Homeowners may give their roof little thought daily, but they should watch for signs that it is time to call for repairs. These include water damage upstairs or in an attic, a sagging roof, and damaged shingles. Roofing Columbus GA will look for rotting vent booting and ensure the attic is well-ventilated to prevent future leaks.
Shingles are a popular roofing material choice that provides good value for the money and protects your home from more severe roof problems, such as leaks. They also offer a wide selection of styles and colors, as well as energy efficiency. They are prone to some common issues, though, including curling and buckling. Both of these problems can be caused by a variety of different factors, including poor quality materials or just normal wear and tear.
During the residential roofing repair process, your contractor will walk the entire surface of your roof to determine whether it needs to be replaced or just repaired. They will also check the flashing and seals to ensure they are working properly, which is critical for protecting your home from leaks. They will look for any rotted or soft wood and will replace it as needed.
The most important step of the repair process is protecting your property from damage. Your contractor will cover your siding, plants and bushes with protection plywood or tarps before beginning work. They will also remove any shingles that need to be replaced and inspect the wood sheathing underneath.
Once the shingle is removed, they will install a new shingle over it. They will use a sealant to make sure the shingle is secure and water-tight. They will also replace any rotted or soft wood and apply a vapor barrier to the sheathing to help keep moisture from entering the house.
Leaks don’t always enter at the shingled surface, however. Often, they come in through old or cracked caulk around windows and between corner boards and siding. They can also dribble down between dormer walls and seep into the roof.
If you find a spot of water staining in your ceiling or wall, it’s likely a sign that the roof is leaking from a damaged or poorly sealed area. You can fix this by using a caulking gun to put a thick bead of roofing sealant under the crack and weighing it down with a brick until it dries.
Flashing
Roofing professionals install roof flashing around areas of the home that are particularly vulnerable to leaks and moisture. Examples of such areas include valleys (the internal angle formed by the meeting of two sloping roof planes), ridges, chimney walls, dormers and skylights. Flashing is a thin sheet of impervious material that prevents water from entering walls and roofs through seams and joints. It also helps prevent moisture from gathering in wall cavities and causing structural damage. Flashing can be made of a variety of materials, depending on the application.
Generally, flashing is made of a durable metal such as aluminum or galvanized steel. These materials resist corrosive agents, such as salt and acid rain, and are compatible with most types of roofing materials. Flashing can also be made of copper, which is more expensive than aluminum or galvanized steel but is very long-lasting and rust resistant.
In addition to being made of a durable and weather-resistant material, flashing is designed to be flexible. As a result, it can accommodate the varying degrees of expansion and contraction caused by seasonal changes in weather patterns. If the flashing is not flexible enough, it will eventually deteriorate and become less effective at protecting the structure of the roof from moisture damage.
Leaking is the most obvious sign that flashing needs to be replaced, but other signs include visible dents and corrosion or rust. If these problems are spotted, it is important to find a qualified roofer who can perform the repairs and replace the flashing.
It is a good idea to look for a roofing professional with experience installing roof flashing, and who uses quality products that are compatible with the existing roofing system. In addition, a professional roofer should have a valid license and insurance coverage. Choosing the right roofing professional can save you time and money in the long run, as well as help you avoid costly repairs in the future. The best way to find a reliable roofing professional is by asking friends and neighbors for recommendations and researching them online. After narrowing down the list of potential contractors, it is a good idea to visit their previous job sites and discuss prices and services with each one.
Gutters
Gutters are channels or troughs installed along the edge of the roof to collect and channel surface runoff from rain, snow and other precipitation. They direct water into vertical sectionals called downspouts that drain the excess water away from the house. This prevents foundation damage, basement flooding, rot and other problems associated with overflowing gutters.
An efficient drainage system is critical to the long-term health of your home or commercial building. A clogged or inefficient gutter system can cause foundation damage, soil erosion, flooded basements, muddy landscaping areas and mildew and mold growth. These problems can not only damage your property’s value but also your health and comfort.
Your roofing system depends on a properly functioning gutter system for protection. Gutters safely manage storm water to prevent overflow, puddles and flooding as well as protect landscaping, siding, basements, walls, foundations and other structural components.
Gutter problems are often overlooked until they become visible or cause water-related damage to the property. Typical signs of gutter problems include sagging, leaking, missing, cracked or dented sections, standing water on the roof, downspouts overflowing and clogging.
Having the proper gutters in place at the time of construction is an important part of the overall roofing system. Many homeowners don’t realize that a poorly constructed or planned gutter system can be just as damaging as the roof itself. For instance, the installer may have failed to pitch the gutters correctly or cited the downspouts too close to the house. This can cause overflowing gutters, basement flooding and rot in the fascia board or wood members beneath the gutters.
If your gutters are showing signs of aging, it’s time to consider upgrading or replacing them. Whether you have aluminum, vinyl or copper gutters, you’ll want to invest in high-quality metal that resists corrosion and rust. You’ll also need to make sure your gutters are properly installed and secured to avoid sagging, leaking or falling off of the house.
If your gutters are damaged or not working properly, it’s time to call an experienced roofing professional for a thorough inspection and estimate. A good roofing company can reseal the seams and reinstall gutter guards to help keep debris from clogging and overflowing your gutters.
Soffit
Unless you’re an experienced homeowner, chances are you don’t have much experience with the terms “soffit” and “fascia.” But if you’re like many people who aren’t sure what these structures do or how they function, you should know that they play a vital role in protecting your home.
In addition to keeping moisture, rodents and insects away from the rafters and sheathing of your roof, the soffit helps ensure that your attic is well ventilated. That’s important because a poorly ventilated attic can cause mold and mildew, overheating and even ice damming in the winter. The soffit also protects the wood of your roof sheathing and rafters from water damage, as it covers the exposed eaves, which can become rotten and damaged if they’re not covered.
As a general rule, homeowners should have their soffit and fascia inspected on a regular basis by a professional to make sure they’re in good condition and functioning properly. If a soffit is damaged, the professional will inspect it for water damage and other issues that might require repair or replacement. They may also recommend adding protective measures to keep water and pests out of your attic and shingles.
Soffit repair and replacement is typically charged per square foot. That includes labor and materials as well as removal and disposal of the old soffit. The professional will also paint and seal the soffit and fascia to prevent future problems and to give your home a finished look.
The best material for fascia boards is vinyl because it minimizes degradation from heat and moisture exposure and is highly energy efficient. Vinyl also comes in a variety of colors, finishes and wood grain options to complement any home’s décor. Wood fascia boards can be prone to rot and need regular maintenance to prevent mildew, insect infestation and ice damming. When in doubt about the type of material you should choose for your soffit and fascia, consult with a professional. They’ll help you find the best options for your unique situation and budget.
