Oh, no! After the last big rain storm, you noticed that your roof gave way to a new leak. You have a call in to a roofing company, but they aren’t available to come to your home for a few more days. What are you supposed to do in the meantime, especially with the threat of rain in the forecast? No need to worry yourself sick. We have a few answers for you. Continue reading if you want some ideas on how to care for your leaky roof, while you patiently wait for professional help.
Don’t Panic: Most homeowners will become quite anxious when they hear the sounds of water dripping from above their heads. Try to stay calm. Grab some old towels, plastic tarps, or buckets and get to work protecting your home the best way that you can do. Cover any flooring that is receiving water, as well as any furniture or other valuable things. This will prevent further damage that could become quite costly very quickly. Find the Spot Where the Water is Entering Your Home: Most leaks will find the easiest entry spot, which is usually around a light fixture or a heat/AC vent. If you find the water is concentrated in one area, you may poke a small hole in the ceiling that will allow the water to drip through easily. This will prevent the water from spreading and finding other areas to leak through the ceiling. Look for Higher Areas of Water Penetration: It is important to locate the original point of entry, also. The best place to start is in the attic. If you can temporarily stop the leak from inside the attic, then that is the safest method compared to climbing on the outside of the roof yourself. Often, leaks will occur between the plywood boards of the roof decking. These joints may not align perfectly with the leak that occurred in your home’s ceiling, so stay patient as you search for the roof’s leak. Once you locate the leak, decide if you can provide some temporary repair that will prevent more water from entering your home. You may use things like roofing cement, roofing tape, or even a tarp for coverage in order to prevent more damage. Roofing items can be found at most hardware stores or home supply shops. If you feel that fixing your leak from inside your attic is not a feasible solution, and if you feel comfortable going on top of your roof, then you can use a tarp to cover the leaky hole until professional help arrives. The best practice in this situation is to cover the leaking spot with a tarp, and use 2x4 boards to secure the tarp in place. Now, all you have to do is wait for the roofing contractor to arrive. Although having a leak in your roof can be quite bothersome, it is an issue that can be resolved. It is important to stay calm, have patience, and know that help will arrive soon. Water always has a tendency to “find a way”, so undoubtedly, as a homeowner, you will have water issues at some point or another. Take one leak at a time, and you will quickly learn that any leak can have a positive resolution. If you’re still searching for a roofing company to help repair your roof leak, give us a call at (205) 942-8374.
3 Comments
It’s almost spring cleaning time again! Your house needs to be cleaned from top to bottom, your garage de-cluttered, your landscaping refreshed, and your roof needs some attention too. After a winter full of storms, ice, and drastic weather changes, your roof could have possible leaks, missing shingles, mold, and other serious problems. Follow our spring cleaning checklist to assess the state of your roof:
Owning a home or business is a huge responsibility. Maintenance must be done throughout the year to ensure your investment is protected. As winter is quickly approaching (thank goodness for some cold weather finally!), there are several things you can do to winterize your roof. Performing preventative maintenance will save you from a roofing emergency. By checking and repairing these parts of your roof, you can cruise through the winter knowing that your roof is in good shape: 1. Remove or trim overhanging tree branchesBranches can cause a lot of problems for your roof, so they need to be trimmed or removed. Large overhanging branches will become very heavy with snowfall and will break and fall onto your roof. Low hanging branches will scrape your roof and damage your shingles. 2. Clean gutters and downspoutsWe can't stress enough the importance of keeping your gutters and downspouts clear of debris. Rainwater and melting snow need to be able to drain properly in order to prevent water damage to your roof, siding, foundation and other parts of your home or business. 3. Inspect the roof and repairRepair loose, damaged and missing shingles to prevent leaks. Check the roof flashing (the material placed around joints and openings in your roof) for signs of wear or damage. Cracked caulk should be removed and replaced. Have a qualified roofing contractor in Birmingham inspect and repair any issues that are found. 4. Insulate your atticYour attic should be properly ventilated and insulated in order to prevent heat loss as well as the formation of icicles and ice dams. Be sure to consult with the experts at Bill White Roofing and Specialty on proper insulation levels and ventilation techniques. 5. Look for warped woodInspect the woodwork around your home or business especially around the roof and in the attic for warping and mold growth. These are signs of water damage, usually pointing to a larger problem like a leak.
