Roof Shingles – Fixing Roof Problems

Roof Shingles - Aug 27,2012 - No Comment

Roof shingles need timely and regular maintenance for a long trouble free life. It is one of the most important features of a home that literally protects you from external factors. It keeps you and your belongings safe, warm and dry. If you find any leaks, signs of water damage, wear or rotting take immediate action. Call a trusted roofer to help fix the problems.

If the water seeps under the roof shingles it will start damaging the wooden planks underneath which will rot and cause bigger problems. If you tend to neglect these small problems you will end up with major expenses later on. You will end up spending thousands of dollars later on to replace the whole roof and the sheathing underneath which arises due to the small problem you ignored earlier.

Home maintenance is an ongoing process. Roof repair and maintenance tops the list of the most important tasks in your to-do list. Every homeowner who has neglected to nix roof leaking problems in the bud has ended up spending a lot more in money and also time and effort in re-roofing later. Roof shingles for the whole roof area can cost you a pretty penny. As they say for want of a nail a kingdom was lost.

If the last time you laid roof shingles was 20 years ago, then it is time to replace it. Research your options well and based on how long you plan to live in the home, your budget and your local area needs. Only homes with steep pitches or very old roof need professional maintenance and repairs. Shallow pitched homes, flat roofs and relatively new roofs can easily be maintained by homeowners themselves.

Basically the three most common problems most homeowners face with their roof shingles are – replacing a damaged shingles, fixing a curled shingles, repairing cracked shingles. Safety is the most important consideration when it comes to roof shingles repair. So, if you have any doubts about your ability to work on heights then call for help. Steep or even shallow slopes can be slippery in any weather and should not be attempted on wet days. It should not be attempted in the mornings when roof is likely to moist with dew or in the evenings when the light is failing.

Take up your roof shingle or roof repair project on a warm, sunny and dry afternoon. When the weather is right the shingles are also supple and flexible. They won’t easily crack or break when handled by you.

Replacing Damaged Roof Shingles:

Make a visual inspection of your roof. If there are parts of shingles missing then they need replacement. All you need to do is take out the old shingle and replace it with a brand new full shingle. If you have a box of left-over shingles from your last roof job, you are in luck. Else, buy shingles that are same as your old shingles or nearest match to old roof shingles. Stores sell shingles in roof squares which are about 100 square feet and will cost about $15-$20 dollars.

To replace the damaged roof shingles you will need a prying tool, knife, hammer and roofing nails. As the old shingle is secured using 4 nails plus the nails from the shingles from the row above and below also go through this shingle, you have to use your prying tool to gently lift the shingle to reveal the nails underneath. Remove the nails one by one. Use small amount of force the eight nails out. Too much force can damage a lot more roof shingles than what you bargained for.

To remove the nails slip your tool under the damage roof shingles and gently jerk it upwards. As the nail comes out a little, press the shingle down and pull out the nail. Just keep doing the same thing till you have removed all the nails on that particular roof shingle. Now, pry the shingle directly above the damaged shingle upwards and remove the nails that are keeping the damaged shingle in place. Repeat the process for all the eight nails. Once the eight nails are out yank out the damaged shingle.

Brittle shingles make the job harder as you will be cracking roof shingles when removing the nails. So, instead of removing the nails cut V-notches around the nails on the damaged shingle and remove it. Now place your new shingle in the place of old and secure it with 4 new nail leaving the old ones in place.

Cracked Roof Shingles Repair

Cracked and torn shingles are easily fixed. No need to replace them. A little sealant is all you need. Apply a thick layer of roofing sealant under the cracked shingle. Press the torn shingle on to the sealant. Apply a second layer of sealant on top of the shingle. Spread the sealant around using a putty knife to get even coverage. Now, don’t be worried that your fix can be seen from afar. If you look in the gutters of your roof you will granules from your roof shingles that have washed out. Collect them and apply them to the glued shingle area. This effectively covers up the work you have done. It’s a simple and easy task to mask the repair and as easy to fix the problem in the first place.

Fixing Curled Roofing Shingles

Due to age and the effects of rain and sun some of the older asphalt shingles will curl with age. They will start curling at the corners either upwards or downwards. If you notice this problem then fix it immediately to prevent the whole shingle from curling and damaging the surrounding roof shingles. Straighten out the shingle and stick it to the roof using a strong glue.

A caulking gun is used to apply a bit of roofing sealant under the curled corner. Put a heavy object like brick on top of the shingle once it is glued down. Leave it in place for about a day to two before removing the brick. This helps the sealant to dry and seal the shingle in place.

These minor repairs when undertaken during your regular roof maintenance every month or two will keep your roof shingles going for a long time with out needing replacement before it’s guaranteed life-span ends.

