Do You Need Shingle Roof Repair?
Shingle roofing is common for homes in the Jasper, Georgia area. It is a basic roofing material that provides the protection needed from the different elements and the various types of weather. Fortunately, when those various types of weather strike, any damage to a shingle roof, repairs are usually easy and inexpensive.
What type of weather causes damage to asphalt roofing?
Roofing is exposed to the elements and weather 24/7/365. This protects your family and home from danger and harm from extreme shifts in the temperature as well as the following four forces that can leave a homeowner needing shingle roof repairs or replacement:
- Hailstones
When hailstones hit an asphalt shingle roof, granules are knocked off, and shingles are loosened or knocked off, leaving the shingle base and what is under the shingles exposed. The degree of damage depends on the density, size, and velocity the hailstones hit the roof. If there is any amount or size of damage, asphalt shingle roof repairs or replacement should be addressed sooner rather than later to minimize further damage.
- Hard, High Wind
When severe storms come through the Jasper, Georgia area, often wind storms are included. This can damage and rip off shingles, and even sections of the roofing completely. In addition to needing shingle roof repairs from this damage, it can also jeopardize the integrity of the structure as well.
- Hard Rain
With storms come rain and when the storm is strong, the rains get hard and come in abundance. If the hailstones and wind have loosened or knocked off any shingles, the rain will get underneath the shingles and the other roofing materials, seeping into the roofing deck. When shingle roof repairs are ignored or postponed, it can create wood rot, mildew, mold, and extensive damage to the roof structure.
- Hot, Strong Sun Rays
When it isn’t raining or storming in Jasper, Georgia, then there is a bright hot sun with UV rays backing any shingle roof. Repairs are often needed after the UV rays have baked the shingles to the point they are dried out and easily broken, cracked, or otherwise damaged.
Is just a section of roof shingle repairs sufficient?
If the damage is less than 25% of the total surface area, yes, shingle roof repairs are usually sufficient. If over 25% of the total roof surface is damaged, it is recommended to have a fully new roof installed.
An important note when getting just part of a shingle roof repaired, the color of the new shingles won’t be the same color as the existing shingles. Often, an insurance company and most roofing contractors will recommend that you have the entire roof replaced for durability.
How do you patch a roof with shingles?
As a homeowner, once a significant weather event has passed, you should do a walk around your home to check for damage. If there is a small, damaged area, like a few shingles missing, you can do your own shingle roof repair. What materials are needed to repair a shingle roof? You won’t need much for a small area of shingle roof repairs are needed:
- Hammer
- Ply bar with one flat end
- Ladder
- A package of roof shingles
- 1¼ inch galvanized roofing nails
- Waterproof roof sealant
With your supplies in hand, follow these steps to do your own shingle roof repairs:
- Replacement Shingles
After you have found an area where shingle roof repairs are needed, check your garage for any spares. In most cases, when a roofing job is complete, there will be some left over. If there isn’t any, take a part of a shingle to your local home improvement or hardware store to purchase a bundle that matches as closely as possible.
- Remove the Damaged, Old Shingle
Next, climb up a ladder, carrying a prybar and enough shingles to cover the area needed. Slide the flat end of the pry bar under the shingle to break the adhesive seal. Then locate the nail that was holding the shingle down and remove it using the prybar.
- Attach a New Shingle
With the old shingle out of the way, slide the new shingle into place and install 4 nails across the top of the tab to hold the shingle in place.
- The Surrounding Shingles
Check the surrounding shingles and make sure they are nailed in place.
- Roof Sealant
Next, apply a bead of waterproof roof sealant over the nail heads and press down firmly.
Topping Off Your Home
If your home has suffered damage to the shingle roof, repairs or replacement may be covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy. Once you have discovered the damage, call a roofing contractor for an inspection and quote. Then call your insurance company and file a claim.
They will assign an auditor to your claim who will schedule an appointment to do their own inspection. If possible, have your roofing contractor there during that appointment. The insurance adjuster is there in the best interest of the insurance company. The roofing contractor is there for you.
In your best interest, have the job completed that the insurance claim has been approved for. Should you decide to use that money for other matters and have future roof damage, your claim could be denied, and possibly your policy canceled. If you need shingle roof repair in Jasper, GA, please give us a call at 706-301-8630!
