How To Know When The Roof On Your Home Needs Repair
The selection of roofing for your home is essential, and while most residential properties use shingle roofing because of the durability and longevity, it is crucial that you pick the roofing for your home carefully. In some cases, the shingles on your roof can start to show damage, and whether they need repair or replacement, it is critical that you not let the roof repair go unattended.
Shingles and Damage
Shingle roofs are rated for 15 to 30 years in most situations, but some circumstances can affect the shingles' wear. Weather is a significant factor in how the shingles wear, and if the shingles are not in good shape, the issue can be magnified. Water under the singles can freeze and damage the roof and loosen the shingles around the damaged area, causing it to spread.
If you notice shingle roofing rolling up at the edges or loose shingles, it is vital to have a professional roofer come and inspect the shingles and the material under them for damage. Repairs are easy to make to shingle roofs if it is done right away, but if the damage is not dealt with, you could end up having to replace the entire roof on your home.
New Shingle Roofing
Installing new shingle roofing on your home starts with removing the old shingles in most cases. There are situations when a roofer may install new shingle roofing over the existing roof, but only if there is a single layer of shingles on the roof and the additional material is deemed necessary to ensure the roof does not leak.
Typically the roofing material is stripped off down to the wood sub roofing. The wood is inspected for damage and repairs made, and then the entire roof is covered in a felt paper vapor barrier. The new shingle roofing is installed on top of the felt paper in a pattern that staggers the seams and breaks in the shingles to allow water to run off the roof without getting under the shingles.
Most roofers will also install an aluminum drip edge on the bottom edge of shingle roofs to help keep the water out from under the first row of shingles. If you live in an area like the northeast, the drip edge maybe twelve to eighteen inches wide so that ice and snow can slide off the roof without backing up under the shingle roofing. In areas with extreme weather, the drip edge can save a roof from damage in the middle of the winter, but talk to your roofing contractor to determine if you need it on your house.
