A well-maintained roof increases your home’s value, but a deteriorating roof can make selling difficult. If you suspect your roof needs repair, there are several things to keep in mind.

First, examine the shingles for damage. Look for bald spots or granules in your gutters — this indicates that your shingles are nearing the end of their lifespan. To learn more, visit https://www.corpuschristiroofingco.com/.

Whether they’re punctured by hail or simply worn down to their base, loose shingles should be repaired promptly. Unattended shingle damage may result in water leaks and other expensive roof repairs. To repair a damaged shingle, you’ll need a pry bar, hammer, utility knife, replacement shingles and some 1-1/4-inch roofing nails. Before you head up to the roof, tie a length of climbing rope to a sturdy object on the side of your house opposite the damaged area. Climb to the roof, slide the pry bar underneath a shingle directly above the damaged one and gently lift it to break the sealer strip connection. Once the shingle is lifted, remove the first row of nails that hold it with the claw end of your hammer.

Continue this process with each shingle until you reach the damaged shingle. If the shingle is punctured, you can repair it by cutting V shapes around the nail holes and pulling out the nails with your hammer claw. Otherwise, you’ll need to replace the shingle altogether. Be sure to choose a replacement that closely matches the existing ones in color and style for a cohesive appearance.

It’s also worth examining the shingle flashing at chimneys, vents and skylights for signs of damage or looseness that could compromise the shingles. If you see any dark spots or streaks, they may indicate the presence of algae or moss growth. While they’re not technically a roofing issue, these substances can reduce the lifespan of your shingles and can make them less effective as a waterproof barrier.

As your inspect your shingles, pay particular attention to the edges, which are more susceptible to wear and tear than the rest of the surface. If you notice any signs of curling or lifting, contact your local roofer to discuss a possible shingle replacement.

Likewise, if you observe cracking or chipping of the shingle edge, you can camouflage these issues with a little extra roof sealant. After completing your inspection and repair work, safely descend from the ladder and clear away any discarded shingle pieces or nails.

Damaged Flashing

A thin, protective material, flashing is used to seal the seams of different installations on your roof, including chimneys, roof vents and skylights. When properly installed, flashing prevents water from seeping into the interior of your home around these areas. However, over time and from exposure to the elements, flashing can become damaged. If not repaired, this can lead to leaks, wood rot and other issues in your house.

Common signs of flashing damage include rust or corrosion, loose or missing flashing, and cracks or gaps in the flashing. If you spot any of these problems, have a KY-KO roofing specialist inspect the area and repair it as soon as possible to avoid extensive water damage.

During roof construction, flashing is bent and placed into place under the shingles. Over time, this can bend from the extremes of weather and from normal wear. If you notice this, you can often repair the flashing by removing the shingle, laying down new flashing, and then installing the shingle back into place.

Flashing is often made from metals like galvanized steel, copper or aluminum. Corrosion can occur from the exposure to rain and other elements, while rust can form in places where the metal comes into contact with water or other materials. It’s also important to inspect your flashing for dents or bending, which can weaken the material.

When repairing the flashing, you can use roof cement or caulking to fill any cracks or gaps in the flashing and to repair any areas of rust or corrosion. It’s also a good idea to add a layer of waterproof flashing tape over any sections of the flashing that have been exposed, especially in high traffic areas such as the corners of the roof.

While most homeowners are reluctant to try DIY repairs, flashing is an easy and quick repair that can save you money on costly roofing repairs down the line. If you’re willing to crawl up in your attic and take a look, it should be fairly easy to locate any signs of trouble and make the necessary repairs.

Damaged Gutters

Gutters are an essential home feature that channel rainwater and melted snow away from the house. Without functioning gutters, water may seep into the roof and walls and cause serious damage. Water that doesn’t flow through the gutter system is likely to pool on the roof, causing shingles to break apart and rot and damaging the fascia boards. Water may also erode the soil around your foundation and lead to basement flooding and other problems.

A sagging gutter is often the result of loose or missing fasteners. If you find sagging, use a ladder to access the gutters and inspect the fasteners. If they’re loose, you’ll need to replace the gutter spikes. You can do this with a drill and new gutter screws, which you can buy at most hardware stores or online. First, remove the old spikes and clean out any rust. Then, screw in the replacements and tap them with a hammer to secure them. This is a relatively easy DIY repair and it’ll help to prevent gutter sagging in the future.

Sometimes, sagging is caused by a poorly sloped gutter installation. If the gutters weren’t properly pitched when they were installed, rainwater pools in certain areas instead of flowing down to the downspouts and out into the ground. This can cause the gutters to pull away from the house or even fall off altogether.

Other times, gutters become damaged by a lack of maintenance or because of the weather. Cold climates can cause ice dams to form on the roof. This occurs when the ice melts but then refreezes along the eaves, blocking the gutters and preventing them from draining.

If you notice stains on your siding, the fascia boards or the side of your house, it’s time to replace your gutters. Over time, stagnant rainwater and debris build up in clogged gutters, which causes them to sag. The extra moisture also corrodes the fascia boards and shingle edges and can stain them. If you don’t replace your gutters, the rotting fascia and damaged side panels eventually lead to roof leaks and expensive structural repairs.