Repairing Flashing

If you can't find obvious damage to your roof, such as missing shingles or shakes, you can usually trace leaks to flashings or valleys.

Roof Valleys
Leaks in valley flashing usually occur where water backs up in the valley due to obstructions. The water flows over the edges of the flashing and runs under the rooding material. Fix this by clearing the valley of debris, which can act like a dam to back up water.

Next make sure that the roofing material in the valley is cut in a smooth, straight line.
If any of the material such as underlayment or a shingle, sticks out of the valley and under the shingles. To ensure against valley leaks, carefully raise composition shingles where they meet the valley flashing and coat the area with roofing cement. Then run a bead of caulk down the valley flashing right net to the shingles. On wood shingles or shakes, just run a bead of caulk along the edges where they extend onto the valley flashing.

A break in the metal flashing itself can cause a leak. If you find a break, repair it with aluminum patching tape and roofing cement. Cut off a length of tape to amply cover the hole, peel off the backing stick the tape in place and cover it with roofing cement.

Vents
Leaks occur around vent pipes when the caulk or roofing cement has shrunk or cracked. A new bead of cailk is the cure.

Selecting Gutters and Downspouts

 If a house were perfectly designed, the eaves would overhang far enough to shed rainwater to where it would cause no damage to the homes foundation. Few homes are ever made to this standard. In less than perfect homes gutters are used to carry runoff from the roof of your Colorado home and channel it into downspouts that direct it away from the foundation helping to keep the home safe and sturdy.

Gutters and downspouts are commonly made from vinyl, galvanized steel, or aluminum. Unless you're working on an authentic restoration, don't use copper and wood gutters because they are extremely expensive and difficult to install.

Vinyl and aluminum come in various color and it is easy to find something to match the aesthetics of your home. Most lumberyards and home centers stock them in white or dark brown any other colors are painted or special ordered. Galvanized metal gutters and downspouts are usually unpainted, so you can paint them to match your house.

Gutters and downspouts are sold in ten feet lengths which are easy to handle. Professionals install seamless aluminum gutters that are made on site by a machine that forms rolled aluminum stock into a gutter. Most gutters sold in lumberyards and home centers are 4 inches wide- adequate for most homes. A home where any roof section is larger that 750 square feet may require a larger gutter. Five inches is the next largest size and works well when there is heavier runoff.

How To Install Roll Roofing

Roll roofing comes in a variety of colors. It's a heavyweight composition roofing material that can be used on low-pitch roofs- down to a 1 in 12 slope with the concealed-nail method. This makes it useful on roofs where nothing else will work.

Roll roofing can crack in cold weather, so don't apply it when it's below 45 degrees F. To finish a job after the weather turns colsd store the rolls in a warm area prior to application.

Exposed- Nail Application

Apply roll roofing over a smooth deck, allowing a1/2 inch overhang along the eaves. Cut is flush with the rake edges and nail on a metal drip edge with galvanized roofing nails, 3/4 inch from the edge. Cover valleys with 18 inch-wide strips of roll roofing. Nail one side every 6 inches. Completely seat the strip in the valley and nail the other side.

Snap a chalk line across the roof 35.5 inches from the eaves to align the first course. Position the roll and nail it every 2 feet along the top. Put nails 3 inches apart at the rake and eave edges. If one sheet doesn't cover the roof, overlap the next piece by 6 inches. Nail the bottom section , apply roofing cement, then nail the ovelap in place.

Snap a chalk line 34 inches from the top edge of the first strip as a guide for the next one. Tack the upper edge of the seconf strip. Then spread a 2-inch-wide layer of roofing cement along the upper edge of the first strip and nail the seconf course over it.

If succeeding courser must be end-lapped, stagger the joints so that they are not directly above each other.

