A dripping roof covering can trigger costly and serious damage to your home. Penetrating water can ruin drywall or plaster, trigger mould, as well as also rot framing. We share 4 professional roof tips by roof repair Singapore specialists to help you on your journey of fixing your leaking roof.
You must repair a roof asap after the damage happens. Managing a harmed roofing is sometimes a simple matter of using roof cement to a noticeable hole; at other times you will certainly require to spend time identifying the problem and also computing the benefits of repair services versus setting up a brand-new roofing.
Be Alert to Early Signs of a Roof Leak
If you check the condition of your roof at least once a year, you should be able to plan in advance for necessary repairs. Early signs of trouble include dark areas on ceilings, peeling paint on the underside of roof overhangs, damp spots alongside fireplaces, and water stains on pipes venting the water heater or furnace.
From the outside, you can assess your roof’s health by viewing it through binoculars. If you find piles of grit from asphalt roof tiles in the gutters, that’s a bad sign, since the granules shield the roof from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays.
If you’re inspecting on your own and find worrisome signs, especially if the roof is old or there has been a storm with heavy wind or hail, get a professional assessment.
The Cost of Re-Roofing
Unless you’re so pressed for cash that your only other option is to risk leaks, it’s false economy. The second layer won’t last as long– only about 15 years rather than the standard 20– and you won’t get new flashing or underlayment or the opportunity to upgrade to features that make a roof stronger. Plus, when you go to sell, your re-covered roof will look a little lumpy, and potential buyers may interpret the two layers as a sign that other home improvements were also done on the cheap.
Make Sure to Factor in Hidden Costs
Don’t just look at the total when you evaluate bids. A bare-bones estimate might include a single layer of 15-pound building paper under the roofing, while a better but more expensive bid includes self-stick rubbery material along eaves to protect against damage from ice dams. Bids might also differ in whether they include the cost of disposing of the old roofing, on hourly rates for structural repairs, and on costs related to gutters.
Once you settle on a contractor, check to make sure the company is licensed and insured. Discuss how the crew will minimize damage to landscaping, and who will pay for any that occurs. Schedule the roof work during dry weather, if possible, so your lawn doesn’t take as much of a beating. You’ll sleep better, too, if you’re not worrying about rain coming in when the roof is half-done.
Don’t Count on Caulk
Rarely will caulk or roof cement cure a leaky roof– at least for very long. You should always attempt a “mechanical” leaky roof fix whenever possible. That means repairing or replacing existing flashing instead of using any type of sealant as a leak stopper. When flashing isn’t an option as a leak stopper, only use caulk for very small holes.
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