Roofers have a tough job. They work at heights, carrying heavy shingles and nailing them to the roof's surface. In addition to working hard, roofers are also very knowledgeable. They can recommend the best roofing material to fit your budget and preferences, and they can make repairs, as needed, to ensure your roof continues to keep your home safe. There's a lot to learn about roofing. We are not professionals, but we consider ourselves to be well-informed, and we share the information we know on this website. As you read, you will learn more about roofing as a profession, and you may also pick up some roofing tips you can use on your own home.
Roof damage does not always mean you have to replace the roof on your home. Repairing the roof is possible in some cases, and having a roofer look at the damage that you have can help you determine whether you really need a new roof or not.
Loose or Missing Shingles
Often people see loose shingles on the roof of their home and assume it is time to replace the entire roof. That is not always the case. Sometimes the shingles that have come loose are limited to a small area of the roof, and you can hire a roofing repair service to come and replace the singles that need it without touching the ones that are still in good shape.
Shingles can loosen for several reasons, but if the damage only involves a few shingles, the roofing repair service can slide new shingles up under the good shingles and patch the loose section. Depending on the age of the roof, patching in a section of shingles to repair the damage is not uncommon, and it can be a very cost-effective way to fix loose or missing shingles on your roof.
Roof Leaks
Many times a leak in the roof of your home does not mean the entire roof needs replacing. Often leaks develop around the area where the roof meets a chimney or dormer. Metal flashing and roofing cement are commonly used around these areas to seal the roof so that water runs off and doesn't get into the home. Over time, the cement can dry out, the flashing can get bent, and a gap can open that allows some water to get in. The solution is to replace the flashing and reseal the roof with new roofing cement.
If the leak is in an area that does not have flashing or anything protruding through the roof, the contractor will need to evaluate the leak. If there is any damage to the underlayment from water getting under the roofing material, a new roof could be necessary. However, if the underlayment is still okay, the roofer can often replace any shingles in the area and close up the leak for you.
Drip Edge Replacement
The drip edge that runs around the edge of the roof is lightweight aluminum, and damage can occur to the drip edge if a ladder is put against it or if something impacts the metal edge. If you have damage on the drip edge of the roof, a roofing contractor can come and replace the section for you.
Leaving a dent in the drip edge may seem trivial, but if the shingles are raised because of the dent, water and wind can get under the shingles and cause more damage that will cost more to repair.
Contact a roofer in your area for more information on roof repair.