It takes a brave soul to tackle roof repair during a howling gale or blizzard. It’s also a job that’s best left to professionals.

Start with a visual inspection of shingles, gutters, roof edges, and flashing around chimneys and dormers. Look for water stains on the ceiling or walls and granule loss from the shingles. Visit Website for more information.

The roof’s structure determines the overall durability of a home. Poor design, construction and faulty materials can lead to expensive problems that require repairs. The roof is also one of the most challenging parts of a house to work in. Using the right tools and knowing what to look for can help people make the best decisions when they have to repair their roofs themselves.

Some common types of roofs include gable, hipped and flat. They can be made of metal, wood or other materials. Roofing material costs vary by type and region. For example, asphalt shingles are inexpensive, while copper roof panels cost more. The roof’s pitch, or slope, will also affect its cost. The more steep the roof’s slope, the higher the maintenance and replacement costs will be.

Adding insulation to your roof can help decrease energy bills and prevent leaks from damage. Getting the proper amount of attic insulation can also increase a home’s value and curb appeal.

A curved or hipped roof can add architectural flair and beauty to a home. This roof type typically has a low slope and a rounded peak and can be used to support various home features, such as arched doors or window additions.

Another popular roof style is a dormer roof. A dormer is a projecting part of a roof that usually houses a window. Dormers can boost a home’s storage and living space, and they are often used in homes with steeply-pitched roofs.

Finally, the monitor roof is a unique roof shape with long sides that help boost natural lighting and air circulation. This roof is commonly seen on French Baroque-style buildings and can be made from a variety of materials, including copper and zinc.

Other types of roofs include the saltbox roof, which is asymmetrical with one side having a high slope and the other having a lower slope. A saltbox roof can be spotted on older Colonial or Cape Cod-style houses. Other roofs can feature gables on each end, dormer windows and more. Each type of roof has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it is important to understand what each one offers before deciding on a particular roof design.

Shingles

Roofing materials come in a wide variety of types and styles. Shingles, for example, can be made from wood or asphalt; metals come in a range of alloys and pure metals. Metal roofs are durable and usually rated for 40 to 70 years or more, while shingle roofs may last from 30 to 60 years. Both are susceptible to corrosion and other weathering, and both require periodic repairs.

Before doing any repairs, take a good look at your roof. Get up into the attic, crawlspace or whatever is your closest access point to the roof and examine it carefully. Look for stains, cracks or any other signs of water leakage. If you spot any, note them and write down where they are so you can repair them during your roof repair.

If you are planning to do a lot of work on the roof, it might be best to have a ladder that is rated for rooftop use, so you can safely get to the top and work on smaller areas at a time. It’s also a good idea to bring a first aid kit and plenty of water. Before you begin working, make sure that the ladder is firmly secured and have someone at the base to help if necessary.

Once you’re on the roof, start your roof repair by looking for and removing any damaged shingles. Loose shingles can allow water to seep through, and this can lead to mold and other problems. To fix a shingle, lift the tabs of the shingle two rows above the damaged area and loosen the adhesive strips beneath them with a pry bar. Slowly and carefully remove the shingle, trying not to break the nails on the surrounding ones.

When the repair is complete, put a bead of roof sealant (available for between $10 and $20 at home improvement stores) along the glue strip of the new shingle, then press it onto the shingle below it. This will seal the repair and protect it from the elements.

Check all other shingles for loose or missing pieces, and rescue them as needed. This can give your roof a big boost in its longevity, as regular “touch-ups” rescue loose and weathered shingles that would otherwise eventually cause leaks.

Flashing

Roof flashing is one of the most important components of a roofing system. It prevents water penetration into walls and other structures, which can cause wood rot or collapse of the roof deck. It also helps direct the flow of moisture in wall areas and stops leaks around chimneys, vent pipes, skylights and other protrusions. Flashing is made of thin pieces of impervious metal that are placed at joints in a building. It is usually copper, galvanized steel or aluminum and can be installed in conjunction with a waterproof barrier membrane system.

Professional roofers install flashing in areas where leaks are prone to occur. These include the roof valleys, where two downward slopes meet, and the area surrounding any roof penetrations such as chimneys, hood or pipe vents, or skylights. Flashing closes the gap between the shingle roof and the vertical wall or roof feature, keeping out moisture.

The flashing is typically laid between the underlayment and the shingles. The edges of the flashing are nailed or sealed to the shingle roof to create a weatherproof seal, and the top edge is bent over the top of the vertical wall or roof feature to protect the joint. The flashing can be made of a variety of materials, including lead, copper or galvanized steel, but is most often constructed of an L-shaped piece of metal that wraps over the intersection of the roof and wall.

This type of flashing is called step flashing and consists of rectangles of metal that are bent into an L-shape. The base of the L rests on the bottom of the wall, and the top is nailed to the roof surface. Additional flashing is then installed over the step flashing to keep out moisture that would otherwise seep into the vulnerable crease between the wall and the roof.

When a flashing leak occurs, it’s best to repair the problem immediately. Left unattended, a small leak from flashing can become a major problem that causes ceiling damage, rotting of framing and sheathing, mold and other serious problems for the structure of your home.

Gutters

Gutters are a crucial part of your roof, as they help to direct water away from your home. Without gutters, rainwater can accumulate around the house’s foundation and cause structural damage and basement flooding. Gutters also play an important role in preventing rot, mold, and mildew growth in your roof, fascia boards, and siding. Regularly checking your gutters and repairing any issues quickly can prevent more costly repairs in the future.

Gutter repair is a relatively easy project that most homeowners can accomplish with some basic tools. A good place to start is by cleaning the gutters and examining them for signs of damage, like holes or rust. If you notice any holes, fill them first with roofing cement or sealant. For larger holes, cut a piece of gutter flashing to size and slide it over the hole. Then, cover the seam with a layer of roof and gutter sealant, following the recommended drying or curing time on the packaging.

The downpipes that carry the rainwater from your roof are another area to examine and, if necessary, replace. If a section of the downpipe has worked loose, the reason is often that one of the clips holding it in place has become detached. Attempting to fix it by simply driving the nails or screws back in will only lead to further problems. Instead, remove the old clip and fit new ones with a matching screw or nail of the same size. If the downpipe is made from cast iron, a similar approach should be taken, but with the use of wall plugs and galvanised screws to match the existing hardware.

If your gutters are sagging or falling from the fascia boards, this is likely because they are being pulled by wind and the weight of snow. This is a good opportunity to install a more robust gutter system or add downspout outlets. If your gutters are leaking, it could be because the step flashing has been damaged by ice dams. Slip a strip of adhesive ice-and-water barrier, available where roofing products are sold, under the shingle and along the main gutters, to the point of overlap with the shingle overhang and valley flashing.