Corpus Christi Roofing CO can be costly. It’s important to shop around and choose a roofing company with great customer reviews. Also, try to schedule your repairs in the offseason to lower labor costs.
Examine your roof on a regular basis, looking for damp stains or any other signs of water penetration. If you notice anything that’s amiss, get in touch with a roofing professional right away.
If shingles are broken, missing or damaged, they need to be fixed immediately. They’re your roof’s main defense against nasty weather, and any gaping hole in that defense needs to be plugged right away. Ignoring it will likely result in more expensive repair work down the line, not to mention putting your home at risk of water damage.
Start by inspecting your roof—both from the ground and inside your attic if your home has one. Look for loose shingles, shingle blisters (which are a lot like bruises) or a lack of granules along the edges of a shingle, which is a sign that the underlayment is exposed.
If you spot a cracked or torn shingle, you can try to patch it with some roof sealant. A thick bead of the stuff is easy to apply and will help keep rain and snow from seeping through the crack.
Wood shingles, shakes and slate are much more durable than asphalt shingles, but they can still develop cracks or breaks from stormy weather. If a shingle is completely broken, it’s best to replace it with a new shingle that closely matches the color and style of the existing ones.
Tile roofs require a different approach, because they’re more vulnerable to the damage that results from walking on the surface. It’s generally best to leave tile repairs to professionals who can navigate the tiles without inflicting further damage.
To repair a broken shingle, first find the nail that holds it in place. You may have to slide a pry bar underneath the shingle and pry upward, until the nail pops up about 1/4 inch above the shingle. Next, slide the pry bar under the shingle above it and remove the second row of nails. Once the nails are removed, pull out the damaged shingle. If the shingle has developed a concave center, also known as cupping, it’s time to replace it. This type of damage is typically caused by aging or heat exposure from a poorly ventilated attic, and it will allow water to pool in the center of the shingle instead of sliding off the roof.
Fascia
The fascia is a long wooden board that runs along the edge of your roof. It connects your gutter system to the roof trusses and protects the edges of your eaves from moisture damage. Many homes have a fascia cover that’s either vinyl or aluminum to match the color of their gutter system. The soffit is a board that sits under the fascia to vent the attic space. Most soffits are constructed of wood, although some are vinyl or metal. The fascia and soffit are vital parts of the roofing structure that protect your home from water damage, so it’s important to inspect these components on a regular basis.
Fascia boards can be damaged by a variety of factors, including weather and animal activity. If you notice cracking or bowing of the fascia, it’s a good idea to have these boards replaced before they start to detract from the look of your home.
In some cases, you may need to have the entire fascia board replaced. Often, the fascia is covered with a fascia trim that’s made of aluminum or vinyl to prevent moisture from reaching the fascia board and causing rot. The fascia trim is also designed to be aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
If you’re replacing the fascia, it’s a great idea to paint your new boards to protect them from moisture and sun damage in the future. It’s best to have a professional paint your eaves because they have the experience and tools necessary to get the job done right.
Safety glasses are a must for any project that requires working on the roof. Old fascia boards typically come off in pieces, resulting in splinters that could injure you. Safety glasses will prevent splinters from entering your eyes while you’re working on the roof.
When repairing the fascia, it’s important to dig out and remove any soft wood from around each section that needs to be repaired. You’ll then need to apply a wood filler and allow it to dry completely. Once it’s dried, you can re-install the drip edge and gutters.
Flashing
Many building components go unnoticed, but flashing is one of them. Without it, roof leaks would be far more common. It protects the walls of a house from water that enters through the gaps between the roof and other structures like chimneys, skylights, vents, and windows.
Flashing is a strip of water-resistant metal bent into shape and installed at areas where roof leaks are most likely to occur. These include low points where two slopes meet (called valleys), roof intersections or projections, and areas around pipes, vents, and other fixtures. Flashing is typically made from galvanized steel, which is highly resistant to corrosion and moisture.
There are several different types of flashing, each with its own purpose. Step flashing is a series of pieces that overlap each other, and it’s often used at the junction of a wall and a sloping roof. Continuous flashing is a single strip of metal that runs the length of the joint being waterproofed, and it’s usually used where dormers or other protrusions intersect with the roof. Drip edge flashing is a long strip of metal that’s fitted around a gutter to prevent water from seeping into the wall, and it’s also used along the edges of the roof where it meets the fascia.
If you notice that your flashing is damaged, there are some simple ways to fix it. For small holes or cracks, you can use flashing tape to create a temporary seal. Just make sure to thoroughly clean the area before applying the tape, and press firmly so it adheres tightly. This is a good option if you are worried about the integrity of your roof and haven’t yet had time to call in a professional roofing contractor for a more extensive repair job.
For major damage or a complete loss of flashing, it’s best to call in a roofer for replacement. It can be difficult to expose the damaged flashing without removing shingles, and a skilled roofer will be able to recognize whether there’s additional water damage to address as well. They’ll know how to remove shingles and other materials to get to the damaged flashing, and they’ll be able to install new flashing properly for maximum protection.
Underlayment
A roof’s underlayment is the layer of material that lies beneath the visible surface. It is often overlooked, but it plays a vital role in protecting your home from the elements and allowing your roofing materials to last their full lifespans. It also helps to prevent water leaks and can even improve your home’s energy efficiency. Underlayment comes in various types, weights and installation styles, and it is typically replaced when a roof is replaced or repaired.
Your underlayment can be made from a number of materials, including felt, synthetic or rubberized asphalt. Felt underlayment is the oldest and most common, and it is usually a paper-like organic material covered in asphalt. It is available in a variety of thicknesses, but 30 pound ASTM rated felt is the best for tile roofs.
Synthetic underlayment is a newer technology that uses polypropylene to create a waterproof barrier between your roof deck and the underlying materials. It is generally lighter and more cost-effective than felt, but it can be less durable in some cases. It is also available in a wide range of colors and patterns, making it easier to match with your roof color and style.
Rubberized underlayment uses rubber and asphalt polymers to add extra waterproofing. This type of underlayment is often used in valleys, around penetrations and other areas where water damage can occur. It can be more expensive than other underlayments, but it is highly water-resistant and easy to install.
Many reputable brands make roof underlayment, and some are specifically designed for certain materials or climates. For example, CertainTeed’s RoofRunner underlayment is designed for asphalt shingles and some manufacturers such as Sharkskin and Firestone’s CLAD-GARD are made to work with metal roofs.
Taking care of your roof underlayment will help to protect your home from moisture and ice, which can lead to wood rot, mold growth and other problems. It is also important to inspect the underlayment regularly for signs of damage – squishy spots or musty odors are all red flags that it may be time to replace it.