The most common problems with shingle roofs can be attributed to failure from old age and weathering. Physical damage may be caused by powerful wind, hail, or physical impact on the roofing surface by wind-driven tree branches or other objects.
How do you fix the most common roof problems? It is first essential to identify any specific problems and note the warning signs of a failing shingle roof, and then plan and effect all necessary repairs.
The Roof Leaks!
It should be no surprise to anyone that if your roof has major leaks, they must be addressed immediately to avoid interior damage to the home and contents. Minor leaks or seeps are often more difficult to find. The careful tracing of stains that are caused by even a small leak is essential to determine the exact source. Inspection of the underside of the roof is therefore elemental in discovering the cause and source of small leaks that may in fact occur much further up the slope of the roof.
Stained, Decayed Roof Sheeting:
Look for water staining, the direction taken of stains and and darkening on the underside of roof sheeting. Dark discoloration suggests the roof has been leaking for a long period of time and may also indicate a state of decay. Check darkened areas by testing the wood with a pen knife, screw driver or a nail.
After tracing leaks to the source, apply the following solutions for each of the following problems: If decayed, rotten sheeting is discovered, it is essential that it be replaced, which, in the extreme, may suggest a complete roof replacement.
Curled shingles:
If your roof displays curled shingles, the roof needs serious attention. Curling shingles are a sign of age and heat stress. Heat build-up in attics because of a lack of adequate ventilation is a major cause of shingle failure. The asphalt softens and at times may run off. Curled, brittle tabs will break off, exposing the felted asphalt surface, nails and shingle layers beneath.
Secure shingle tabs back in place with waterproof roofing cement if the shingle is not brittle and deterioration is not too extensive.
If tabs break off when attempting to cement them down, do replace the complete shingle. Lift the shingles above with a thin pry tool, carefully remove the nails, fill nail holes with roofing cement, and install a new shingle in it’s place.
Broken or Missing Shingles:
If shingles are broken off or missing completely, revealing exposed roofing nails, they need to be replaced. Shingles are often broken by flying debris or torn away completely by powerful wind. Replace missing shingles by removing all nails, filling nail holes with roofing cement, and installing new shingles. Lift the adjacent shingles with a thin pry tool to avoid breakage, and remove the nails. Remove broken shingle remnants, fill nail holes and replace the shingles. Cement all tabs firmly back in place with roofing cement.
Separated flashing
Flashing around chimneys, vents, or along vertical walls on complex roofs may separate from constant expansion and contraction. Re-attach all flashing and re-nail if the nails are popped or loose. Seal the edges securely with roofing cement.
Failed Metal flashing:
Metal flashing may be damaged by ice buildup, flying debris or perforated by rust. Flashing in roof valleys may crack from metal fatigue caused by continuous expansion and contracting.
Reattach flashing and caulk carefully. To replace flashing completely, lift adjacent shingles carefully in order to avoid breaking them. Minor holes or small cracks may be temporarily sealed with roofing cement. *Note: Because flashing is a high-stress roofing component, application of cement and sealants is a temporary repair at best. Defective flashing should ideally be replaced as soon as possible.
Inadequate Wall Flashing
If leakage is occurring along the roof at vertical walls, carefully check the condition of the flashing on the vertical wall to ensure it is tight. Roof-to-wall flashing may also not be high enough to avoid problems with a build-up of snow and ice, resulting in water backup under adjacent siding. The ideal solution is to install higher flashing, but a temporary fix can involve the careful sealing of flashing with caulking or roofing cement. Flashing may also be cracked at the sharp bend; inspect it carefully and replace the flashing if it is cracked or broken. Lift the shingles on the roof carefully and install new flashing, taking care that it is installed correctly under the adjacent wall siding and correctly sealed.
Stains on the inside of Exterior walls
Interior walls may display water staining if water is backing up from the roof edge. Ice dams may be forming under some conditions, or the roof edge itself may be deteriorating. Inspect roof sheeting at the drip edges for failure by lifting the shingles at the roof edge carefully. Check for discoloration and decay of the wood roof sheeting along the edges as above.
Deterioration of sheeting along the drip edge suggests ice dams have been repeatedly occurring, backing water up under the shingles. Water may also be entering further up the roof. Trace the leaks from the underside of the roof as previously discussed.
If seriously deteriorated roof sheeting is discovered along the roof edge, it must be replaced to ensure secure installation of new shingles or other roofing. To do otherwise is merely inviting additional problems in the future.
Persistent Roof-edge Ice Dams
For build-up of ice and persistent roof-edge ice dam leaks, install better ventilation at the eaves and in the attic space. Install a heat tracing cable at the edge of the roof and eaves troughs which will melt ice, prevent future ice buildup, and ensure correct water drainage.
What is that Granular Material in the Eaves Troughs?
Ominous piles of gravel-like granular materials in eaves troughs indicate that shingles are weathering rapidly. Granular materials on shingles protects the shingles from UV rays of the sun, provide weight for the shingle and ultimately offer protection against weather and wind. Serious loss of granular material from the surface of the shingle eventually exposes the felt-like asphalt surface to serious wind damage and ultimate failure.
Apply roofing cement liberally to individual tabs that no longer have granular on them, or replace individual shingles as above. If the majority of shingles are affected, install a temporary repair such as roll roofing or a waterproof membrane if necessary, and plan for a new roof.
Eaves Trough Failure
If eaves troughs and down-pipes are leaking, broken, or loose, reattach, repair and caulk them as required. with high quality caulking. Ensure the fascia boards are solid and in good condition prior to doing so. Worthy of note, leaking eaves troughs never repair themselves in spite of wishful thinking or the difficulty in repairing them. If they are corroded and perforated, replace them entirely. Consider replacing failed steel systems with plastic or aluminum alternative eaves troughs for a longer-term solution.
Additional Notes:
Inspecting the Roof Yourself?
*Use caution and care. DO use binoculars to inspect the roof carefully from the ground if at all possible. If you find you must climb a ladder and inspect the roof yourself, make sure you have an adult assistant available. Avoid climbing on a roof alone. Avoid stepping on curled shingles, particularly in colder weather. Avoid breaking off shingle tabs when lifting them for inspection.
To come to a satisfactory conclusion at the time of inspection, and to make a reasonably qualified decision about the condition of your roof, follow these guidelines:
If these conditions exist:
• Flashing is rusted away
• Flashing is damaged, perforated, cracked or separated
• Roof deck sheeting is rotten, loose, or otherwise seriously deteriorated
• Roof edging is broken away
• Shingles are curled up and/or bubbled
• Granular material is gone from the surface of the shingles
• If shingles look like felt or paper
• Loose shingles are everywhere
• Shingles are brittle and break when touched, lifted, or walked upon
• Shingles already have many broken or missing tabs
• Whole shingles are missing
• Roofing nails are exposed and/or raised.
–A complete replacement shingle roof will be necessary. A shingle roof displaying these conditions is at the end of it’s expected life and no longer offers reliable protection for your home and it’s contents. If all or any of these conditions are observed, do plan for the replacement of the failed roof as soon as possible.
*CAUTION!* A fall from a roof can be fatal! Worthy of repeating: Inspect the roof carefully from the ground if possible, and always have a second person on site. Secure ladders correctly. Stay off of the roof if it is windy or wet weather. Work safely!
Most common roof problems can be addressed by the careful home owner with these tips and moderate do-it-yourself skill levels. You can do it!
