During a wet, freezing winter – roof repairs are almost impossible. There’s only a short time left to check the roof and fix problems or replace it.
Check the shingles. Do they look worn? Curled? Are some missing? Are the eaves filled with debris?
Check the valleys. This is the area where two different roof angles meet. A valley helps water run off the roof, but a missing shingle, shifted flashing, or cracks along the valley of a roof may direct water inside, causing a whole mess of issues.
Check the stack pipe. If the rubber membrane around the vent stack is brittle or perfed, there will be a significant leak inside. Water could even flow alongside the vent stack right down to the basement.
Check the roof vents. Have the edges lifted? Are they sealed by the shingles?
Once you’ve done the roof check, determine - repair, or replace?
It may be tempting to save money by laying a new set of shingles over the old ones. But by removing old shingles the roof deck can be inspected for water damage and wood rot and repaired if needed. Plus, shingles are heavy, and roofs are built to handle only certain weight loads.
If you’re re-doing the roof, ask about installing an “Ice & Water Shield.” This is a rubberized sheet that’s applied to the roof decking wherever water pooling is possible: above the eaves; around the chimney, skylights, and vent stacks; as well as in corners and valleys. This waterproof underlay helps prevent water from seeping between shingles and flowing into the house.
Also, get the eavestroughs re-done. Every roof can benefit from wider gutters and while someone is already “up there”, have them install a gutter guard to keep debris out.
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