While it hasn't rained here in Birmingham in quite some time, it's still important to safeguard your home or business from potential roof leaks. If it ever does rain again, the last thing you want is a bunch of drip buckets strategically placed throughout your living room or office. Whether your roof is 3 years old or 30, a roof leak needs to be taken care of immediately so as to prevent further damage. Repairing a small leak could save you a lot more money by preventing the need for a roof replacement or major remodeling job. At Bill White Roofing and Specialty, we are your roof repair experts. We've compiled a list of the most common causes of roof leaks, what they look like, why they occur, and what needs to be done to fix them 1. Cracked Roof Flashing
2. Broken Shingles
3. Improper Sealing of the Valleys
4. Clogged Gutters
5. Attic Condensation
Roofs take a beating from heavy storms, strong winds, and extreme temperatures. If proper care and maintenance is put into place, a roof will keep you safe and dry for many years. Review this list of common causes for roof leaks and be sure to add these areas to your maintenance plan so you can avoid major damage to your roof and home. As an experienced roofer in Birmingham, Bill White Roofing and Specialty will be glad to assist you with inspecting and maintaining all of your roofing elements.
If you're planning on selling your home, you probably have a mile-long list of things that need to be taken care of in order to get the most money out of the sale. When someone is looking to buy a home, one of the biggest expenses they worry about is whether they are going to have to replace the roof in the near future.
If your roof has a huge gaping hole in it, then you already know you're going to have to replace it before selling your home. Most homeowners, however, are faced with a less obvious decision to replace the roof before selling, and find themselves asking questions like: Will replacing those shingles help me sell my home? Do I really need to repair my roof or can I sell it as is? Do potential buyers really care about the moss on the roof? If you find yourself in this second category and are having trouble making a decision about your roof before putting your home on the market, you definitely need to have a roofing contractor do a thorough inspection to assess the overall condition, scope of repairs needed, and the projected lifespan of the roof if left alone. If the roofing contractor determines that a roof replacement is necessary, then you can consider the following things before making a decision:
Be sure to discuss your options with a professional roofer as well as your realtor. As discussed above, there are numerous factors that will be in play when it comes to selling your home. The best decisions are always educated decisions, and you don't want to spend more money than you have to. If you are in the Birmingham area, give Bill White Roofing and Specialty a call for roof inspections, roof repairs, or roof replacements. Now that the weather is starting to cool off, most homeowners in Birmingham are starting to tackle all of those outdoor projects they've been letting pile up over the excruciatingly hot summer. If you're one of those homeowners who loves to take on DIY projects, be sure to continue reading to learn about why roof repairs should be left for a professional roofing contractor.
