While many homeowners enjoy performing do-it-yourself projects around the house on the weekends, most of them choose to add paint to the interior or exterior of the home. Others elect to install new bathroom fixtures, change the flooring in the home, or simply work on the landscaping. However, there is a significant home improvement project that any homeowner can perform that can save the roof.
Independent of where the homeowner resides in the country, nearly every house has the same issues regarding the roof. When the gutter system becomes overflowed, or plugged up due to a clogged drain, it can cause significant damage to the roof. This is often a result of a buildup of leaves, branches, twigs and debris that gets lodged either in the gutter, or the downspout.
Significant damage can be caused to the roofing system when the gutter remains clogged with debris and leaves. It is quite easy for the water to get up underneath shingles or tile and cause damage along the fascia boards and the plywood residing just beneath the tile or shingles. The only way to ensure that the roof will remain in proper condition is to keep the gutter system operating as it is design.
What to Do If You Find a Leak in Your Roof
Look leaks are nothing to laugh about. But they are also nothing to panic over either. With the right knowledge, you can take control of the situation with confidence, and find the proper solutions in a convenient time frame. Continue reading to learn which steps to take next toward a safe and effective solution if you have just discovered a minor to moderate, slow roof leak. On the other hand, for emergency service and repair you should immediately contact a licensed and local roofing contractor if you have just had a major rupture in your roof that has resulted in a severe leak.
Minor to Moderate Roof Leaks
Even they are still an area that requires immediate attention and remediation when roof leaks are minor to moderate in nature, or slowly leaking. The longer a leak continues the more damage it can do overtime. This includes costly structural damages, as well as health risks associated with mold inhalation. Even a single drip is something to be concerned about. Furthermore, a small leak can quickly turn into a larger one. The best course of action to take upon discovering a leak in your roof is to gather materials to control the water flow, before any immediate damage can be done to your carpets, flooring, floorboards, and dry wall. If you do not have all the recommended materials, do your best to manage the leak with whatever you have on hand.
Here’s what you can use:
- Dry Towels and Rags
- Plastic Tarps or 40 GL Trash Bags
- Large Bucket or Garbage Receptacle
- Floor Fans
Is a Rubber Roof a Good Choice for My Home?
Rubber roofing is more accurately referred to as EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) roofing, and is the most common thermoset roof membrane in the industry. EPDM is mainly contains two compounds, ethylene and propylene, which are derived from oil and natural gas. In terms of installation, there are a few options. Most often, they are either fully-adhered, mechanically attached using batten bars, or ballasted.
Advantages
- One of the main advantages of EPDM systems are the cost-savings. It is one of the most inexpensive, quality roofing options compared to other materials.
- The majority of investment will be for the professional installation, since it requires specialized training, equipment, and resources. In comparison to other options, this is still much cheaper.
- If you are looking for a quality product that lasts a long time and doesn’t break the bank, EPDM is something you should consider.
- Another admirable advantage is the ease of installation.
- There is little-to-none construction, making installation quick and simple to do.
- The product is lightweight, flexible, and easier to work with, so contractors can get the job done in as little as one day (in most cases), which also reduces labor costs incurred by the homeowners.
- •Furthermore, the test of time can be stood by the rubber roofing. Delivering an average lifespan of 50 years or moret is durable and long-lasting.
- It is also resistant to high winds, inclement weather, harmful UV rays, fading, and more. With less seams and openings, the risk of water leakage is reduced significantly.
- Maintenance is also virtually non-existent. Homeowners may choose to repaint after 10 years or so; but this is not always necessary.
- Lastly, in the case that your rubber roof would need repaired, you can expect repairs to be easy, quick, and cheap.
- It is easier to fix rubber roofing than most other materials.
- For minor repairs, all your contractor might need is a tube of liquid rubber or special tape. This is usually the case.