How To Restore Your Roof After You Discover The Eaves And Gable Ends Are Rotting
The eaves and gable ends are usually one of the first areas of a roof that show signs of rotting when the structural integrity of your roof has been compromised. They can be a sign that other aspects of your roof, such as the shingles or the underlayment, are also damaged. Fortunately, you can repair these areas of your roof without having to replace the rest of your roof. There are several steps you'll need to take to fix your roof.
Replace Rotting Plywood
To repair the roof, you will first need to identify the rotting areas of your roof. You must lift the shingles and check the underlayment underneath. For damaged areas, lift the shingles to expose the underlayment underneath. Check the plywood and remove anything that is damaged. You can remove these sections with a circular saw and then nail a new piece of decking in place.
Inspect the Underlayment for Damage
If you live in a cold climate, you'll need a water-ice barrier to protect your roof. It's a type of underlayment that is made out of rubberized material. It's held in place by nails and forms a seal when the nails are driven into it. However, the underlayment can become damaged and cannot protect your home. You'll need to have it replaced by a roofing contractor if you discover that it's damaged.
Check the Shingles for Damage
Some of the shingles may be out of place or damaged. Fortunately, you can purchase additional shingles in the same style as your old ones. Then, remove the nails holding the damaged shingles, put the new shingles in place, and hammer in the nails. Most importantly, place an adhesive over the nail hole so that moisture does not leak through the shingle and cause moisture problems for your roof.
Make Sure the Drip Edge Is in Place
A sheet metal drip edge will protect the fascia of your roof. This drip edge should extend past the fascia board to allow the runoff to drain to your gutters. You can secure the drip edge with roofing cement. You need to apply the cement over the top of the drip edge.
Know When to Call a Professional
While you could repair your roof yourself, doing so is dangerous. You'll have to get up on your roof and risk falling off. If you make a mistake while repairing your roof, you may cause more long-term damage. It makes more sense to hire a professional roofing contractor to fix and inspect your roof for other signs of wear.
Contact a local roofing contractor to learn more.