Keeping your roof in top condition is extremely important in keeping you and your family protected from the elements. Sure, you might think that regular inspections and repairs sound fairly simple, but that's not actually the case. Roofing is a very dangerous job. According to Forbes, roofing is the fourth deadliest job in America. Over 2000 people a year die from falling off of a roof, whether that be an amateur or a professional. Even with the strongest safety precautions, there are still many dangerous situations that can occur up on a roof. Aside from falling, someone who is not experienced with working on a roof can be injured by twisted ankles, bruises, and back injuries. They can also miss weak, soft spots in the roof decking, step on them, and cause more damage than before. Then there are insects like wasps and bees that build nests, and if you disturb them, you'll more than likely be stung. Weather plays a factor in the dangers of working on a roof. A brief rain shower will transform your roof into a slick, slippery surface and quick wind gusts will make you lose your balance. So no matter how safe you think your roof may be, it's actually a very dangerous place to spend your time. Quality roofing jobs require skill and precision, and the only way to develop these skills is through lots of practice. At Bill White Roofing and Specialty, we have over 45 years of experience in the roofing industry. When someone uses the wrong tools or techniques to install shingles, severe problems will pop up in the long run. Trust an experienced roofing contractor to get the job done correctly so you don't stress yourself out every time it rains or storms. Another reason roof repairs should be left to professionals is that not all roofing problems are obvious or easy to spot. Some issues will lead to major damage of the rest of your home if not detected and repaired properly in a timely manner. A good roofing contractor will do a thorough inspection to determine all areas that need to be addressed, and will be able to detect conditions that could lead to future problems. If you're still considering an attempt at DIY roofing, keep in mind that it's probably not going to be as cost effective as you think. A reputable roofing company buys materials in bulk from the manufacturers, lowering the cost significantly, and the roofing crew works quickly and efficiently to get the job done in a timely manner. Do you really want to spend your time working on a project that is not only dangerous but can cause more damage if not completed correctly? Give Bill White Roofing and Specialty a call for all of your roofing needs. We always say "Your roof is our roof" and will do the job right, the first time. When it comes to your roof, making the right decision is important for both the lifespan of the roof as well as your bank account. The most common decision we see that homeowners have to make about their roofing in Birmingham is whether to repair a damaged area or replace the roof, either partially or completely.
Damaged or missing shingles are relatively easy to replace, as well as inexpensive. The damaged shingles can be removed and new shingles can be applied very quickly. One thing to consider is the age of your roof and whether you have extra shingles available. If your roof is relatively old and you do not have any spare shingles, the repair job will probably not match your existing roof. This may not be a big deal to a lot of people, especially if the shingle replacement will extend the roof's life by 10-15 years, but if you are planning to sell your home in the near future, a huge eyesore can make or break the deal. If the damage to your roof is more significant than the shingles but is only found in a small area of the roof, a partial roof replacement is a much less expensive option than reroofing the entire house. The replaced section can easily be blended with the older roof and will keep your home safe from the weather elements. An important factor in partial roof replacements is how many layers of shingles your roof already has on it. If your roof has several layers, they will all have to be removed in order to complete the work, resulting in additional costs and an uneven roof due to the extra layers of the old roof meeting up with the new part of the roof. Whether your roof has a small area that needs to be replaced or several areas, it is important to consider the age of the roof. What is the life expectancy of your shingles and how long has it been since they were replaced? If they only have a few years left in their lifespan, it may be best (and cheaper) to replace the entire roof all at once. If you decide to have your roof completely replaced, you then have to decide whether to tear the old roof off or install the new roof over the old roof. You can either save money now but face the risk of bigger expenses in the future, or spend more money now, get the job done correctly, and lessen the chance of future problems. If your roof already has two layers of shingles on it, you have to tear off before adding more. Your roof structure cannot handle the weight of another layer of shingles. Sure, they may not seem heavy when you're holding one in your hand, but covering the roof with 1500 square feet is almost the same as parking an SUV on top of it. If your roof only has one layer of shingles, the decision is up to you. You'll want to consider the fact that shingles hold better when attached directly to the roof decking, so if you live in an area that sees high winds, you'll probably want to tear off the old before applying the new. Another point to keep in mind is the fact that the entire roof deck can be inspected and repaired if the old shingles are torn off first. This is important because not only can all of the damage be spotted at once, small repairs can be made, and the roof decking can be reinforced, but extra water shields and other protective layers can be installed. A complete roof replacement is expensive, but will last for decades. If you find yourself in a situation requiring some form of roof repair, do not hesitate to contact us so we can help you make an educated decision. Your roof is one of, if not the, most valuable aspects of your property, but is often taken for granted until it is too late. Just like any other large investment, regular maintenance of your roof will help it lengthen its lifespan. Here are several maintenance tasks that homeowners can handle on their own:
|
Details
Bill White Roofing & Specialty Co.With 50+ years in roofing, Bill White Roofing offers unmatched expertise. Count on us for valuable insights, tips, and industry secrets to make informed decisions about your roof. Welcome to the realm of roofing mastery with Bill White Roofing. Archives
June 2018
Categories
All
|