Owning a home is a sound investment, but if you let little things go, they can develop into major problems that can cost you thousands of dollars and put your family at serious risk. While it’s easy to notice problems inside your house, the ones on your roof are just as crucial.
Missing and damaged shingles can quickly lead to leaks in your roof, and it doesn’t take much water to cause problems such as mold and rot in the support beams of your home. Even a single missing shingle can lead to a roof leak that can compromise your entire home’s integrity.
So how long does a shingle roof last? It will depend on what your shingles are made of, the weather in your area, and how well you keep up with regular roof repair and maintenance. The best way to protect your investment is with regular roof inspections, preferably with the help of an experienced roofer. Fortunately, roof shingles repair is an inexpensive and effective way to maximize your roof’s lifespan and keep your home in good shape.
Inspecting your roof
If you prefer to keep a close eye on your roof’s state, you can perform a visual inspection with a ladder periodically. Missing roof shingles are easy to spot, but sometimes a roofing nail may be loose, or you can have a damaged roof shingle that’s hidden behind one of the valleys. During your inspection, you should never walk on the surface of your roof. You can cause damage to the shingles, or worse, fall off the roof.
That’s where a professional roofer can help. They have the experience to spot a curled shingle or loose flashing and edging that leaves your roof vulnerable to water damage, and the expertise and equipment to walk your roof safely.
Repairing a shingle roof
The process of replacing different types of roof shingles is a little different, and the cost to replace roof shingles depends on the kind you use and the amount you will need. Asphalt and cedar shingles are placed using roof cement and two rows of roofing nails. Because the roofing nails are used to hold down multiple shingles, you’ll have to remove nails from adjacent shingles even when replacing a single shingle.
Roof cement is meant to help shingles stay in place in high winds, and it can be very stubborn, especially in hot weather. A professional roofer has the tools to carefully remove damaged shingles without damaging nearby shingles and replace them carefully without the risk of leaks.
Metal roofing shingles are often placed with concealed fasteners, and they are designed to fit tightly together to prevent water from penetrating them. If you install them the wrong way, they won’t seal correctly, and you can develop a roof leak that may not be noticeable until there is extensive damage.
If you have clay tiles on your roof, they may become cracked over time. In some instances, you can repair the crack with silicone caulk or roofing cement. The tile will need to be cleaned with a brush to remove dirt and debris before applying the seal. If pieces of the tile are missing, you’ll need a replacement shingle so that it can seal the roof properly.
No matter what kind of shingles you have, it’s essential to inspect the underlayment before placing a new shingle. The underlayment serves as a backup for when your shingles fail to keep water out, and it also helps to insulate your home. If it’s damaged, it will need to be patched or replaced before you install the new shingle.
Spot repair isn’t always enough
In some instances, the damage to your shingles is sufficient to require adding a new layer of shingles. This is much more cost-effective than an entire roof replacement, but it will only work if the support beams aren’t compromised. Depending on the type of shingles you have and whether or not there are multiple layers of shingles on your roof, this can be an effective fix. If there is mold or water damage in your roof’s support beams, it may be time for total tear-off.
At Preman Roofing Solar, we can help you determine the safest, most cost-effective method of repairing your roof shingles. We can also evaluate the state of your existing roof and provide a free estimate on your roof shingle repair. We’ve offered commercial roofing and residential roofing repair for homes in the San Diego area since 1999, and all of our prices and timelines come with our guarantee.
If you have a leaky roof or damaged roof shingles, don’t hesitate to hire our San Diego roofing service. Home warranties and insurance may not pay for damages caused by an improper shingle repair job. Contact us today to schedule a roof inspection.
