Roof repair tips

While waiting for licensed contractors, there are temporaryremedies for leaks. Before climbing ontothe roof, knowthat it is easy to slip -particularlyon wet tile - andthere isdanger from tree branches,power lines and ladders.
Repairs are made from the outside.On the inside, set upbuckets under leaky areas torelieve the water pressure. Onthe outside of the roof, youcan use plastic sheeting or tarpaper. The smallest holes maybe patched by using a trowelto spread roofing cement overthem.

Plastic Sheeting

This is the most temporarymeasure. Take heavy plasticsheets – a brand name isVisqueen– and use roofingnails to fasten them around thehole.If usingtwo-by-fours,square off the hole with thewood first. Then wrap theplastic around the wood andnail down the wood.

If wood or nails are unavailable,use bricks, cement blocks orsandbags to hold down theplastic.

Roofing Paper

This is known as tar paperor roofing felt. Find it in thebuilding materials sections ofstores. It is applied with trowel-grade roofing cement and atrowel.The paper generally is soldin rolls by weight (15-, 30-and 90- weight paper are common)per 100 square feet.The paper is best applied inoverlapping layers – alternatingthe cement and paper – fromthe bottom of the roof upward.

Contractor Tips

The National RoofingContractors Association canhelp you find reputable roofingcontractors. The Web site is NRCA offers these tips:

  • Check for a permanent placeof business, telephone number,tax identification numberand occupational license.A professional will havethese readily available.
  • Check for a company with agood track record.
  • Ask the contractor for proofof insurance. Insist on seeingcopies of both liabilitycoverage and workers’ compensationcertificates.
  • Find out if the contractor isbonded and licensed.
  • Be sure the contractor canprovide a manufacturer’swarranty.Beware of unrealistic,long-term warranties.
  • Ask for a list of referencesand completed projects.Check with past customers tosee if they were satisfied withthe materials and workmanship.
  • Call the Department ofBusiness and ProfessionalRegulation to check for complaintsagainst a contractor.The DPR can be reached at(850) 487-1395.
  • Insist on a written proposaland examine it carefullybefore signing or paying anymoney.

Spotting Roof Problems

Resist the urge to get up on aladder to take a closer look atyour damaged roof.Leave thatto a professional. Here’s someinspection advice:

  • From the Ground– If you need a closer look, usebinoculars. Look for torn ormissing shingles and problemsin the valleys – where two slopingsections join at an angle.Because water flows heavily inthe valleys, they are especiallyvulnerable.
  • A Closer Look– If you can’t see from a distance,wear non-slip, rubbersoledshoes and use a firmlybraced or tied-off ladderequipped with rubber safetyfeet.
  • Don’t Walk on the Roof– You could dislodge the protectivesurface granules, diminishingwaterproofing effectiveness.You also could fall off orthrough a weak, damaged roof.If you find large accumulationsof shingle surface granulesin the gutters, it doesn’tnecessarily mean the roof needsto be replaced. A contractorshould inspect the roof.

Tile roofs should be checkedfor cracked, missing or loosepieces of roofing material. Forasphalt or wood-shingle roofs,look for protruding nails.On flat roofs, look for barespots in the gravel surface andcheck for standing water.

Take a close look at the flashingon chimneys, vents, skylights,wall/roof junctions andother areas where the integrityof the roof may be compromised.Check television antennasand other add-ons to see if thereare leaks that are a result ofimproper sealing of openingsmade in the roof.