Roof Shingles – An Overview Of Popular Roofing Materials

Roof Shingles - Aug 13,2012 - No Comment

Roof shingles are used to cover roofs and consist of individual members that overlap. Traditionally shingles were referred to wood shingles. Today a range of materials are used to make roofing shingles like asphalt, asbestos, composite and metals. They are usually rectangular in shape and laid in rows starting from the bottom most edge of the roof. As you go up the shingles are laid side by side with a overlap. When it comes to roof installation one basic and first lesson to learn is to employ overlap for everything. This prevents water and moisture from seeping into the home through the gaps in roof. So, when laying out shingles not only should there be overlap on the sides but also when you are placing the next row.

At the ridges, earlier metal caps made of copper or zinc was used. Today, modified shingles with plastic underlay is used. This gives an uniform look and feel to the roof. The metal cap jutting out at top could seriously mar the appearance of the home. But, today’s shingle laying techniques eliminate that need.

Roofing shingles are available in a variety of materials ranging from asphalt, wood, cement, slate to metals. Each type of shingles comes with various ratings for fire, impact and wind. Different standards apply to different regions and states. There might be local variations inside each state too. These standards have been set for maximum safety for homeowners and citizens. So, it is best practice to follow them for the good of your family and the community you live in.

Wood and paper-based asphalt shingles are prone to fire hazards. They are now not preferred because of dangers of an accidental fire destroying home and endangering lives. The manufacturers are coating wood with fire-resistant non-inflammable materials which makes it safer for them to be used.

The natural oils in cellulose structure of the wood keeps it protected. Over time with constant exposure to sun, the protective oils get softened and washed out when it rains. This causes a gradual corrosion in the wood shingles. You will find more erosion along the gutters and other natural valleys in the roof design where there is more water flow. Eventually as the oils are washed out the wood starts to rot, warp and curl. This exposes the nail heads causing them to rust. Water then seeps through the gaps left by the rusted nails and rotting shingles.

The protective nature of the asphalt is because of the long chain hydrocarbons. These also breakdown due to prolonged exposure to sun and rain. The loss of protective oils in asphalt results in its shrinking and other damages described above for wood shingles.

The most widely used roofing shingles are the fiber-glass based asphalt shingles. Asphalt is embedded between layers of fiberglass. This type of shingles is the most popular in the United States because of its affordable cost, wide range of choices available in every color, texture, design and shape. There are literally hundreds of brands to choose from. The most popular brands include companies such as GAF – Timberline, Tamko, IKO, CertainTeed and so on. Every brand has its pros and cons. It is best to choose a brand or model that suits the local conditions best.

The three-tab roofing shingle is by far the most popular roofing shingle. It is also the least expensive of all the different roofing options. Asphalt roofing shingles are made by sandwiching asphalt in between layers of fiberglass. Other materials like paper are also used but the fire hazard is higher in such materials. Asphalt shingles are available in a variety of designs and colors to match the exteriors of your home. By using these shingles in combination with a variety of quality accessories like drains, gutter pipes, air vents, ridge caps and so on you are will enhancing the looks of your home while also being able to add years to the roofing. Well installed and maintained roofing shingles last longer.

It is important to keep the trees away from your homes roof when you are using asphalt shingles. Trim the branches and remove dead limbs. The scraping of the branches against the roofing shingles will damage them leading to leaks and other major problems. Keep the roof area free of debris, loose leaves and mud by seasonal cleaning. For warmer areas light colored shingles that reflect light are preferable. If you want you can also select a darker shade with flecks of white in them which also do the job of reflecting the light. Darker shades with absorb heat help in rapid melting of ice and snow in winters.

Apart from the functionality aspect of protecting the home roof shingles perform an important task of making your homes look attractive. Beautiful shingles laid out professionally help cover any flaws and make your home look beautiful to onlookers. You don’t have to spend a fortune on designer roof shingles or architectural roofing shingles for this. Even asphalt has many options as there are several brands of them available in an enviable array of choices. Timberline from GAF is a much sought after brand for its quality and performance. A little more expensive but with more choices the architectural shingles are also much sought after. They are particulalry great for heritage buildings and older structures.

Roof Truss Prices – A Look At Prices For Essential Components Of Roof

Roof Shingles - Aug 09,2012 - No Comment

Roof truss prices are an important component of home construction. The roof trusses which are available in several prefabricated configurations are available. There are several options to help make the roof either cheap and simple or for a few hundred dollars more get a more spacious roof that occupies a lot more area.

Roofs can have single, two or three trusses. They can hips, gables and other extensions. Here are some roof truss prices to give you an idea about the costs involved for different roof trusses. Generally more trusses in a roof structure more is the cost as the complexity of making it increases. On the other hand buying three single trusses is way cheaper but it is not suitable to use them where a treble truss may be needed. 3 attic trusses cost $300 dollar, with each truss costing $100. A double truss costs $600 dollars while a treble truss costs around $1000 dollars.

