is going to end up costing you a lot more in the future. When water sits in your attic space, it will allow wood to rot and mold to form. Overtime, the structural integrity of your roofing system can become compromised and you could also become very ill.
Loose Or Lifting Shingles
When you look at your roof, all the shingles should be smooth and flat in order to keep moisture out of your home. One surefire sign that your roof has some damage is loose or lifting shingles.
But how do you know if your shingles are loose or lifting? You might be able to see if from ground level if the shingles look like theyre hanging from a thread. Unfortunately, its not always that simple.
If youre comfortable climbing a ladder, you can routinely use it to get a better view of your roof. Check to make sure that all the shingles are uniform. If you notice that some shingles are starting to lift, then you should call a roofing company to come out and assess the roof.
Even if it is just a couple of lifting or loose shingles, it needs to be addressed immediately. Once a shingle starts to lift, its much easier for water to pool underneath it and cause water damage.
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Other Common Roof Repairs
If a roof leak goes undetected, it can lead to some pretty serious structural damage to your roofs framework. If you find that severe weather has taken a toll on your roof, the repairs can cost substantially more money than repairing the initial source of the leak. If you schedule regular roof inspections, you can catch a major problem before its too late.
How To Deal With Loose Roofing Granules
The granule layer is the outermost layer of typical asphalt shingles. Its the part that gives the shingles their features, such as color and reflectivity. More than a few homeowners are concerned about granules falling from their roofs, but is it really something about which you should worry?
Should You Be Worried?
Granules from asphalt shingles are made of crushed stone and minerals. Roofing manufacturers can produce granules of any color. Shingles with plain colors are typically made with one granule color while laminate shingles feature blends of two or more granule colors. As the roof ages, some of these granules come loose its not uncommon to find some of them in the rainwater runoff merely weeks after installation. For the most part, granule loss isnt something that you should be worried about as its part of normal roofing wear and tear.
That said, you may need to call for a roof repair contractor if youre finding a lot of these granules in the gutter runoff. Chances are you may also find a significant deposit of granules in the gutters. Losing granules at that rate can indicate premature wear and tear.
What You Can Do About Loose Granules
Ultimately, what you dont want to end up with is a roof thats stripped of its granules or what is commonly referred to as bald shingles. If the asphalt layer underneath the granules is exposed, the shingles become vulnerable to ultraviolet rays and other environmental factors.
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Final Cleanup After Your Shingle Replacement
Working with roof shingles can generate hazardous debris. Clean up well after your shingle replacement work. Pick up and bag all the shingle waste. Collect all the nails you can see then, use a magnetic sweeper to pick up any stray nails.
If you are replacing a large section of roof, you may find using a small rental dumpster is easier than bagging all your old shingles and hauling them to a landfill yourself.
One Break The Seal On The Target Shingle
The images below depict Sedona Dynasty with ArmourZone shingles.
- In the photo below, the target shingle is located.
- The first step obviously requires the removal of the nails holding that shingle to the roof deck. To access the nails, the shingle will need to be lifted, but it is likely bonded to the shingle below by the shingles asphalt sealant spots. Although this sealant bond is quite strong , it can be broken by sliding a flat pry bar carefully under the target shingles edge.
- This sealant separation is best done in cool weather, as the sealant bond will be more easily sheared by the pry bar when cool in hotter weather, the sealant will be more gooey and tenacious, and harder to separate cleanly.
A word of caution: In cooler weather, the shingles will be stiffer than in warmer weather. Exercise care to avoid distorting the shingles more than necessary.
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Cracked Roof Shingles Repair
If a shingle is simply cracked or torn, you don’t have to replace itjust repair it. Start by applying a thick bead of roofing sealant under the crack. Press the shingle down and apply a second bead of sealant on top of the crack. Then spread the sealant with a putty knife.
The best part of this fix is that no one has to know you made it. It’s easy to camouflage: Check the gutter for an accumulation of colored granules that have washed down the roof from the shingles. Then gather some into a small cup and sprinkle them over the sealant to mask the repair.
When Shingles Wear Out
Fiberglass and asphalt shingles are durable, water resistant, roofing materials. Under ideal conditions, some of the higher quality shingles may last 30 years, but that is optimistic. If your shingles have been up for 15 or more years, you might need to re-roof in the not-too-distant future especially if you live in a snowbelt or high heat area. In addition, shingles on mobile homes with low-slope roofs have a tendency to wear out earlier. On a roof with less pitch, the shingles are more exposed to sun, water and snow.
Itâs important to periodically examine your shingles for damage after you have removed all debris. Check them every spring and fall, and after a hailstorm or high winds. Promptly replace any cracked, curled-up, broken or missing shingles. If you donât, rain water could seep under the sheathing and leak into your sidewalls or ceiling.
Examine the roof up close from a ladder. Particularly check the roof ridge and valleys for cracked shingles, and the bottom and side rows for curled back or broken shingles.
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Fix Curled Roof Shingle Corners With Caulking
As asphalt shingles get older, their corners often begin to curl downward or upward. If you notice a shingle starting to curl, you can forestall the inevitable curling by gluing down the curled section.
Use a caulking gun to apply a dab of roofing sealant under the corner. Weigh it down with a brick leave the weight in place for at least 24 hours until the sealant dries. That’s all there is to it.
When Its Time For A New Roof
If your attempts to repair your roof arent enough, it may be time for a roof replacement. If you want to extend the life of your new roof, you can consider replacing it with a different type of roofing material. On average, these are the typical lifespans of different roofing material:
Asphalt shingle roofs: 10 to 25 years
Premium asphalt shingles: 25 to 50 years
Wood shingles and shakes: 20 to 30 years
Metal or steel roof: 50+ years
Slate, clay, or concrete tiles: 50 to 100 years
Of course, you will pay more for premium, long-lasting roofing materials. The initial cost may be high, but you get more value over the long run. If you plan on staying in your house for the next few decades or live in an area with hurricanes, tornados, or other extreme weather, talk with a roofing professional to find out if a premium material roof is the best choice.
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Damage Caused By Roof Leaks
Roof leaks can cause numerous problems in your home. If left untended for a long time, a roof leak may pose safety and health risks to yourself and your loved ones. If youre not in a rush to get your leaking roof fixed, reading up on the potential consequences of a leaking roof may just spring you into action.
Roof leaks can damage your home in the following ways:
Remove Your Old Roof In Mercer County Nj
There are several tell-tale signs that your old roof needs to be replaced. If you notice any of the following signs, do not hesitate to call Allabaugh Construction for roof replacements in Mercer County:
- Youve noticed water in your ceiling or water leaking into your residential or commercial property
- The roof is sagging, cracked, or water-stained
- Moss and mold are growing on the roofing material
- Mold is growing on the interior of your home or building
- Youve noticed a recent spike in your utility bills
- Shingles are cracked, peeling, or falling off
Many of these signs will be more apparent after storm damage. If you notice anything concerning, call Allabaugh Construction for roof repair from storm damage in NJ.
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