The roof is an integral part of any house. But just like any other part of your house, the roof is also susceptible to damages and leaks. Major leaks and damages can be repaired with the help of a professional roofer, but you can take care of the minor defects all by yourself. Here are 10 quick tips about roof repair:
1) Think of safety first
Trying to locate a leak as soon as it happens can land you in a hospital. Going up on a roof that is fully covered with snow is not the best way to find a leak. In fact, you should avoid doing the same while it is raining. When you try to temporarily mend a leak, it can prove to be very dangerous. There is no known quick-fix solution to any roofing problem. Take your time, be patient and wait for the perfect weather to do the fixing.
2) Take necessary precautions
Working on a rooftop will force you to take positions that are either uncomfortable or not safe. Just slip into a pair of rubber-soled shoes as it prevents you from
roofing parts names. Take the help of a harness and your friend for extra precaution.
3) Spray the roof
Take the garden hose in your hands and go on the roof and begin spraying in various locations across the roof to locate the leak. However, this policy is good in summers only and do not ever think of doing it during wintertime as it is never safe to spray water on the roof in freezing temperatures.
4) Keep the gutters clean
The most common cause of a roof leak is the clogged gutter. A clogged gutter will always cause buildup of water whenever there is a reasonable amount of rainfall.
5) Avoid dry rot
This problem is not exactly related to water damage but mainly due to shortage of ventilation. If the repair is right at the center of the roof then it is most likely due to deterioration of the plywood. If it is so, then the roof will begin to sag and the shingles will begin to become brittle, cracked and will eventually start to leak. If you hope to prevent dry rot then you need to install a ridge vent. However, this ridge vent will only function when a soffit vent is installed.
6) Prevent the buildup of ice
During winter, ice can easily build up under the gutters, shingles and the roof membrane. The ice generally builds back up right at the point in the line of the wall where the house is heated thereby creating an interior drip. To take care of this problem, you need to install a drip ridge along with ice and rain shields and proper ventilation.