The above prices are just indicators of what you are likely to see in the prefabricated truss market. If you designed your roof with headroom then suitable roof trusses, attic trusses and other trusses can be ordered to help increase the livable area inside your home. The increased space in the roof can also be used as storage space for a variety of purposes.

These specialized trusses called attic trusses are designed for domestic floor loads have sections for room above the floor of the attic. These have larger timber sections which also take into consideration such factors as insulation and ventilation requirements of the local building codes. The roof truss prices for attic type of trusses are a little higher but the benefits you get from such a roof is immense. There isn’t much difference in how the normal trusses and attic trusses are manufactured.

Even though the prices are higher, it is a very affordable and simple way to increase the floor area inside any family home. If it is done while the home is designed the costs work out much cheaper than if you decide to go in for attic conversion later on in your life when the costs can run into several thousands dollars. Compared to what it will cost you later the roofing truss prices are very cheap.

The attic trusses are designed as one single solid component and there is no need to construct the roof and rafter levels separately as these trusses take care of those factors and reduce your overall cost. Going for prefabricated attic trusses is a great advantage in such circumstances. There are experienced and highly qualified engineers who will translate your every requirement into the perfect truss design for your home incorporating all your needs like dormers, staircases, dormers, skylights, windows and roof lights.

There are top manufacturers of trusses who offer the whole roofing package including attic trusses, standard and dormer trusses, all the timber needed for infills, staircase sections and much more if your order from them. All these are available at reasonable roof truss prices.

Metal Roofing Shingles & Materials

Roof Shingles - Aug 07,2012 - No Comment

Various Kinds of Metal Roofs

This provides many benefits for homeowners who choose it for their roof. These advantages are becoming increasingly apparent, as the dramatic rise in the popularity of metal roofs tells us. Responsible for this is also the growing variety of metal roof materials, no longer simple corrugated tin roofs, but rather a proper selection, which differs in durability, fire resistant standards, weight and cost of metal roofing of different types. Every house and every homeowner can find the metal roof that is right for them.

The Benefits Metal Roofing Provides

Consider the following categories, in each of which it proves to be a wise option. Metal roofs are seal out water, are strong against winds, are easy to clear snow off of and are totally resistant to fire, mildew and rot. A metal roof is guaranteed to reach its warranty period in full force. To add to this, metal roofs are considerably lighter than other roofing materials, requiring no additional structural support whatsoever. Not only their light weight make them easy to install, but also does the fact that metal roofing shingles come in sheets or sections, allowing for a quick and simple installation process.

Installing Metal Roofs

If you believe it is the ideal solution for your home, we here at Roof 101 provide the experts that will help you choose the exact material and install it for you. Our contractors are professionals, and will install the metal roof with care, avoiding any scratches or dents caused during installation.

Energy Benefits of Metal Roofing

One of the greatest benefits of it is its astounding energy efficiency. The source of metal roofing energy efficiency lies in its finish – an unpainted will reflect majority of the solar radiation that is absorbed by a roof and attic in a regular asphalt roof. Painted and granular coated metal roofing system both reflect solar energy and re-emit absorbed radiation such that it can also cool your home. In warm climates, a highly reflective surface is capable of re-emitting up to 90 percent of absorbed solar radiation, and in doing so, greatly reducing energy consumption. It has been calculated that the installation of a reflective metal roof can save approximately 40 percent of cooling costs throughout summer, and that a metal roof can reduce the air temperature in your home by about 12 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cashing In On Metal Roofing

Roofers are not the only ones to have recognized the benefits of it. the US government has established an Energy Policy Act of 2005 that rewards homeowners who have opted for the installation of a metal roof. In order to qualify for the Energy Star program requirements, an energy efficient improvement to one’s home must include a pigmented metal roof. Because the majority of metal roofing manufactured today is at least 25 percent solar reflective for steep roofs and 65 percent solar reflective for low slopes, most metal roofing systems qualify for the credit. The tax credit savings on a metal roof under this act can reach up to $500, and is deducted directly from one’s “total tax liability”, such that it can reach sums in the thousands. To get in on this savings bonanza, speak with one of our metal roofing contractors about installing a qualifying metal roof system – they will be happy to help.

Roof101 provides roof repairs, roofing contractors, roofers, roofing services and natural slate, asphalt shingle, skylights, wood shake flat, metal roofing materials and roof tiles installation.

