When a shingle is broken, it can allow a significant amount of water into your home. In many cases, you do not need to replace the entire roof, simply because a small number of shingles are broken. You may not even have to replace all of the damaged shingles at all. Going through the simpler process first can save you time and money, as opposed to going all out from the beginning.

Are Shingles Damaged Frequently?

Roofing shingles are surprisingly easy to damage. All it takes is a falling tree limb, a high wind, or a nail that was put in a somewhat wrong place to make damage an inevitable occurrence. Even though a set of shingles may indicate that they are rated for a certain number of years, this is only a base guideline if no special events occur to damage the shingles.

How to Identify a Damaged Shingle

A damaged shingle is a relatively easy thing to spot. If some of the nodules have come off, it can be damaged enough that water will leak through it. If there is a smooth or shiny spot, that particular shingle is no longer serving its full intended purpose. As well, any kind of crack or break in the shingle means it is not working as intended anymore.

The Shingle or the Tab

Shingles can be relatively large and are divided into tabs that can be identified separately from each other. In some cases, you may need to replace the entire shingle. In other cases, simply replacing one of the tabs may be enough. There is no sense replacing more than you need to if the damage is only minor or highly localized.

To Replace a Shingle

To start, use a putty knife to separate the shingle from its seal. Then use a flat bar to pry it up and remove the nails that hold it in place. Be mindful of potentially damaging the shingles above and below it. Then either remove the entire shingle or use a utility knife to cut away the tab that is damaged.

Once you have space opened up, you can make sure you have the right size of replacement. Once you have this, secure it into place under the shingle above it using 7/8 inch roofing nails. Then place a small amount of roofing cement underneath to hold it down tightly.

When the Shingle is Not the Problem

In some cases, the flashing is the problem instead of the roof shingles themselves. In these cases, it is important to thoroughly check the flashing itself to see if there are any rust spots, cracks, holes or any other potential breach points. It is also important to check to see if there have been attempts to repair the breach in the past.

Trying to patch a part of the flashing with roofing tar, caulk or most other substances is not a long-term solution, even though it is used as a popular method among homeowners. These types of “repairs” typically fall through and end up needing the skills (and tools) of a professional roofer to repair all damages. If you’re experiencing a Roof Leak in Lynnwood, be sure to check out the roofing professionals here.

Roof repairs can be a costly part of your non-standard home maintenance, and this kind of roof repair is not one that can be ignored for long. The longer you allow a leak in your roof or any other type of damage to go unchecked, the worse the costly damage will become. Taking care of the situation promptly is your best bet to keep the bill at a reasonable level.

Doing it Yourself

There is something to be said for making the repairs to your roof with your own two hands. It can be satisfying to know that when your roof begins to leak, you can handle it for yourself. However, there are also hazards to know about before you get up there. 

Roof Repair Seattle Client Site 3

Do you know how to perform proper roof repair in Seattle? Do you know what kinds of materials you are going to need, and what is legally mandated in your area? Do you know how to find the precise area of damage, and eliminate all of it? Would your insurance protect you from an even larger medical bill if you were to fall off the roof and get injured? Ouch. Handling the repairs for yourself may save money on labor, but an injury could cost you far more in medical bills and lost work.

Small Repairs

In some cases, you can catch a roof repair task before it has gotten too bad. In the case of small leaks that are caused by a flashing issue or a few shingles that have blown off, you may be able to escape with only a few hundred dollars worth of expenses.

Your main cost will often be to locate the area where the repair needs to be made. Often, smaller roof leaks are difficult to see during their initial stages. Since most roofs are gabled, your roofer may need to physically check the entire roof to see where some shingles have gotten loose, or where something has caused a hole to form in them. Water may be running underneath your shingles and causing damage below in an entirely different area from where the initial leak is happening.

Your materials and labor in these cases can typically run in the under-$1,000 level, but this is primarily if it has not yet become a drywall or mold issue. As the damage continues to happen with each rain or snow, the costs will steadily climb. See one of our best articles on How To test Your Roof For Leaks

Significant Repairs

If there has been a slow leak that is not noticeable under normal circumstances, mold can develop on joists, in your decking under the shingles, or even in your attic. This mold will weaken wood, which will often need to be replaced. Failing to do this can result in structural failure above your home.

