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Four Signs You Only Need to Patch Your Roof

Posted on Tuesday, February 1st, 2022 at 1:50 pm    

Four Signs You Only Need to Patch Your RoofWhen you notice water damage on the inside of your home or business, chances are there is a leak somewhere, possibly in your roof. But before you (or a contractor) climb up there, check any pipes that are near the damaged area inside. If you determine that plumbing pipes are not leaking water into the damaged wall or ceiling, inspect the roof as soon as possible.

Since the water damage has already made it to the ceiling and/or walls of your structure, the roof leak has been there for a while. Not attending to it right away will cause further deterioration inside as well as to the roof. For example, mold can begin to grow within 24 to 48 hours. And mold is known to aggravate or even cause health issues.

Patching Your Roof Can Delay Having to Replace Your Roof

Leaks are not the only issue you may have with the roof that protects your home or business. There are other kinds of damage that can cause problems. Even if the roof is relatively new, these annoyances can pop up from time to time. But as long as you know what the most common roof glitches are and how to detect them, you can fix the problems promptly. Roof damage that occurs in a small confined area usually requires a patch job, not the purchase of a brand new roof.

Areas of the Roof That May Require a Patch Job at Some Point

It’s not uncommon to have to fix a part or parts of your roof from time to time. The good news is that if you attend to the problem in a timely manner, you can limit the damage by doing a patch job, as opposed to replacing the entire roof. These are some of the parts of your roof that can become problematic:

  • Plumbing vent boot: A vent boot is a plastic or metal covering for the pipe or vent that ensures air circulation in the attic. It also prevents mold from damaging your roof.
  • Shingles: Shingles are flat pieces of roofing material, such as asphalt, that are placed, usually overlapping, on the roof, and that beautify and protect the structure.
  • Flashing: Flashing is a thin sheet of metal that prevents moisture from getting into a structure. It is used around vents, dormers, chimneys, and wherever two different surfaces meet.
  • Gutters: A gutter is a long piece of metal or vinyl that is attached to the perimeter of the roof in order to catch and deflect rainwater from the structure.

How Do You Know When You Only Need To Patch Your Roof

Four Signs You Only Need to Patch Your RoofA roof patch is meant to repair damage to a small area of your roof. Many roofing professionals agree that as long as the damage extends to no more than 25 to 30 percent of a roof, you can probably repair rather than replace it. When you or your roofer examines the roof, look for these signs that your roof only needs a patch. (The following information applies primarily to asphalt roofing, which is the most common type of roofing in North America.

  1. Deterioration of roof vent boots: Inspect the base and the boot surrounding the plumbing pipe for deterioration, which can cause water to seep into the house or building. If either part is damaged, you probably need a new one. However, if it’s just the nails that are missing or loose at the base, simply replace them.
  2. Damaged, loose, or missing shingles: It’s easy to determine if your shingles are missing or loose when you inspect your roof. Replace the damaged and missing ones and reapply nails to those that are loose. To determine whether or not your shingles are damaged, look for nicks, cracks, curled edges, and a shiny rather than granular surface.
  3. Flashing leaks: Over 90 percent of roof leaks occur because of damaged flashing. Suspect the integrity of your flashing if the siding is damaged and/or if there are interior leaks. On the flashing itself, look for holes, missing pieces, and/or metal corrosion.
  4. Clogged gutters: The purpose of a gutter is to reroute water away from the house or building and send it to drain from the downspouts. When gutters become clogged, the water sits in the gutter, which is attached to the roof, causing the roof to deteriorate. Cleaning out the gutters regularly is the best prevention. Also, look for shingle granules in the downspout. This indicates that you must replace some shingles. Additional warning signs are cracks and separations at the gutter seams, as well as peeling paint, damaged siding, rotting wood trim, and mildew on the structure. These warning signs are a wake-up call to replace your gutters.

Call Kidd Roofing Today for Skillful Roof Repair

If it looks like water is damaging the interior of your home or business, or if you notice the deterioration of any part of your roof, call (866) 671-7791. Our expert team at Kidd Roofing would be happy to help you determine if a particular area of your roof is causing the problem and if it is, how we can fix it.

We can provide a free quote for any work you need to have done. We also provide assistance with filing insurance claims. Kidd Roofing has been helping home and business owners keep the roof over their heads in tip top shape since 1982.

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