When you see a hole in your roof, it’s important to get it repaired immediately. The longer you wait, the more your attic insulation will deteriorate. The first step in the Roof Repair process is to evaluate your roof from the inside and outside. Look for water stains on the ceiling and other signs of damage such as:

Replacement of the Plywood

The condition of plywood is an important factor in determining whether a roof can be repaired or will need to be replaced. Some roofing contractors may include the cost of replacing any damaged or deteriorated plywood in their project estimates, while others may charge extra for it.

Plywood is a strong, affordable wood product made by sandwiching layers of thin veneers together. It’s used in construction for floors, walls, subfloors, and roof sheathing. It’s also useful for furniture-making, and can be cut into shapes like boxes or crate pieces. There are several different types of plywood, each with its own unique application. For example, birch plywood is ideal for sheathing roofs, because it’s moisture resistant and can be painted or stained.

It’s not uncommon for the existing plywood on a roof to be damaged or deteriorated. This can occur due to a number of factors, including environmental conditions and structural damage from heavy snowfall or winds. In these cases, a roofing contractor can replace the damaged or deteriorated plywood before installing new roofing material.

In the past, plywood was often made with fire retardant chemicals. However, these chemicals degrade over time. As a result, older homes constructed with fire-retardant plywood are sometimes at risk of premature sheathing degradation. This can cause the shingles to lose their adherence to the sheathing and lead to leaks or mold.

To prevent this from happening, it’s a good idea to inspect your roof and sheathing periodically. If your roof is in need of replacement, a roofing contractor can help you choose the best material for the job.

When you’re repairing a roof, it’s best to avoid working in bad weather conditions. It’s not safe to be on the roof in howling gale force winds or torrential downpours. However, if you must work in bad weather, it’s essential to be prepared. This includes wearing a hard hat, safety goggles, and thick gloves. It’s also a good idea to bring a ladder and a tool bag with supplies such as a pry bar, utility knife, and hammer.

Regardless of what type of material you use, be sure to follow the instructions carefully for applying any sealants or water repellents. This will ensure that the finished product is durable and long-lasting.

Felt Sheeting

Felt is a type of fabric made by pressing different types of fibers together. It is usually made of wool but can also contain other natural or synthetic materials. Felt is thicker than many other types of fabrics. It is also durable and water resistant. Unlike cotton or silk, felt does not have any sheen or luster. The thickness of the felt is determined by the amount of friction and pressure applied during the production process.

During the roof repair process, the roofing contractor will replace any areas of plywood that are damaged or have become worn down. They will use tar based caulking to seal the seams. Once all of the seams are properly sealed, a layer of number 15 felt sheeting will be placed on top of the plywood. This will be both stapled and glued to the roof joists.

Once the sheeting has been placed, the roofer will install any missing or damaged shingles. Depending on the condition of your roof, the roofer may need to add a layer of flashing. This is an aluminum strip that is nailed in place on each side of the roof. This will serve as a barrier to any water that may seep through the eaves.

If the shingle installation requires the addition of roofing felt, it is important to remember that this material cannot be exposed to sunlight for extended periods of time. If it is left unprotected, the felt can start to deteriorate and will not function correctly.

Flashing

Flashing is thin pieces of impervious material installed to prevent the passage of water into a structure from a joint. It’s typically made of metal and is found around areas where a projection, such as chimneys and skylights, intersect with the roof. Without a properly sealed flashing, these intersections can suffer from serious leaks.

There are several different types of flashing used to ensure that the space between walls and structures like skylights, vents, or chimneys is completely sealed. The flashing is generally made from sheet metal and can be either exposed or concealed. It can also be either rigid or flexible. Some examples of this type of flashing include a continuous flashing, kickout flashing, gravel stops, and valley flashing.

A continuous flashing is simply a long piece of metal that runs from the exterior cladding on a wall to the shingles above it. This is often used in the corners of homes and dormers. In contrast, step flashing is a series of short pieces of metal that are installed in a “step”-like pattern to create a weatherproof barrier. It’s particularly useful in dormer windows, which tend to be more prone to leaks than other parts of the house.

Another type of flashing is a counter flashing, which is usually installed after the step flashing and helps to create a watertight seal. It’s often used in masonry walls to stop moisture from entering through the cracks in mortar, and it can also be used at sills and shelf angles.

Finally, valley flashing is used in places where two intersecting roof planes form a valley in which water may pool. This type of flashing has to be carefully engineered and constructed so that it’s designed to direct water away from the building instead of into it.

It’s important to do a basic inspection of your exposed flashing once or twice each year. Look for areas that are peeling, severely corroded, or bent. These are all signs that the flashing has been compromised and should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. This is a good time to inspect your gutters, as well. Leaking gutters can cause a lot of interior damage, so it’s important to spot any issues early on.

Shingles

The shingles on your roof provide protection from the elements and help direct water away from your home. They can last up to 30 years or more, depending on what material they’re made from and the weather in your area. Keep an eye on your shingles for signs they need repairs or replacement.

A visual inspection from a ladder can help identify shingle problems. Missing or askew shingles, as well as the presence of mold or other damage to the support beams beneath them, are signs that your roof may need repair or even total replacement. You can also look for bare spots on your shingles or pieces of shingle in your gutters. These are a result of granules shedding from the shingles as they age, and they indicate that the shingles will need to be replaced.

Before you start the shingle replacement process, be sure you have all the tools and materials you’ll need. This will include replacement shingles, a pry bar or crowbar, and asphalt roofing cement. You should also make sure you have a safe way to access your roof, such as by using a sturdy ladder and having someone secure it at the base.

Begin by loosening the adhesive under the tabs of the shingles two rows above the damaged ones. This will allow you to pull up the shingles and expose the nails underneath. Then, remove the shingles and the nails beneath them. Be careful not to tear or damage the wood decking beneath the shingles.

When you’re replacing the shingles, be sure to use quality ones with an asphalt shingle classification rating of at least class 4 or higher. This will ensure they can withstand heavy rain, snow and hail. You should also install an ice and water shield, which is a fully-adhered roof underlayment that can prevent damage from ice dams.

The contractor will also check and replace any flashing that is leaking or cracked, caulk or tarp vent pipes, and re-seal any damaged areas of the roof. Finally, the contractor will install new shingles and replace any that are missing or broken.