Replacing a significant number of shingles can lead to a total shingle replacement, which can run into several thousand dollars. This may involve replacing some of your decking, or it may not. In either case, you are either looking at potentially several thousand dollars in removal and replacement costs, or much greater costs down the line.

It is almost always the smarter decision to hire a professional roofer to take care of all damages regarding the roof of your home. Aside from the annoying leaks, your family’s health can be endangered if mold starts to appear. Don’t take the chance, and call a professional to handle the dirty work.

Your roof can leak anywhere, but there is rarely randomness about the location of leaks. When you’re experiencing a Roof leaking in Seattle or any other rainy city, you can usually track the leak’s location relatively easily. Often, it comes down to a small number of familiar places that you or your roofer can check in only a few minutes.

Gutter Line

Your gutters are not the place that most people would associate with leaking, but this can quickly happen. Gutters have the unfortunate job of taking a lot of water in and channeling it away from the home – even if there is a clog and a ton of precipitation all at once. This is when a leak can happen very easily.

Bits of debris can easily clog your downspouts or create small dams in your gutters. When this happens, the water has to go somewhere, and it can pool upward into the lower part of your roof. When this happens, water can seep underneath your shingles and begin causing damage. In some cases, water can even begin to soak into the decking and go further toward the middle of your home.

Skylights

If you have a skylight, the question is not whether or not it is going to leak – it is how much is it going to leak, and how long until you notice the leaking? Skylights are very difficult to properly flash, and the fact that they are essentially a raised platform on your roof means that water can easily begin to collect up there. When water collects, it tends to seep inwards.

Checking your roof for leaks every year is a generally good idea. If you have skylights, checking them at the beginning of each season is an even better idea. The sooner you catch a leak here, the better off you will be.

Flashing

When the curve of your roof line meets another curve, this needs to be carefully flashed so that water can flow over it properly without penetrating the roof itself. If this is not done very carefully or is in any way compromised by weak materials, a leak is imminent. Flashing should be solid, but over time it can tarnish or rust just like any other kind of metal surface.

In some cases, such as with old black iron pipes, the flashing can be damaged by what it is surrounding. The flashing materials around pipes tend to be made out of rubber, which can easily be cut by a pipe’s surface. Checking this is an easy way to ensure that a significant potential threat does not happen.

Where Trees Touch

It is vitally important to trim back trees that are growing toward your home, as wood touching shingles tend to damage the latter. If there have been branches touching a part of your roof, there is a good chance that the shingles have begun to weaken. This is where pieces can break off or become cracked, allowing water to flow in.

Now that you are aware of the areas where a roof can leak (which is virtually anywhere), you need to ensure your roof is checked regularly. Contact us for roof repair and maintenance work in Seattle and Lynnwood areas.

When your roof leaks, it can slowly but surely turn your home from clean and healthy to musty, broken down and even potentially dangerous. The only thing that compares to the damage that water can do is the damage that fire can do, and fire is far easier to spot early on. The good news is, you do not need to wait until it rains to determine if your roof is likely to leak.

Underlayment

Unless you patrolled the roof being installed, you may have no idea if the majority of your decking is covered in underlayment. This is a layer of water-resistant fabric that goes under your shingles, that can slow down the damage during the rain if worse goes to worst. However, you can check to see if the underlayment is at the bottom, near the gutters.roof leaks and old shingle curling

First, climb up to your gutter area, be sure to have solid footing. Then, gently peel up the bottom layer of shingles. If your roofer did their job properly, you should have an underlayment layer that is intact and flat. Expect this layer to extend at least a foot to 18 inches, so as to minimize any damage done if rain or snow overflows your gutters. This is an area that can easily contribute to a Roof Leak in Seattle if left untended to.

Your Flashing

One of the weakest links in any roof is going to be your flashing. The likelihood is unless something is obviously wrong with your shingles, your flashing is where a leak is going to happen. This is an area with different materials and a break in the solidity of your roof, and this break is what the flashing is intended to protect.

Ensure that the flashing is laying down flat and that every space has room for water to flow downward. If your roof is like most residential roofs, it is intended to let water quickly flow away, instead of catching it like commercial roofs often do. Ensure that every piece of flashing has covered over its highest part, so water does not sit at the tiny gap at the top. Flashing is like shingles in that it needs an overhang, so water does not flow under it.

