What Options Are Available To Repair Damaged Shingles?
Severe damage, such as from high winds or hail, can often necessitate complete roof replacements. However, it's also common for asphalt roofing to suffer minor damage. Debris, less intense storms, or age can cause shingles to wear down and fail, creating the potential for more serious damage to your roof and home.
Fortunately, you don't need to replace your entire roof because of a few damaged shingles. Instead, you'll usually have several options to address the problem in a far more affordable way than a new roof. If a roofing inspection reveals a few scattered problems with your shingles, here are three options to address the issues and restore your roof.
1. Resealing
The simplest problems to repair often involve loose shingles. Asphalt roofs involve a few layers, with the wood decking sitting at the bottom and the shingles sitting on top. In between may be one or more layers of underlayment and ice or moisture protection, with the final layer of shingles held on by sealant and nails.
However, the sealer or asphalt cement holding the shingles to the roof can fail over time. You'll typically notice this problem when the edges of your shingles begin to curl upward. This issue is unsightly, but it can also create the potential for leaks. The good news is that a professional roofer can easily reseal these shingles, extending their lives for at least a few more years.
2. Nail Repair
Another common cause for shingles to curl or loosen is nail pop. Nail pop most frequently occurs due to improper installation, but there are other potential reasons. For example, a poorly ventilated attic can force your roof to deal with excessive heat and humidity. As the roof decking swells, it can cause nails to pop up and come loose.
Nail pops are a serious issue. Your roofing nails seal your shingles to your roof, and the holes created by the nails are a potential source of leaks. If your shingles are failing for this reason, it's important to have an experienced roofer take a look as soon as possible. In most cases, it's possible to repair the shingles by resealing, installing new nails, and addressing the underlying cause of the pops.
3. Shingle Replacement
While it's often possible to repair damaged shingles, you'll occasionally need to replace more severely damaged ones. Shingle replacement is typically only necessary when a shingle is so dented or cracked that resealing it will still risk leaks or when the damage creates major cosmetic problems visible from the ground.
However, it's often hard for homeowners to make these determinations independently. If you want to avoid needlessly replacing roof shingles, it's best to allow a professional roofer to inspect the damage and suggest the best option for an affordable repair.
To learn more about shingle repair, contact a company like Shingle Rescue LLC.
