CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.
Roofing Repairs: When to Call in a Pro
Should You or Shouldn’t You Repair Your Own Roof?
Your roof is a vital part of your home. Like other parts of your home, it requires maintenance and occasional repairs to keep it in the best possible shape. Of course, the roof is also an expensive part of your home. If you’re like many homeowners, you look for opportunities to do some of your own home repairs and maintenance when you can in order to save money. But what should a homeowner do when it comes to roofing maintenance and repair? Many roofing projects are complicated or dangerous and should be left to professionals, not tackled by homeowners. Take a look at what you need to know about when you can do a DIY roofing project and when you should leave it to the pros.
DIY: Visually Inspect for Missing Shingles or Damage
During high winds or heavy storms, your roof may sustain damage that’s not necessarily noticeable from inside the house. After the storm clears and the sun comes out, take some time to walk around the outside of the house and look for signs of damage. A pair of binoculars can be useful for this task. Look for spots on the roof where shingles are missing, cracked, or curling up at the sides. You may also notice missing granule, nails, or roof bolts or peeling flashing.
Don’t climb up on the roof to get a closer look. Climbing onto a roof can be dangerous at the best of times. After a storm – especially when there’s damage that you can see from the ground – there may be even more hazards, like pooling water or wet, mushy spots in the roof. You could get hurt or cause more damage to the roof. Stick to a visual inspection. If you see signs that the roof has been damaged, call a roofing service for a closer inspection.
Leave it to the Pros: Replacing Lost Shingles
Replacing missing or damaged shingles is not a do-it-yourself task. It requires skill and safety precautions. What’s more, if you have missing shingles, you may also have other problems that need to be fixed. Your roof hardware might need to be tightened or flashing might need to be repaired or replaced. Professional roofers not only know how to safely replace your shingles, but they also know what to look for that might signal additional problems. Hiring professional roofers to handle seemingly small repairs could prevent you from having to pay for larger repairs later.
DIY: Look for Leaks
Many signs of a roof problem show up within the home. When your roof is leaking, you’re likely to end up with water inside the home somewhere. You may find water stains on the ceiling, bulging or mushy patches on interior walls, or musty odors in one or more rooms. You may also notice unsightly spots on exterior walls.
Finding water means that you’ve found evidence of a leak, but not necessarily that you’ve found the source of the leak. Water doesn’t always leak straight down from above. Water can travel along beams or pipes and wind up pooling and leaking far from where the original leak occurred in the roof. When you find evidence of a leak, that’s a sign to call a roofer for an inspection. They’ll be able to trace the water back to the source of the leak to find the spot on the roof that needs to be fixed.
Leave it to the Pros: Roof Replacement
If it’s time for a new roof, then you definitely want to work with a professional roofing contractor to determine what kind of roof will best suit your needs and make sure that it’s installed professionally. Installing a roof is not the kind of job that can be done by a determined homeowner over a weekend, no matter how good your DIY skills are. A new roof is a big investment that will last a few decades. Your best bet is to hire a professional roofing company that will do the work correctly and provide you with a warranty.
DIY: Keep Your Gutters Clean
The purpose of a gutter system is to divert the water away from your house. When your gutters become clogged, the water can pool in the gutter system, which can cause water damage to the roof. When water and other debris collect in the gutters, they can also become heavy and pull on the roof, which can cause even more damage.
Cleaning the gutters is a project that can often be tackled by homeowners who are able and interested in home DIY projects. Gutters should be cleaned before and after the rainy season (so in May and October) for the best results, but you should also keep an eye out for signs that water isn’t flowing freely through your gutters and do additional cleaning as needed.
Call a Pro When You Notice these Signs
There Is Granule Loss and Missing Shingles On Your Roof
Shingles are not just cosmetic; they help create a watertight and wind-resistant seal that protects the rest of the roof from damage. If you can see small piles of black or gray granules in your gutters or collected in your downspouts, it’s a sign your roof’s shingles have failed. The same goes if you spot some missing shingles or even a shingle’s broken loose and tumbled onto your lawn.
Your Roof Has Shingle Pops
Shingles that appear to rise above the flat surface of the rest of the roof can indicate impact damage from hail, but they may also indicate inadequate attic ventilation. If attic temperatures rise above 120 degrees Fahrenheit, shingles can blister or pop. A qualified contractor will also check out your attic for airflow and tell you what caused your shingle damage.