It is also essential to check that the flashing material is right. Any exposed areas need to be stable, preferably sheet metal. Anything that resembles tape or is soft should not be directly exposed to sun and rain, as these will weaken it quickly.

The Line of Your Shingles

Check to ensure that your shingles are all physically intact. Even a small missing corner piece can result in a leak. Your shingles should lie down snugly, and their nails should be well covered by the layer above them. As well, check to ensure that no shingles are loose. If they move other than peeling them upward, there is a good chance they are too loose. Also check to ensure your shingles do not feel thin or brittle, as this means they are going to break soon.

Checking your roof before it rains can mean a world of difference to your house and your wallet. If you feel uncomfortable with checking the details above yourself, calling a roofing professional can save you a headache down the line.

As any Roofing repair contractor in Seattle or otherwise would tell you, there is a lot to do when it comes to your roof. While you can simply defer maintenance, every season can add on new problems. Stopping a problem in your roof as early as possible is an excellent way to preserve your roof’s strength. Some repairs can be done yourself, while others should be outsourced to the professionals.

Identify the Problem – Track and Fix Roof Leaks

The first step in fixing any obstacle is to figure out precisely what it is. In this case, finding out where your roof is leaking is also vitally important. Unless you intend to replace the entire roof, which is costly and very labor intensive, targeting the precise location of your leak is essential. This generally means going up onto the roof and poking around.

The two main things to look for with a roof leak are apparent cracks and weak spots. A soft spot means that water has ended up there, and it can be a good clue as to where the water entered. Sometimes water will flow into a breach in your roof and then flow downward, causing damage below itself. Once you have found a weak spot, you can usually find the leak’s location that much sooner. Check out our full range of roof repair services as we cover everything from minor work to consultation and much more.

Fixing Broken Shingles

Broken shingles can be snapped into two pieces, hanging off of your roof or blown off altogether. In some cases, such as when the shingles are in sections, it may be time to replace the broken ones. If small parts are missing, you may be able to repair them with a tube of roofing tar. In cases where there is a tear at the top where the nail had been before, and the shingle itself is still intact, simply putting in a new nail at roughly the same vertical level. If it’s placed precisely underneath the above shingle, this can solve the problem fairly quickly.cracked shingle roofing repair

It is important to remember that before you repair or replace a shingle, you check out the decking underneath. If it is too weak, replacing a part of the decking may be required. For the most part, if you catch the shingle issue early, the decking should still be strong enough that it can easily air-dry underneath once the shingles are restored to water tightness.

The Flashing

Flashing surrounds virtually any potential breach point in your roof. This is a point that can fail reasonably quickly, and you may be able to replace it yourself. Flashing is also good because it is easy to find. Flashing usually consists of concealed tar backed aluminum foil or sheet metal. Generally, flashing can be bent into place and secured either via nails or adhesion. Also check our post on “Pros and Cons of Do It Yourself Roof Repair Work“.

When you flash an area, often you will have to remove siding or shingles to get in. This can be very labor intensive, and thus you may want to trust this to a professional. One of the most critical parts of handling a roof leak is determining what you are individually capable of, and what issue should be left to the professionals.

Roof repair is potentially expensive and time consuming project that every homeowner must take seriously, especially when it concerns deciding whether or not to do the repairs yourself. As any roof type project must be approached with caution and a plan in order to avoid injuries and faulty installation, it is very important to consider the pros and cons of doing the roof repair yourself. The pros of doing your own roof repairs, while they do exist, must be carefully considered before you do decide to pursue this project without any professional help.

Do It Yourself Roof Repairs: The Pros

Take the following pros of performing your own roof repairs into consideration before you make the decision of whether or not to hire a professional contractor to do the job:

1. If you do possess the necessary knowledge and skills required to perform the intricacies involved in a roof repair, then the money saved on the potentially expensive labor and hardware associated with hiring a professional service could easily be avoided if you know what you are getting yourself into.
2. By performing the repairs yourself, you can have the added benefit of being in charge of the schedule, deciding when the construction takes place. This is ideal if time is of the essence or if you are concerned about the hours of construction inconveniencing the schedule of your family.

