Helpful Roof and Siding Repair Tips

man fixing a roof

The U.S. siding and insulation market is worth $42.4 billion, with more than 50,000 roofing companies.

Is your roof leaky? Has the siding lost its aesthetic appeal? Both roofing and siding enhance the appearance of a home. They also offer maximum protection against adverse weather conditions.

However, these protection layers become worn out with time, hence the need for repair or replacement. This guide will discuss everything you should know about roof and siding repair, as well as the best tips you should follow.

Read through them carefully to keep your roof and siding in excellent condition at all times.

Roof Repair

With storms, winds, and hurricanes hitting the roofs, it’s no surprise that many roofs don’t last for the estimated 50 years. But the good thing is that homeowners can repair the common roof issues as they arise. Here are helpful tips on how to repair your roof:

Understand the Problem

The first step for solving a problem is to know the cause. Why do you need the repair? The three main reasons why roofs need repair include the following:

  • The roof is old– Aging weakens the roofing materials, making them less effective.
  • Rooftop holes– The holes can come from storms, too much rain, and other adverse weather conditions.
  • Clogging– Excessive dust, debris, or garbage disposals can affect your roof.

When you know the cause, it becomes easier for you to initiate a great corrective measure. 

Clean the Roof

It’s advisable to clean the roof before you start the repair process. By cleaning, you get rid of the large clogs and debris that could interfere with your repair process.

You should clean the gutters too as you clean the other parts of your roof. Most gutters act as the depository points for the entire roof’s dirt. If not cleaned well, the clogs can block water and cause other problems, including the development of mold and mildew.

You can clean manually or using the cleaning machines. If the roof is extensive, you might need a helping hand to ensure that you do a great job.

Remove the Ice Buildups

If you live in cold areas, the chances are high that your roof has many ice build-ups. The ice is not always easy to clean using the regular cleaning agents, and that’s why you should remove them separately.

To remove the ice, you will need special ice removal tools and a ladder. Note that the ice removal process is quite hard and might take a few days if the rooftop is large. Nevertheless, the final results should be impressive.

Don’t Leave Moss

It’s not strange to find moss on your roof. Though harmless, too much moss might lower the value of your house. It might also interfere with the quality of water you collect through your gutter.

Unlike the other types of dirt, moss is light and easy to remove. You can get rid of it using a soft brush and water. When cleaning, you should be gentle to avoid damaging your shingles. If the moss is widespread, you can consider hiring an expert to help you in the removal process.

Seal the Old Mounting Holes

It’s normal to note tiny holes on your roof. The source of those holes could be old satellite disks, old solar panels, old vents, etc. 

While the holes are easy to ignore, the truth is that they can become extensive with time and cause massive damages. That’s why experts from this roofing company recommend homeowners to patch the holes with cement, bead, or other solid materials.

If the holes are wide, then a contractor should advise on the best way forward.

Replace the Missing Shingles

Shingles become loose due to aging or wear and tear. This means that your roof shingles may easily fall off after a strong wind, even if they are still new. When that happens, you should replace them as soon as possible before they fall off.

The replacement is quite easy because you only need to remove the nails binding the shingles together. After removing the nails, you should pick the shingles with ease.

Should you decide to replace the shingles with the newer ones, you should consider a matching color to the old one. Mismatching can affect the aesthetic look and the value of your house if you plan to sell it. You can seek the help of an expert if you experience challenges.

Get a Helper

A roof repair job is not for the fainthearted. Though it might be cheap, the process might be tedious and consume your precious time. If you do it alone, you may get tired or end up making many mistakes.

A helper can come in handy when you are on the rooftop. They can help you in placing the ladder, assembling the tools, and performing other tasks too.

Fix the Gutters

As mentioned earlier, gutters are part of your roof. In addition to removing clogs, you should repair the broken/bent parts of the gutter. 

If the problem is beyond repair, then you may consider replacing the entire gutter system. You should also trim the nearby trees so that they don’t litter your new gutters with excess dry leaves and twigs.

Siding Repair

Siding is an excellent method of protecting the exterior parts of the house. 

Homeowners use different siding materials, including wood, vinyl, aluminum, and glass. Each siding material has its pros and cons, so it’s advisable to review each material carefully to choose the best.

The average cost of siding repair is $752 per sq. The prices vary according to the material, the maintenance, and the contractor. Here are helpful tips on how to repair siding:

Pressure Wash the Siding

Sometimes, a pressure wash is all that your siding needs to gain that newer and fresher look. Pressure washing removes all sorts of dirt, debris, ink, and other types of stains on the siding.

You don’t need to buy a pressure washer if your budget is tight. You only need to rent it out or hire the pressure washing experts to clean your siding. After the cleaning, you may realize that only dirt was interfering with the curb appeal of your siding.

Nevertheless, even if there are more damages that need repair, the cleaning can help you view the siding well to have a straightforward repair process.

Get the Right Tools

The right tools facilitate the process of removing the old/damaged siding material and replacing the newer one. Some of the tools that you might need include a scoring tool, nail puller, knife, tape, and chalk line.

You might also need a caulk gun or a patch depending on the material you intend to use for the replacement. If you are doing DIY repair, then you should gather all the tools before you start the process.

Paint or Treat the Wood Siding Before Repair

You should paint the wooden siding before you install it. Painting increases the durability of the wood and also makes it more resistant to pests.

Note that each type of wood requires a different kind of paint. Cedar, for instance, requires the best quality acrylic paint. Be sure to involve a siding and roofing expert in the painting stage for the best results.

Repair as Soon as Possible

Broken or rotten clapboards show that the siding no longer does its job. That siding can let in water, air, and even dust into your walls/house. Moreover, the damage may become extensive if you don’t take immediate action. 

For your safety, you should repair the damages as soon as you see them. A great siding contractor can inspect the clapboards, determine the extent of damage, and initiate a solution.

The same case applies to shingles. They have the same repair and replacement process as the clapboards. If it’s a DIY, you should take the current measurements for the siding, examine the level of damage, and look for replacement shingles.

You should observe accuracy throughout the process, especially when dealing with glass siding. 

Match Your Siding

As mentioned, sidings come in many materials. Vinyl is the most popular material due to its versatility. For aesthetic purposes, you should match your siding after repair.

For instance, if you only repair a segment of your wood siding, then you should replace it with timber too. Otherwise, it would lose its appearance if you add another material.

Consult a Roof and Siding Repair Professional

There are many reasons why you might need to repair your roof or siding. Maybe, it’s old or worn-out, or maybe you just need a change. Whatever your reason is, it’s advisable to consult the best roof and siding repair professional first.

The expert should inspect the roof, the siding, and the entire house to help you make the best choice. However, you must confirm that the contractor is experienced and reputable.

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