A hole in your roof can be quite a nuisance, especially since it makes you spend every second of the day fearing that rain could flood your home. And it’s not just about holes—even minor damage to your roof can create major issues and jeopardize the entire structure of the house.
So what do you do? Look for a professional service? Well, not always. Sometimes, it’s important to learn how to repair your roof in such emergencies. Of course, if the damage is too severe, it would be unwise to take matters into your own hands. Instead, you should consult a professional service to get the job done.
In this guide, however, we’ll teach you five DIY ways to repair your roof and prevent your home from getting damaged.
Why DIY Roof Repair
A typical roof repair can cost you all your savings, but if you’re looking for a cost-effective repair method, keep reading below.
Although not all types of roof damage are the same, you can remedy these problems in most cases instead of replacing your roof. The most common roof problems are:
- Moss Growth
- Leakage
- Blisters on the roof
- Clogged Gutters
Simple DIY repairs don’t require heavy equipment and tools. Also, you can get all the materials required to repair your roof from a nearby hardware store. Follow these five easy DIY ways to repair your roof yourself.
5 DIY Ways To Repair a Damaged Roof
1. Replacing Damaged Shingles
Shingles replacement is necessary for roof repair because of multiple reasons. Leaks start small, but storms and hail can make the roof shingles tear off your roof’s major parts, causing serious damage. You can easily detect leaks on your roof through ceiling stains or a pungent mold smell.
Shingle replacement is easier than you think. Follow this four-step method to replace your roof shingles.
- Break the attached seal on the shingle
- Remove all the nails from the shingles and take them off
- Replace the new shingle in its place
- Use roofing nails to seal the new shingle
Remember to remove the debris stuck beneath the damaged shingles before placing the new ones. You can easily get your preferred shingles from any hardware store. Although it’s easy to deal with smaller leaks, if the problem has gotten out of hand, you can call a repair professional from our trusted CMC Roofing Services.
2. Repair With Incisions
Blisters on the roof are caused by moisture trapped beneath the shingles, which are brought about by poor roof ventilation or excessive heat. Poor roof installation can also become the cause of bubble formation. If you have roof impregnation, you no longer need to worry. A simple DIY method to resolve this issue is to make an incision on the problematic area to lift it open.
To make the incision, use a sharp cutter but avoid cutting off the whole material. Then, apply a moderate amount of roofing cement on the affected area and reattach the roofing material. To avoid future damage, install roofing nails on the area for added protection. Covering the nails with roofing cement is best to complete the work.
3. Prevent Moss Growth
Most homeowners ignore moss growth for its lush-green appearance and damage their whole roof. Remember never to tolerate moss growth as it can generate moisture on your roof, causing further problems like blisters. Moss growth can clog your house gutters and degrade your roof with time, making your house structure weak.
Follow these steps to remove moss from your roof and prevent its growth.
- Make a liquid solution with equal parts water and bleach
- Spray the affected area
- Leave it for about an hour to dry
- Rinse your roof with water
4. Unclogging Or Replacing The Gutters
Gutters are as important to your roofs as shingles and rafters. Clogged gutters can damage not only your roof but also the whole structure of the house. It can make water overflow which ruins your landscape and cause rotting on the roofs and walls.
Moreover, damaged gutters can cause pest infestation on your roof. As the water stays inside, mold, moss, and other fungi breed in the gutters. That’s why it’s best to keep checking the gutters; if they are damaged, replace them as soon as possible. If the gutters are clogged, then try to unclog the gutter with a stick or strong acids.
5. Repair Flashings
Flashings are metal sheets typically made of steel or aluminium that seal your roof. It weatherproofs your house’s surface by allowing the water to flow inside the gutter easily. Usually, the flashings around joints like valleys, chimneys, and walls get rusted or loose, which leads to leakage in the joint, destroying the other flashings and shingles.
Repairing flashing is easier than you think; follow these easy remedies to make your house weatherproof again.
- If the flashing is loose, then it’s best to peel it off and apply roof cement beneath it. Then reinstall the flashing by pressing it back.
- If the flashing area is rusted, purchase a new steel flashing from the nearby hardware store and slide it beneath the affected area, then apply roofing cement to seal the area.
- If the flashings adjacent to the shingles are damaged, then it is better to work carefully, as too much force can damage them. Join the flashings to the shingles using roof cement to prevent the flashings from getting punctured.
Conclusion
Roof problems often cause major harm to the framework of your house, and if left unchecked, they can lead to a slew of inescapable issues that would necessitate the services of roofing specialists.
To save money on labour, use this DIY guide to perform minor repairs to your roof as soon as you notice a problem. You don’t need to be a roofing specialist to handle the listed issues; easy remedies can help you identify the issues and fix them.
If you cannot resolve your roof problems because of the severity of the condition, you can call in expert help from CMC Roofing Services. We have a team of professionals who provide the best roofing services, including storm damage repair, gutter installation, and siding installation. You can schedule a free roof inspection online and contact us for further questions.
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