If you are a DIY enthusiast, chances are you’re always looking forward to the next home project to keep yourself busy. Roof repairs are an integral part of roof maintenance and help to prolong the shelf-life of your structure. So, what happens when you notice a small hole or missing shingles on your roof? Should you try and fix it yourself, or would it be better to ask for professional help? Here’s a guide with some helpful information about this topic.
How to fix a small hole in your roof?
If you are looking to fix a small hole in your existing roof on your own, the first thing you need is some basic DIY knowledge. This means knowing how to use different tools and work safely up at high places. Some of the tools you’ll need include:
-A tape measure- to get the correct measurements of your flat roof for cuts.
-A box cutter or utility knife is used to cut through the damaged shingles and make more accurate cuts with a straight edge.
-Roofing nails- to secure down any patches you make on your roof. It’s best not to use screws as they will not hold down the patch as tightly.
-A plastic putty knife- to help remove old asphalt shingles and place your replacement shingles correctly, without damaging them.
-Nylon roofing cement -to seal up any cracks or a leaky roof that you notice while doing maintenance work on it. You can also use a caulk gun in place of the roofing cement if you have one.
-A ladder- to get up onto your roof safely and have an excellent place to work from while you fix the hole in your roof.
-Caulking gun -to seal any unpatched areas with asphalt shingles, such as vents or skylights on your roof. These are better sealed off since they don’t require additional support.
-A screwdriver replaces any damaged shingles during the roof repair process, such as if there are broken or missing nails in your roof patch. You can also use a drill for this purpose if needed.
All roofing repairs should be performed by a professional! If you are not knowledgeable about roofing, please do not attempt to fix damages to your roof. Climbing your roof can result in damages to yourself and your roof.
How to fix a small hole
Once you have all the above tools on hand, follow the steps below to repair the damage:
-Remove all loose or crumbling shingles around the hole in your roof and place them aside for later use if they are still good (don’t try to reuse broken ones as they can cause roof leaks and other damage to your roof).
-Cut through the first layer of shingles covering where you want to make an opening with a utility knife or a box cutter. Then, use your putty knife to remove the top layer of shingles and set them aside for safekeeping in case you need to replace them later on.
-Check if water is coming into your roof through that hole when it rains by placing an empty bucket underneath it before covering it up again.
-Cover the roof hole with a patch of shingles, roofing nails, and caulk to seal it off properly. Be sure that any new patches you make are securely fastened down to avoid coming loose or resulting in a leaky roof.
For more significant repairs involving missing sections of your roof, you will need to replace the entire layer of shingles with new ones. This is a bigger and more involved project, so it’s best left for roofing contractors to do instead. They can also help make any more significant repairs necessary as part of your regular maintenance tasks on your roofing material.
Is it safe to conduct roofing repairs by myself?
A small hole in your new roof is an easy fix that most homeowners can safely do themselves. If you have some basic knowledge and time to spare, you can save some money on repairs by doing it yourself. However, it’s always best to leave more significant repairs and maintenance tasks up to a professional roofer who knows what they’re doing when it comes to properly fixing different types of damages to your roof. Performing any types of roofing repairs and maintenance on your own is a huge safety hazard as well. So keep this in mind when considering performing your own roof repairs.
Why should I consider professional roof repair?
Sometimes, getting a roofing contractor to fix your roof may be the better course of action. This is especially true when:
You don’t have time
If you don’t have enough free time to take care of your roof, you should consider hiring someone to do it instead. Professional contractors are usually available 24/hours a day to get the job done quickly and efficiently for homeowners with busy schedules.
You don’t know what needs fixing
If you aren’t sure if there is damage or missing pieces on your roof, you should consider getting someone to come look at it for you. They will assess the problem and provide professional solutions that can help keep your home safe from roof leaks or other issues in the future.
You don’t have the tools
Some maintenance tasks may require specific tools that homeowners simply don’t have on hand. In these cases, it’s best to hire professional companies that know what they’re doing and have the right supplies readily available. You can trust that everything will turn out correctly.
It is an emergency
Sometimes, more severe damage may need immediate repairs. In these cases, homeowners should contact a professional immediately before the problem gets any worse and causes even more extensive problems that could end up costing them much more money to fix in the future.
Your Local Roofing Contractor!
Whether you are searching for a roofing company in Tigard for roof repair, roof replacement, or maintenance, feel free to give us a call at HER Roofing. Our contractors will be happy to conduct a thorough inspection, listen to your needs, and provide you with an estimate.