Picture yourself relaxing in your home, with the rain gently pattering on your roof. Looks good, doesn’t it? Now imagine the same scene, except this time there’s water leaking from your ceiling. A single leak can easily ruin how comfortable your home is; it can be annoying, it looks ugly, and – worst of all – it’s just a taste of other, worse things to come. Fortunately, there are two ways to deal with roof leaks: have your roof replaced entirely, or have the leak repaired. Some would argue that a total roof replacement would not only get rid of the leak, but also give your home a fresh layer of protection over it. However, repairing a roof is a more affordable and sensible option if you act fast enough before the leak causes any serious damage.

Watch out for these key warning signs of roof damage to determine if getting a repair is a viable option for you:

MOSS AND MOLD GROWTH

Moss and mold love damp places so their presence means water’s getting past your roof’s defenses and accumulating. Thankfully, moss or mold growths precedes an actual roof leak, so it’s possible to find a problematic spot and fix it before a single drop falls on your ceiling.

BUMPS AND DENTS

Does your roof’s flashing have bumps or dents on it? Flashing isn’t elastic so if it’s raised in one part, it could mean it’s pulled back in another. It needs to be in contact with your roof to be effective and bumps and dents prevent that, creating gaps that water can enter.

PART 1: SPOTTING EARLY SIGNS OF DAMAGE

STAINS ON YOUR GUTTER OR DOWNSPOUT

Are you seeing dark red or orange streaks running along your gutter or downspout? That could be rust coming off from your roof. Rust can form on nails and flashing, breaking down when it rains to flow with the rainwater. Rusty nails and flashing are no longer performing as they should and must be replaced.

DISCOLORATION

Discoloration anywhere on the roof is almost always a sure sign of water overstaying its welcome on (or under) the roof. Whether it’s rust spots or wood rot, it’s best to have a pro take a look before your roof springs a leak.

- - - - - -

Now that you know the early signs of roof damage, it’s time to address them. Head on over to the next part as we discuss the advantages of working with a professional to get roof repairs.

PART 1: SPOTTING EARLY SIGNS OF DAMAGE

Roof repair makes a lot of sense when you’re looking at a problem still in their early stages. However, this raises another question: if the problem’s small enough, should you tackle the roof repair project on your own? Debates pitting DIY repairs against professional work have raged for years but the truth is that both have their pros and cons. For instance, DIY repairs are cheaper upfront but you’re getting more assurance with professional work. If you’re still on the sidelines about working with a professional for roofing repairs, consider the following reasons on why doing so is the sensible choice:

You don’t need to be an experienced roofer to get good results

This is perhaps the biggest reason why you should favor professional work over DIY repairs. After all, not everyone has the skills and knowledge to track down roof problems quickly and deal with them using the most effective solution.

Professional roof repair doesn’t take a lot of your time

While some may have a lot of free time on their hands, that may not be the case for you. Going up on your roof, examining it for defects, and trying to fix things on your own can take up a lot of your precious time. You may be willing to do the work but can you allot enough time for your roof repair? A professional roofer, on the other hand, knows how to work on a roof as fast as possible without

PART 2: WORKING WITH A PROFESSIONAL

Professional roof repair has you covered

If a DIY roof repair doesn’t go as well as planned and leak-related problems develop, you only have yourself to blame for the unnecessary expenses you will potentially incur. If problems arose after a repair job, working with a professional lets you take advantage of service warranties, taking care of issues without costing you a single dollar.

Professional work will undoubtedly be more expensive than DIY repairs but the additional cost you have to deal with will be well worth it because you’ll be getting your roof back in shape quickly, with quality guaranteed and warranty coverage available should certain concerns arise in the future.

- - - - - -

Professional roof repair makes sense but it won’t be as effective if you don’t supplement it with proper roof care. Head on over to the next part for some helpful tips on how to maintain your roof

PART 2: WORKING WITH A PROFESSIONAL

Finally called a professional roofer and got rid of a roof leak before it could do significant damage? Congratulations on getting your roof back into shape! Unfortunately, roof care doesn’t stop there. To reduce or avoid leaks in the future, you have to start paying more attention to your roof. Take note of these tips to get you started:

Trim those trees

Do you have a tree with branches dangling over your roof? If yes, it’s high time to have these branches trimmed. This will not only reduce the number of leaves that could fall on your roof and possibly clog your gutters but this will also eliminate the possibility of heavy branches falling falling on your roof and causing extensive damage.

Have your roof cleaned

Over time, your roof will accumulate anything from dust and leaves to entire branches and even the occasional small animal. The rain can sweep away a lot of debris but it will still be best to schedule a cleaning at least once a year to thoroughly get rid of buildup.

PART 3: CARING FOR YOUR ROOF AFTER A REPAIR

Check sealants

After being exposed to the elements, roof sealants can get brittle, leading to cracks that give way to gaps at the seams of the roofing material or flashing. Because sealants protect your roof against moisture penetration, it is best to have your roof checked before the rainy season comes.

Don’t climb up too much

In fact, don’t climb at all. Roofs may be able to handle foot traffic but walking on one is dangerous, a task best left to the professionals who know how to do it properly. If you’re concerned about your roof, you can still do an inspection but perform one on ground level. For a better look, arm yourself with a pair of binoculars.

Prepare for bad weather

Big storms can be trusted to come every year but with the weather growing erratic, it pays to be prepared at all times. Aside from scheduling checks before the rains come, also schedule a roof check after a storm passes so you can catch damage before they worsen.

PART 3: CARING FOR YOUR ROOF AFTER A REPAIR

Shelbyville:

931-536-1818

Murfreesboro/Nashville:

615-800-4990

Huntsville:

256-217-5417

Chattanooga:

423-702-4100

ProfessionalRoofingContractors.com