For those with limited to no DIY skills, repairing or replacing a faulty roof will seem like a complex job. A skilled roofer, however, will know how to fix most kinds of roof damage.
Knowing the lifespan of your roofing material and how the local climate will affect it can help you decide when repair or replacement is necessary.
Roofing Services in Tampa
Many Tampa roofing contractors will offer the same or similar services, such as:
- Roof inspections that look for:
- General repair and maintenance
- Shingle and tile repair
- Installation or replacement
- Weatherproofing
- Insulating
- Ventilating
- Flashing repair
- Soffit and fascia repair
- Roof cleaning (pressure washing mildew, moss and buildup)
- Sealing, treating or painting (especially for wood or metal roofs)
- Debris removal
- Skylight repair or replacement
- Solar panel installation
It’s still best, however, to talk directly with the roofing company about its services. You can expect to pay anywhere from $38 to $57 for labor alone for roofing work.
You can also use the scheduled roof repair or replacement time to check your gutters. Some professionals work exclusively with gutters, but many roofing pros are also skilled in gutter and window care. If your pro allows it, bundling projects together could help you save money in the long run.
Signs You Need Roof Repair
If your roof needs repair, a few things—such as pest damage—will clue you in. According to a recent Forbes Home survey, 50% of homeowners experienced home damage caused by pests. Additionally, if you see interior or exterior damage or find sunlight leaking in through unintentional holes in the roof, you may need to schedule a repair.
The following types of roof damage are other things to look out for, as they may signal the need for repairs.
Natural Damage
Nature can often cause all types of damage to your roof. Broken tree branches, moderate winds and routine rainstorms are common, though, so most roofing materials should be able to withstand them. However, when more extreme weather conditions arise, it’s best to have a professional check your roof for damages.
Installation Issues
When you’re able to see extensive amounts of tar covering the flashing directly after a roof installation or repair, it’s highly likely that the job was done poorly. You may also need to check for kick-out flashing that’s missing from the bottom or dormer wall intersections. The good news is most skilled roofing contractors can add the missing components so you don’t have to buy a new roof.
Leaks
While roof leaks are bad, finding the leak in question can be even more challenging. And houses with flat or pitched roofs are more prone to leaks than others because the material they’re made of (typically tar, rubber or plastic) degrades faster than other surfaces like stone or clay.
Improper Ventilation
Homes with poor ventilation may experience more roofing problems. And you’ll know you have a ventilation problem if there’s condensation anywhere in your attic, under your roof or elsewhere. It’s helpful to also monitor your attic for delaminating (separating of layers) plywood. When the temperature rises in spring and summer, you may notice that the higher floors in your home won’t stay cool. If that’s the case, your attic may benefit from additional venting. A professional can help fix the problem and determine whether you need a repair or an entirely new vent system.