Spotting the Signs of Shingle Damage
Your roofing shingles are your roof’s first line of defense. When your shingles are in bad shape, your roofing system (and, by extension, your home) is more vulnerable to damage from moisture, weather, pests, and more. Consequently, one of the best things you can do is know the signs that your shingles need repair.
Signs that your roof shingles need repair:
- You see visible damage to your shingles
- You see that your asphalt roof
- There are signs of rusting and corrosion on flashing
- You are experiencing leaking when it rains
- Some of your shingles are missing
If you are seeing signs that your roof shingles or tiles are damaged, you should have it taken care of as soon as possible to avoid further damage. But how do you know if it is something you can handle yourself or if you require professional repair service from a roofing company like Lyons Roofing?
When to Call a Professional Roofer
Typically, we recommend that if you are seeing signs of roof damage or corrosion, you, at the very least, schedule an inspection with a professional roofer. Roofing problems can be complicated, and often the signs will surface in a different area than where the problem originated, especially in cases where a leak or moisture is causing damage.
For example, if water or moisture is seeping into your roof in one area, it will keep moving until it can find a way out. This means you will likely see where the water is escaping but not where it is entering. Identifying where a leak originates or where moisture is getting in can be challenging, especially if you do not spend every day working on roofs as we do.
Working with a professional roofer for shingle repair is the only way to ensure that your problem will be effectively resolved.
Keep reading to learn more about how different roofing shingles are repaired.
Repairing Asphalt Shingles
When repairing asphalt roofing, there are a few options depending on the damage you are dealing with. If your shingles are curling and lifting at the corners, you may have the option to glue and seal them. Similarly, if your shingles are cracking, you may be able to fill the cracks with roof sealant. However, these solutions only work when damage is minimal.
Common asphalt shingle issues:
- Curling
- Peeling
- Bubbling
- Cracking
- Pitting
- Loosening
- Granule loss
Often, if a shingle is significantly damaged, it is easier to replace damaged asphalt shingles than it is to repair them. Furthermore, replacing damaged shingles may be more cost-efficient in the long term. This is because repaired shingles will not keep their integrity as long as a new shingle, and you may not notice when the repair begins to fail. This leads to the surrounding shingles becoming damaged as well. This means further repair costs and, in some cases, premature roof replacements.
Dealing with Damaged Clay, Concrete, & Slate Tiles
Repairing clay, slate, and concrete roof tiles is a much more complicated process than asphalt tiles. This is largely because tile roofs are more prone to damage associated with walking on a roof. Consequently, when accessing the damaged tiles, you can do further damage to the surrounding tiles. This does not mean you should ignore damaged clay, concrete, or slate tiles. Instead, you should contact our professional roofing repair team for help.
The two primary methods for repairing damaged roof tiles can include:
- Removal and replacement
- Sealing cracks
Fixing Broken & Missing Wood Shingles & Shakes
Similar to tile roofs, if you have a wood shingle or shake roof, replacing the damaged shingle with a new one is the most common way to repair the damage. However, if the wood shingle only has a small crack in it, you may be able to seal the crack with wood glue, caulk, or putty. The same can be done with a wood shingle that has a hole in it. Meanwhile, if you have wood shingles that are lifting or warped, you may be able to screw them down or reaffix them in another way.
As with all types of roofing, if you see damaged or missing shingles, it is always best to hire a professional to make any repairs or replacements.
Struggling with shingle damage? Reach out to Lyons Roofing for expert guidance and professional roofing repairs.
