As we head into the final months of summer, it’s time to start getting your roof ready for winter. Your roof is an important part of your home, and its condition can affect the comfort and safety of your family and friends. If you notice a problem with your shingles or other components of your roof, here are some tips on how to repair them:
How to Identify Shingle Damage
Identifying shingle damage can be tricky. Here are a few things to look for that may indicate repairs are needed in the future:
- Attic leaks– If you notice water stains on your ceiling, this may be because of deteriorating shingles allowing water to leak into the attic.
- Ceiling and wall stains – Similar to attic leaks, water stains on ceilings and walls likely means damage caused by rainwater leaking through your gutters or flashing. Don’t wait too long to inspect nearby shingles!
- Blistering or peeling paint – Shingles exposed to high winds and extreme weather can start to blister and peel away from the sheathing beneath it. This is usually an indication there’s something wrong with your roof structure—not just a surface-level problem with shingles. If you have this problem, it may be time for a full re-roofing instead of just repairing one damaged slate tile.
Why It’s Important to Fix Damaged Shingles
If you have damaged or missing shingles and want to avoid future issues, it’s important to repair the problem quickly. First and foremost, your roof protects your home from water damage. Gaps or holes in shingles can let rain and moisture inside, resulting in damage to floors and walls below.
Another benefit of repairing broken or damaged shingles is that it protects your roof from further damage. A few damaged shingles may not seem like a big deal at first glance, but if left unattended, the problem could become worse over time. Anytime moisture gets in contact with wood siding or sheathing underneath shingles, mildew will inevitably form on—and around—these surfaces.
Replacing Damaged Shingles
It’s best to remove damaged shingle at a cool temperature—either in the early mornings or late summer months. Don’t try to remove shingles when it’s too hot outside or the roof is in direct sunlight, as this will make it difficult for you to loosen adhesive and nails holding your shingles in place. You can also apply a coolant spray if it’s too hot outside to loosen up these materials more easily.
Make sure to loosen adhesive and nails holding down your existing shingles before removing them completely from their attachment points. This will keep you from accidentally damaging other parts of your roof while removing them.
Once you have the correct roofing materials for shingle repairs, you can begin repairing the broken area by installing new shingles in the same pattern as those around them. After finishing this step, seal under edges using roofing cement. This will help keep water out of any remaining cracks in your home. Finally, fix any nearby cracked or split shingles before moving on from here.
If you suspect your home has shingle damage, it’s best to fix them as soon as possible. Damaged shingles can lead to other problems with your roof—like rot and leaks. If you need help identifying the problem or fixing it, call the experts at Herbert Roofing today.
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