By Eldad Levi

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eldad_Levi

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Roof Shingle Calculator – An Estimate Of Shingles Needed For A Job

Roof Shingles - Jul 09,2012 - No Comment

Roof shingle calculator is a sort of a ready reckoner to help estimate the roofing shingle needs for a home. The shingles needed for a roofing job are sold in either bundles or squares. A square as you might know is a roofing term used to denote hundred square feet of roof. Shingles are sold wrapped in plastic or paper and the bundles weigh light enough so a person can lift them comfortably and transport it up to the roof. So, if you compare a light-weight shingle bundle and a heavier roof shingle bundle you will find the light-weight shingles will cover more area than the heavier ones. So, you will have to buy more of the heavier shingles bundles to cover the same area.

As a general packaging rule, 3 bundles of roofing shingles cover one roofing square. This rule applies to the low-cost 3-tab strip shingles. But, today most homes no longer use these shingles as they are not as long-lasting or aesthetically attractive. So, when using roof shingle calculator remember that the heavier shingles need more bundles to cover the same area. 4-5 bundles of heavier or laminated shingles will cover the area of one square.

From the above discussion you will have an idea that you need to know the roofing area to be able to accurately place an order for the roofing shingles. If you input the area into the roof shingle calculator you will be able to arrive at the number of bundles to buy. When buying roofing shingles you also have to keep in mind the fact that roofing needs a lot of overlap not only on the plain surfaces but at the ridges, valleys, around chimneys, at the edges and as starter shingles. All these have to be factored into our ordering quantity.

There are a mainly two methods used to find the area of a roof. One is the direct measurement method where the roof is physically measured and in the other is the sheet count which is a much simpler and easier method of finding the roofing area even if it is less accurate than the measurement method. In finding the roofing area we are not bothered about getting very accurate answers. If it is as close to the actual area as possible than that is quite sufficient.

Once you get the roof area and key it into the roof shingle calculator remember that you have to also order extra bundles to cover for any shingles that are damaged or torn during their laying, the extra shingles for the starters, the shingles for overlapping, the shingles for ridges and valleys. You will an extra 4-5 bundles of shingles depending on how much of a careful roofer you are.

In the sheet count method we count the number of plywood sheets covering the whole roof. Add up the sheet areas and we get the roofing area. If you have any half sheet, quarter sheets on the roof just add them up to get full sheets. Now, enter the details in your roof shingle calculator and get the number of bundles to order and prices.

Replace Roof Shingles With Minimum Delay

Roof Shingles - Jun 21,2012 - No Comment

To replace roof shingles as soon as possible a homeowner needs to be alert and committed to their responsibilities. If the damaged shingles are not replaced as soon as you notice them then you might end up replacing the entire roof, the cost of which will be several thousand dollars more. Maintenance is the key here.

Homeowners needs to makes annual inspections and also at other times like after a rainstorm, hurricane or blizzard. If you notice anything amiss like shingles missing, any sign of damage like broken shingles, cracked shingles, curled and warped shingles, then as a homeowner you should take immediate steps to mend them. Water can seep through even the slightest cracks in the roof.

Water seepage can ruin your interiors, your decking, the plywood sheets, paint job, insulation and much more. The damage can be expensive and extensive if neglected or ignored for long. It is important to replace roof shingles that are damaged in a timely manner.

5 Factors That Influence Roof Shingles Price

Roof Shingles - Jun 12,2012 - No Comment

The prices of roof shingles range over a wide array depending upon what you use to build your roof. Economical choices include asphalt shingles. More expensive tastes are based on slate and other shingles. These materials need special expertise to lay. Labor is costlier because of the nature of work involved.

If the roofing material you select is heavy and requires adaptation of the roof’s frame before installation, the cost will be higher. Other variables influence your roof shingles price including the slope, pitch and accessories like dormers or skylights in your roof. All these have an effect on the overall expense you’ll incur from roofing repairs or replacement.

Learn more about it in this article titled Roof Shingle Prices – What To Expect?

Installing Roof Shingles – Avoiding Mistakes Commonly Made

Roof Shingles - Jun 07,2012 - No Comment

A homeowner is not usually trained for the job of installing roof shingles. Though not a complex task it can be daunting and nerve-wracking. As everyone knows the cost of installation is a major part of roofing cost, homeowners feel justified in taking up this onerous task to save money. In actual practice roofing is not that difficult if you know some basics like hammering, nailing and keeping safety as a top priority.

Homeowners are generally first-time roofers. There are some mistakes that most first time roofers and even experienced roofers make. The first of them is forgetting to lay the starter strip. A starter strip is the first line of shingles that are laid overhanging the eaves of the roof. These are 3-tab shingles with the tabs cut off.

Second, the most commonly made mistake is not keeping to a straight line when installing roof shingles. You will see many examples of such roofs where the roofs have a wavy appearance.

To read more about the common mistakes while installing roof shingles, check out this report.

Tag Archives: roof shingles

Replacing Damaged Roof Shingles:

Cracked Roof Shingles Repair

Fixing Curled Roofing Shingles