Knowing when to repair roof shingles is an essential skill for homeowners. If your roof has sustained significant damage from a storm, you may only have a limited window to submit a claim with your insurance company. For instance, homeowners who were impacted by Hurricane Ida only had until November 3, 2010, to file their claim. After that time, it is up to you to decide whether to repair or replace your roof.
Read the article. First, you’ll need to remove any damaged shingles. You can do this by using a pry bar or rake. Then, you can remove any protruding nails or staples. You can also use the claw of a hammer to pry up loose shingles.
A small hole in a shingle can lead to extensive damage over time. If you can find matching shingles, you can easily patch the hole. If you don’t have access to roofing tools or don’t feel comfortable working at heights, you can even get help from a licensed roofing contractor.
The age and care of your roof play a major role in determining its lifespan. While shingle technology has improved over the years, no shingle manufacturer can guarantee 100% prevention of algae and moss growth. However, many manufacturers use zinc and copper granules as preventative measures. In most cases, the warranty period for preventing moss and algae growth is around 10 to 15 years.
During the winter months, shingles are more susceptible to cracking and becoming brittle. This can prolong the project duration and cost. Furthermore, working on a snowy or icy roof can be tricky. If you’re unable to fix the damage, you may have to replace other parts of the roof as well.
A pry bar may help you remove damaged shingles. First, remove the nails that secure the shingle to the roof deck. Next, carefully lift the shingle until it pops up about 1/4 of an inch. If the shingle is bonded to the shingle below, use a flat pry bar to separate the two. Then, re-nail the shingle.
Before you start removing old shingles, make sure to check your flashing. Proper flashing prevents leaks from occurring from rain or ice dams. If the shingles are loosely adhered to the sheathing, you should cut a small slot and use adhesive ice and a water barrier. This ice and water barrier should be applied in areas where leaks are most likely. You should also check for cracked shingles at the corners of your roof.
Depending on the damage, you may not need to secure the entire roof. If the damage is minor, removing only a few shingles may be all you need to repair the damaged area. However, if the shingles are split or cracked, it may not be worth securing them.
A leaky roof can cause serious damage if it is not fixed immediately. See here. A constant leak can also attract insects and other pests. Then, a damaged soffit and flashing may also cause a leak in a short time. Repairing damaged soffit and flashing can be an easy job but you should also ensure that the soffit and flashing have not been damaged as well.
It is important to repair roof shingles if the area is exposed to extreme weather conditions. In New York, extreme heat and cold can lead to severe wear and tear on shingles. Freezing temperatures can also loosen roof granules. Moreover, they can also cause cracks in the rubber gaskets around chimneys and vent pipes. In addition, they may cause flashing to pull away from the chimney or walls.
Moss is another common indication of a damaged roof. Moss is a sign of trapped moisture and can be removed with a stiff brush, but the underlying issues should be addressed first. If the roof is less than 15 years old, it may only need minor repairs. If the damage is more significant, you may need to hire a professional roofing contractor to complete the task. The average cost of installing new asphalt shingles is about $9,000, with the majority of the cost coming from labor. The amount depends on the size of the roof and the materials used.
As a general rule of thumb, a roof’s lifespan can be determined by the type of roofing material. A standard three-tab asphalt shingle roof should last for fifteen to twenty years, while a premium architectural shingle roof may last for up to thirty years. However, the life expectancy of an architectural shingle roof depends on the climate and local weather conditions.