Do It Yourself Roof Repairs: The Cons

On the other hand, here are some of the cons associated with doing your own roof repair:

1. The time commitment for a roof-related project is usually extensive, potentially so time consuming when performing the labor by yourself in fact, that it can actually make more sense financially to hire professionals, as the time you invest could eventually add up to more than what it would cost to seek help.
2. Similarly, if you don’t already have the tools needed for the job, purchasing the appropriate hardware and tools could quickly deplete your budget. Likewise, if you are not familiar with the proper technique of using the equipment, you run another safety risk.
3. As roofing projects typically require a certain degree of expertise and physical strength, it is often wise to leave it to the experts when it comes to such the fine details and extensive manual labor involved in home construction projects.
4. Since a roof is a major investment for your home and any construction on or around it could potentially be a liability, consider the fact that when you do repairs yourself, you are not insured the way a professional roofing company is and should even a minor accident occur, the consequences of not being properly insured could be disastrous.
5. Finally, another drawback to performing roof repairs, like shingle replacements for example, is that warranties on parts of this nature are dependent upon proper installation, something that only a professional company would be likely to guarantee. Shingle replacement and other similar repairs are sometimes best left trusted to a professional for this reason.If the pros of doing it yourself sound a little too overwhelming, call Roofing Specialists Northwest today. We are here to help you!

Here are 10 questions to ask before you decide on a roof installation company.

You’ve got a leak on your roof. You have found the source of the leak and you are now waiting on a Roof repair contractor in Seattle. Really, there are two temporary remedies for a leaky roof that you can use while you wait for the leak to be repaired. Prior to you climb onto the roofing of your house, keep in mind that it is simple to slip, especially on wet tile; there is likewise risk from tree branches, power lines, and ladders. If you are going to climb onto your roofing, wear non-slip, rubber soled shoes and utilize a firmly braced ladder geared up with rubber safety feet.

Repairs are always made from the outside of the roof; a quick way to temporarily fix a leaky roof is by placing buckets under the leaks. Yes, we know that’s not rocket science but these will at least catch the water and prevent damage to your flooring or carpet. Buckets are easy to replace and provide a quick temporary remedy to the smaller leaks. Damage contained!

On the roof, you can use plastic sheeting or tar paper. Plastic sheeting is the most temporary measure to leaks. Take heavy plastic sheets and use roofing nails to fasten them around the hole. You can also use cement blocks or sandbags to hold down the plastic if you are unable to find nails. Again, be careful.

Roofing paper is another temporary remedy to a leaky roof. Roofing paper is also known as tar paper or roofing felt. Roof paper can be applied with trowel grade roofing plastic cement and a trowel; these are best used in overlapping layers. Roofing paper can be found at any construction supply store.

The smaller sized holes might be covered with roofing plastic cement. Utilize a trowel to spread the roofing plastic cement over the holes.

Here is a nice video showing some roof repair tricks:

Here are 10 questions to ask before you decide on a roof installation company.

Ask How Long the Roofing Contractor Has Been in Business
You probably wouldn’t take your car to a mechanic who has been on the job for two weeks. And you probably wouldn’t sign up for heart surgery with a doctor fresh out of school. So why pick a roofing contractor that doesn’t have a long track record of doing high-quality work?

In many cases, homeowners allow price to dictate the contractor they choose. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. If you go with a roofing company that can give you a bargain price but can’t provide a list of happy customers, you’re probably going to end up with a substandard installation.

Also keep in mind that it’s extremely difficult to collect a judgment against a contractor that simply closes its doors after a lawsuit. Unfortunately, fly-by-night contractors are notorious for disappearing to avoid paying damages, only to reopen months later under a new name. You can avoid falling victim to this type of unscrupulous contractor by working with a company that has decades in business and a solid reputation.

At Roofing Specialists Northwest, we’ve been installing roofs for homeowners in the Pacific Northwest region for over 20 years. For two decades, we’ve built a foundation of trust with homeowners in Seattle, Wa or Bellevue, Wa. Chances are, we’ve installed a roof for someone in your neighborhood.

Double Check Licensing and Insurance
Roofing is a dangerous job, which is why we never recommend homeowners take it on themselves. It’s important to have the right tools, materials and safety equipment. It’s also important to have experience. Reputable roofing contractors hold the requisite permits and licenses for every job they perform.

