Category: Roof Repair

What Does It Look Like: Flashing are thin pieces of metal that are installed under shingles. They are generally found at joints of your roof in order to create a water-resistant barrier, which can be concealed or exposed. When exposed, they will look like long runs of sheet metal and, if concealed, they will have a rubberized coating overtop. Broken flashing will feature large cracks

Why It Happens: Roofers often use tar to seal the flashing together but that can corrode over time. In the event that your flashing is left exposed, elements like wind and rain could be the reason behind its crack.

How To Fix It: The first thing to do is of course locate the source of the leak. Next, you will need to pry up the nails used to secure the old flashing. To do this, lift any shingles out of the way and remove the cracked segment. Gently put a new run of flashing in its place, fasten the new flashing in the same pattern as your old piece using roofing nails. Finally, and most importantly, apply a coat of roofing sealant to the nail heads.

What Does It Look Like: These are pretty easy to spot. Since shingles are the exterior layer of a roof, you should be able to identify missing shingles by seeing different colored patches on your roof. Alternatively, you may find the shingles themselves littering your yard after a heavy monsoon storm.

Why It Happens: Again, weather. High winds and heavy rains.

How To Fix It: Slide a pry bar underneath the row of nails that connects the damage shingle to the one below it. Lift up until the nail pops and then press down on the shingle while you remove the nail. Repeat for the remaining nails. Pull out the damaged shingle, replace it with a new one, and secure it with 4-5 new nails.

What Does It Look Like: Roof vents are those things that look like small pipes sticking out of the top of your roof. They’re used to expel excess moisture from the inside of the house. Leaks from this area will likely leave corresponding dark spots (and mustiness).

Why It Happens: Roofers often use tar to seal the flashing together but that can corrode over time. In the event that your flashing is left exposed, elements like wind and rain could be the reason behind its crack.

How To Fix It: The first thing to do is of course locate the source of the leak. Next, you will need to pry up the nails used to secure the old flashing. To do this, lift any shingles out of the way and remove the cracked segment. Gently put a new run of flashing in its place, fasten the new flashing in the same pattern as your old piece using roofing nails. Finally, and most importantly, apply a coat of roofing sealant to the nail heads.