Your Roof Has Water Stains and Leaks
If you can spot obvious water stains and leaks, both on the roof itself and anywhere the roof would spill onto (like in your attic), call a pro. Signs of water stains indicate a leaky roof, which can lead to some serious damage. You should also pay attention to any water that pools up in unusual locations during or after a storm.
You See Loose or Worn Flashing
If you notice cracked, loose, or worn flashing or gaskets around your vent stacks and chimneys, it’s likely indicative of a larger issue. Any point where roof shingles meet a protrusion has a higher likelihood of failure. Improperly applied or failed caulking or flashing can cause roof leaks and suggests that the roof may have been improperly installed in the first place.
Your Roof Has Unusual Post-Storm Debris
Severe thunderstorms, snowstorms, and other weather events can have a severe impact on your roof. It’s common for storms to dislodge shingles, knock tree limbs onto the roof, and create all manner of debris. If you just experienced a major storm, do a thorough roof inspection and be on the lookout for damage and debris. If you see anything strange, call a professional. A small problem is always easier to address before it transforms into a larger issue down the road.
Algae, Mold, and Moss Are Growing on Your Roof
roof fungus removal
If your roof is growing algae, mold, or moss, you may need professional remediation or, in severe outbreaks, a full roof replacement. Algae and mold thrive in cracks and corners after the wind brings errant spores to your roof. If left unchecked, algae and mold create stains and cause leaks. Moss can deteriorate the structural integrity of your roof, as the roots break down the materials used during construction. A pro can usually solve a mild outbreak with certain chemicals, but if your entire roof is moss-covered it may need a full replacement.
Your Roof Is Sagging
If any part of your roof is sagging, it is likely indicative of moderate-to-severe structural damage. Look for dips in the roof’s plane or bowing in the roofline. If you notice sagging, call your preferred technician immediately; this likely means roof damage extends all the way down to the decking.
You Have an Old Roof
You may not notice any obvious issues, but an older roof should receive more maintenance checks and inspections than a newer roof. Along with the conditions listed above, knowing your roof’s age is critical for determining whether or not you should invest in repairs or a roof replacement. Most roofs last about 25 years, depending on the material. So if your roof is approaching its 20th birthday, keep a close eye on its condition.
Visually inspecting your home for signs of roofing damage after a storm is helpful, but it’s not a replacement for an annual roof inspection by a roofing professional. During a roof inspection, the inspector looks for signs of trouble that homeowners might miss, or that might not be visible from the ground.
Regular roof inspections are an important part of good roof maintenance. They may also be required by your home insurance company. If you need to make a claim at some point, your insurer will want to see that you’ve been doing the necessary tasks to maintain the roof, including regular inspections. If you have a new roof installed, failing to have regular inspections and routine maintenance done may also void your warranty, so keeping up with your regular roof inspections is important for that reason as well.
Knowing when you can handle a project yourself and when to bring in the professionals is an important aspect of maintaining a well-cared for home. When it comes to your roof, if you have any doubts, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and leave it to the Pros!
CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
Replacing missing or damaged shingles is not a do-it-yourself task. It requires skill and safety precautions. What’s more, if you have missing shingles, you may also have other problems that need to be fixed. Your roof hardware might need to be tightened or flashing might need to be repaired or replaced. Professional roofers not only know how to safely replace your shingles, but they also know what to look for that might signal additional problems. Hiring professional roofers to handle seemingly small repairs could prevent you from having to pay for larger repairs later.
hingles that appear to rise above the flat surface of the rest of the roof can indicate impact damage from hail, but they may also indicate inadequate attic ventilation. If attic temperatures rise above 120 degrees Fahrenheit, shingles can blister or pop. A qualified contractor will also check out your attic for airflow and tell you what caused your shingle damage.
If you notice cracked, loose, or worn flashing or gaskets around your vent stacks and chimneys, it’s likely indicative of a larger issue. Any point where roof shingles meet a protrusion has a higher likelihood of failure. Improperly applied or failed caulking or flashing can cause roof leaks and suggests that the roof may have been improperly installed in the first place.