Although rowhome roofs can be relatively small in size, when shingles age and you begin to experience leaks, repairs can be an expensive headache. Often just determining the cause of a roof leak can be tricky without sending an experienced roofer up to investigate. Deciding whether to repair or replace a roof can be difficult, too — chances are, a small repair will serve only as a temporary fix, especially if the roof is older. Here are a few roof repair tips to keep in mind for your Philadelphia rowhome.
1. Determine the Cause of the Problem
If you notice water leaking into your home after heavy rains, chances are your roof is the root cause of the issue. Other signs of roof problems, according to the Bob Vila site, include cracked or curling shingles, missing shingles, the presence of mildew, or wet stains on interior walls or ceilings. If you’re unable to visually inspect your roof from the ground, call a roofing contractor and ask about a roof inspection. If you do choose to inspect the roof yourself, remember to be safe. Have someone hold the ladder for you, and don’t go up on a wet, slippery roof — wait for dry weather. Also, if your roof is damaged following a weather-related event, check with your insurance agent about filing a claim.
2. A Small Roof Repair May Protect From Future Damage
Often, fixing a roof problem involves a trial-and-error process. Once you have had the roof inspected, you may want to try a small repair, especially if something obvious like missing or cracked shingles are found. Even leaving a few broken shingles on your roof can leave your entire home vulnerable if a bad storm rolls through town, so it’s better to spend the time and money to make a quick repair than risk later damage.
3. Add an Ice Shield
Last year’s rough winter dumped tons of snow and ice on the region and many houses suffered the effects of the extreme weather. Low-pitched roofs, like those on many Philadelphia rowhomes, are prone to ice dams, which are the icicles you see hanging from your eaves. If you’re repairing or replacing your roof, consider adding an ice shield to prevent melting and refreezing snow from clogging your gutter or leaking into your home.
4. Roof Replacement
If you have an older roof (i.e., 20 years old or older), it may be time to stop patching up problems and consider replacement. Newer shingles are tougher against rain and wind and come in an extended variety of colors. Other options that you might be able to cost-justify include cool roofs, green roofs, or even the addition of solar panels. Also consider the time of year you need to make repairs. If you’ve been experiencing consistent roof problems and winter is coming, it may make sense to move on to replacement before the weather turns too cold and you’re stuck with a leaking roof for another cold season.
Image Source: Flickr/Joseph Wingenfeld
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Thanks for posting this article to help me for the rest of my life! I feel like roofs are always giving me grief, and I never know when the best time to get roof repair is. I’ll use these tips
Roofing Contractors in Appleton
Thanks for your article about how to repair your roof, Jennifer. You make a great point about how fixing a small problem can help to prevent substantial structural damage to your home. I grew up in the Northwest, and we received a significant amount of rain. It was important to make sure that your roof was always in good repair to keep your investment protected. Thanks for your tips!
Great information and valuable nuggets for future planning.
Thanks Bill!
Roof Repair Denver
Thanks for the article. I liked all the 4 points. The roof is the most vital part of a house. So, you have to choose only the professionals that i believe. Professional roofers are experts in working safely and perfectly.
Awesome write-up. I’m a normal visitor of your blog and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I will be a frequent visitor for a really long time.
Essex Roofing
Thanks for providing tips for the repair and replacement of roof. Your article is really informative for me.
I loved that your first step was to determine the cause of the problem, even if it means calling a roofing contractor to inspect your roof and locate it for you. It seems to me that it would be difficult to repair a roof you weren’t positive what the cause of the problem was. Having a professional affect the repair could be a really good way to make sure that the fix is lasting and not temporary.
I like that you said that we need to get an inspection if we have a problem with our roof. When I noticed the water dripping from my ceiling I was concerned for the safety of my family. You might want to find the safest possible solution for your family if you are getting a ceiling replacement after the inspection.
I agree that doing small repairs on your roof can help you avoid big problems later. It makes sense that doing this would protect your investment and help your roof last longer and avoid potential accidents. I would want to consult with a professional that has a good reputation and can help me understand how to best maintain it in a good state.
That’s a good tip to call a roofing contractor about an inspection. It’s important to check the health of your roof regularly. You wouldn’t want a little problem to become a big problem.