So, how did your roof do over the winter? Had a chance to take a quick look at it yet? See any shingles that look a little worse for the wear and tear?
Rugged winter weather and the freeze-thaw cycle can usually find your roof’s weak links, those individual shingles that aren’t up to the task. Maybe they’re outright broken-off or just cracked, with a newfound tendency to flap in the breeze. Perhaps there’s some shingle debris in the yard.
If you’ve noticed any signs of damage, now’s the time to bring in a professional to inspect your roof and carry out needed repairs. And remember, if the damage seems to stem from a recent storm, don’t forget to contact your insurance company. The repairs may be covered by your homeowner’s policy.
Iconic Roofing & Exteriors serves Delaware’s Wilmington and New Castle region, along with the adjoining parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We can provide a wide range of home services, including the repair of any type of shingle roof, up to and including a full resurfacing if needed.
Any signs of damaged shingles should be dealt with immediately. They are there for a reason, which is to keep water away from the underlying roof sheathing and everything under it—namely, your home. Water damage is insidious and can escalate quickly.
Some people can probably do a small repair job involving only a few shingles—if they don’t mind heights and know how to work safely in such circumstances. But plenty of folks don’t and there’s no shame in that. Falls are the leading cause of accidental death in American homes, which is something to keep in mind. We always do when we’re on a roof.
And don’t worry, we don’t mind small jobs.
Replacing shingles is a pretty straightforward process. Finding new ones that match the color of the existing roof is the first step. Then it’s a matter of carefully removing the nails from the sealer strip of the broken shingles that need replacing, sliding them out, and installing new ones—while being careful not to damage other parts of the roof in the process.
Sometimes cracked shingles don’t even need replacing, just the expert application of the proper sealant. Sort of like grouting bathroom tile, but with a more rugged product formulated for exterior use.
One salient fact to keep in mind is that if the roof is more than 15 years old, repairs may not be the way to go. At a certain point, more and more shingles are going to fail due to age; the ones you’ve just noticed are just the first wave of what will become an ongoing issue.
The best first step is to get a professional up on the roof to do a close inspection. We have the expertise to gauge what is really going on and then provide the best strategy to ensure that your structure is fully protected from the elements.
It’s also easy to inspect the building’s gutters—which are crucial to keeping a roof in tip-top shape—while we’re up there.
If you have any concerns about your roof shingles, please contact Iconic Roofing & Exteriors.