A high-quality roofing installer will also carry all required insurance for its workers, which will cover them in the event someone is hurt during your roof’s installation. As a homeowner, you should never work with a contractor that can’t provide proof of proper insurance for its employees.

Look at Past Work
For most businesses that provide a service, reputation is everything. Think about the last time you went to a new restaurant, or even visited a new hair salon or dentist’s office. In past years, you might have asked a friend or relative for the names of a good place to grab dinner or get your teeth cleaned. Today, however, the internet provides unbiased, third party reviews from people who have used a business’s services in the past. In fact, 81 percent of consumers say they research online before they make a purchase. Before you spend money, it pays to do your homework.

What do other homeowners have to say about the roofing contractor? You can ask the company if it has a list of homeowners you can call, or you can check online for information about the company’s past jobs.

You should also be skeptical about contractors that show you nothing but five-star ratings. While this might sound great, it’s most likely not an accurate representation of their work. Any company that performs thousands of roof installations each year is going to have a certain number of less than favorable reviews. At Roofing Specialists Northwest, we enjoy over a 95 percent satisfaction rate among past customers, which is unmatched in the industry.

Price Isn’t the Only Thing That Matters
If you’ve ever undertaken a home renovation project in the past, you may have been told to “get three estimates.” No one really knows where this so-called “three estimates” rule comes from, and no one seems to be able to say why three is the ideal number.

In fact, there’s no reason why you should limit yourself to three estimates — or why you should go beyond one or two estimates when looking for a roofing contractor. Rather, you should spend time talking to potential roofing companies until you believe you’ve got all of the information you need to make an informed decision.

Get Financing Agreements in Writing
Every aspect of your roofing installation contractor should be in writing, but it’s especially important to make sure you understand the financing terms. A good roofing company will appoint a knowledgeable employee to walk you through the contract and answer any questions you have about payment. No part of the agreement should be confusing or left “up in the air.”

Ask Who Is Performing the Installation
Will the roofing company send its own workers to your home? The last thing you need to worry about is waking up on installation day and seeing an unfamiliar work crew on your property. The unfortunate reality is that some roofing contractors outsource their jobs to third party independent contractors. When they do, the manufacturer of the roofing materials is quite likely to void the warranty that comes with the materials. Furthermore, you have no way of knowing whether the independent contractor is qualified to install your new roof. Be wary of roofing companies that use these types of bait and switch tactics.

Ask What Happens If You’re Unsatisfied with the Work
No matter how carefully you plan a job, there is always a chance that something won’t go exactly as planned. If an error happens, how will the company handle it? This is something you need to know in advance. Will you spend hours on the phone, trying to reach a representative? Will the company take your money and run?

At Roofing Specialists Northwest, we don’t accept a single penny in payment until you are completely satisfied with your roof. And if you’re unsatisfied for any reason, we guarantee we will make it right.

Ask about Unplanned Repairs
Watch any home improvement show on television, and you know that unplanned repairs and emergencies are more often the rule rather than the exception. As soon as you start knocking down walls or ripping out cabinets, you’re likely to find additional problems or the need for extra repairs or work.

Roofs can work much the same way. In some cases, decking is rotten or damaged by moisture, or the crew discovers water damage that needs to be repaired before additional moisture makes its way inside a property. Ask your roofing contractor how it handles unexpected repairs. This way, even if you’re surprised, you know what to expect.

Will the Roofing Contractor Tear Off Your Old Roof?
Some roofing companies will install new shingles over an old roof. However, this is almost always a bad idea. For one thing, it adds additional weight to a roof that is probably already aging and due for new decking. Two, it doesn’t address any underlying problems, such as damage concealed by old shingles. Just because you can’t see a problem doesn’t mean it’s not there. And when it comes to your roof, a concealed problem can mean major repairs in the future.

In this way, slapping new shingles over an existing roof is a lot like putting a Band-Aid on an infected wound. You cover up the damage, but you do nothing to treat the real source of the injury. It can be an effective and cheap short-term solution, but it’s not a long-term fix. Worse, it usually ends up costing a homeowner a lot more down the road.

Ask if the Roofing Contractor Is an Authorized Installer
Is the roofing contractor a preferred partner and authorized installer for the shingle manufacturer? This is an important consideration, as manufacturers won’t honor their warranties when a roof is installed by a non-authorized installer.