Removing an Old or Damaged Roof

If you have the time and money, it's best to remove an existing roof for any roofing job. If the existing roof is badly worn or uneven, you must remove it.  Most roofing contractors will be happy to supply you with a free roofing cost estimate for this project if you are not comfortable doing it yourself. Removing damaged roofing is important for the following reasons:

• The cushioning effect of the olf roof under the new alloes impacts from branches, hail and even hard rain to dent the new shingles
• Any curled shingles or other flawswill show through to the new shingles. 
• When completed, there are usually telltale signs of the previous roof, such as cureled shingles at the edge. 
• There is a limit to the number of layers- the wtight of the roof- a house can bear. 
• The maximum number of layers may be mandated by local building codes. 

Assessing the Roof's Condition
Inspect you roof thoroughly. If you find signs of leaking such as moisture, stains, delaminating or separating plywood and rot, it is imperative that you remove the existing rood and repair the framing. Ice dams or splashing from gutters often causes rot at the eaves. You can carefully strip off the first two or three courses of shingles, cut out the damage, and replace the removed shingles with similar new ones. This will give you an even surface for reroofing, but may take as much time and effort as stripping the whole roof which would provide a better surface.

What is the Lifespan of a Roof?

Many homeowners want to know one thing when installing a new roof-- how long will it last? This question is not as simple for home roofing professionals to answer as it may seem. A roof's longevity depends on many factors including the materials used, weather conditions, and amount of maintenance performed. Although many of the aspects affecting a roof's longevity are outside for human control, performing regular maintenance and repair is key to ensuring your roof will last as long as possible. Understanding what can damage a roof or lessen its life expectancy is key to maintaining a strong, sturdy home.

What a Roof Does
Roofs keep the elements from damaging the internal structure of your home. Precipitation, ice and wind can severely damage your home if  it is not well protected. The roof's effectiveness and lifespan depend on the installation techniques and materials. Using high quality materials when installing a new roof is the best way to ensure the roof will last for years to come. Although it is tempting to choose roofing materials based on the aesthetics of your home, you should choose the best material for your particular location and roof pitch.

Material Lifespans.
The lifespan of roofs differs greatly depending on the materials used. Asphalt shingles have an 20-30 year life expectancy under the best conditions. Wood shakes usually last for about 14-19 years with proper maintenance. Other materials like slat eand clay tiles will last for five decades if they are properly installed.

Common Roofing Questions

Every homeowner knows that your roof is one of the most important important components of a home. A roof is a major investment that requires regular maintenance and repairs. When properly maintained a roof's life span can be extended for decades. To understand the best practices of roof maintenance it is important to know the answers to some of the most commonly asked roofing questions. The following are answers to the top questions asked by homeowners.

When should I have a new roof installed?

If you are asking this question, it is likely you are already experiencing problems with your roof. There is no exact time that a roof should be replaced; however, if there are visible signs of wear, leaks, or cracked shingles, it is time to think about reroofing. Homeowners comfortable with the task can assess their roof's condition by checking for missing shingles or other damage on a ladder. If there are any leaks or the shingles look worn it is best to schedule time for a roofing contractor to come assess the roof's condition.

What should I consider when choosing a new roof?
Before you commit to completely replacing your roof you should consider if repairs could extend the life of your current roof. If your existing roof is beyond repair, it is time to start considering what you will look for in a new roof. The top two considerations are appearance and longevity. Roofing material is available in many different forms and each will offer differing impact resistance and style. When deciding on the right material take into account your location. Do you experience hail storms? South Denver roofing contractors in Hail Alley often recommend high impact resistant materials to help with longevity and insurance purposes. Consulting with a professional roofing contractor is the best way to decide on roofing material and style for your home.

How long will it take to install a new roof?
The installation time for a new roof is dependent on weather conditions, size of the home, and the pitch of the roof. The average roof can be installed in 2-3 days however larger, more complex projects can take 7-10 days to complete.



 What type of roof maintenance should I expect?
The best way to protect your investment is to keep it properly maintained. To start, your gutters should be cleaned at least twice annually. While clearing gutters always look for signs of damage that could be putting your roof at risk. Making minor repairs regularly will help you in avoiding larger, costly repairs to your roof and structure of your home. The lifespan of your roof depends on how committed you are to caring for it.

If you do not feel comfortable assessing and repairing problems with your roof a qualified roofing professional will be happy to help.