Roof Repair
Providing your Montana home with a solid, dependable roof.
Your roof is NOT simply a top layer of shingles, tiles or exterior membrane exposed to the elements, viewed from the street.
Each part of your roofing system then plays an integral part in waterproofing and protecting your home.
There are many signs to tell whether your not your roof needs some serious attention! There are also plenty of causes as to why may need a roof replacement. Did you know that if your home has asphalt shingles for the roof, you should get it repaired every 15-30 years? If your home has composition shingles, then it’s every 12-20 years! If your home’s roof has had its fair share of weather damage, and seems to show symptoms of destruction, Fisher Family Construction can offer you a free estimat
Water Leak in the Attic
After strong storms, take a look in your attic for any signs of leaking. Damming of ice can also cause water to enter the house if you don’t have adequate shingle underlayment, or if the flashing has deteriorated. If you see your attic leaking, you may want to look into our roof restorations.
Blistering or Peeling of Interior or Exterior Paint
When paint starts to peel off, the cause is likely trapped moisture in the house due to excessive temperature or high humidity from poor attic ventilation. The air in the attic needs to flow freely from the soffit to the ridge to reduce humidity. Make sure there is a vent in areas such as the kitchen or bathroom. Dryers should vent outside.
Stains on Interior Ceilings and Walls
If you see stains or, even worse, mold growth inside your home, it may be caused by inadequate or faulty shingle underlayment that is allowing water to seep into the house. Inadequate ventilation could also be the culprit, which causes excessive moisture— conditions in which mold and mildew thrive.
Exterior Decay, Sheathing or Siding
Poor attic ventilation is again a possible cause of roofing damage, but any condition that results in excess moisture can contribute to decay. One way to combat the problem is to put a vapor barrier between the insulation and the inside of the house, which can reduce the amount of moisture that goes into a wall and help the moisture escape from the wall.
Missing, Cracked or Curled Shingles
If you see that your shingles are dry or practically break when touched, that means they have reached the end of their useful life and it’s time to invest in a roof replacement or at least a roof repair!
Dark, "Dirty-Looking" Areas On Your Roof
This could mean your roof has vegetation, fungus, mold, or algae growth, or that the shingles’ protective granules have been lost. This doesn’t mean you need a roof shingles repair, but a roof repair can reduce curb appeal. Cleaning the shingles is an option, but that could shorten their life.
Higher Cooling Costs
A possible cause of higher cooling costs could be insufficient attic ventilation, requiring the cooling system to run excessively. In warm weather, inadequate ventilation will trap hot air in the attic, causing air-conditioning systems to work harder, or leaving your home’s interior hotter and less comfortable. In both hot and cold weather, moisture in the attic can become trapped and condense on the rafters if it’s not insulated properly. This moisture can drip down onto the insulation and reduce its effectiveness, potentially increasing energy costs, causing more roofing problems. Contact our experienced roofers in Montana and get help today!
Roof Structure Terminology
RAKE: Although its name implies that it is a type of tool, when one is referring to the anatomy of a roof, the rake is actually a certain area of the roof. More precisely, it is the perimeter edge that extends between the ridge and the eave. It typically is perpendicular to both of those parts.The eave and rake both play key roles in keeping water from entering a home.
1 of 14Hip: A hip roof is a style of roof in which the roof has four sides which all slope towards the eaves. Hipped roofs, as they are also called, are used in architecture all over the world, and there are a number of variations on the basic design. This type of roof can be a bit challenging to construct, but it requires less support and bracing than some other roof designs, and it creates a very even, solid appearance which some people find aesthetically pleasing.
2 of 14Gable End Vent: Gable vents go on the ends of the house where the peak is and let the attic breathe. At the top point of the triangle.
3 of 14Roof Vent: A properly vented roof is vital to the performance of the insulation and the roofing system itself. An improperly or inadequately vented roof can lead to condensation on the underside of the roof. This condensation can cause the roof structure to rot and can drip into the insulation, ruining it and causing mold.
4 of 14Valley: A valley is defined as the trough formed where two adjacent slopes of a roof meet. Every pitched roof has one or more peaks, and some pitched roofs have one or more valleys. Valleys can be difficult areas in which to properly install composition shingles. Use any of three shingle installation methods devised to provide a watertight covering for valleys.
5 of 14Chimney Flashing: A chimney is an area of the roof particularly vulnerable to water damage. Chimney flashing creates a water-resistant shell around the chimney, but flashing can be damaged, resulting in leaks. Repairing chimney flashing is dicey. Once the system of overlapping metal plates is compromised, sealing provides only a temporary fix. The best tactic for repairing damaged chimney flashing is to remove the old material and replace it. This will cost a little more and take some time, but in the long run, your house will be better protected from severe damage caused by leaky flashing.
6 of 14Rafter: Roof rafters are one of the most important parts of any type of roof. They are generally made of two-by-four lumber and are used to form the pitch of a roof. They come from each side of the roof and meet in the middle to form what looks like a V.
7 of 14Soffitt: A soffit is the horizontal strip of timber that sits on the underside of the eave, the overhanging portion of a roof. Soffits are prone to rotting and water damage because of their location. Often, inadequate gutters or badly designed waterproofing methods are to blame for soggy, crumbling soffits.
8 of 14Drip Edge: To help guide rainwater or melted snow into the gutters, a drip edge is often necessary. When a drip edge is not present, stray drops of water can cling to the roof and result in deterioration of the materials. However, with a drip edge in place around the rake and eaves, runoff from the roof drains into the gutter properly.
9 of 14Felt Undrelayment: Felt paper, more commonly known as tar paper, is the underlayment placed on a roof before shingles are nailed on. This covering essentially seals the roof and acts as a moisture barrier, and is just as essential as putting on shingles. Virtually every roof that is shingled will have a layer of felt applied, and as long as it stays covered, will last as long as the shingles themselves.
10 of 14Plywood Sheeting: Roof sheeting is the wood deck of which shingles are fastened to after felt paper is installed. It is used to protect the roofs of houses, sheds, or garages from the elements. It is a very important part of all aspects of construction. Many different types of roof sheeting are available to choose from and each type has its strengths and weaknesses.
11 of 14Eave: The eave is the horizontal edge that sticks out past the exterior wall. Because the rake and eave are vulnerable areas, they need reinforcements to help keep a structure from sustaining water damage.
12 of 14Eave, Ice, and Snow Guard: Snow guards are small brackets that home and business owners mount to their sloping roofs to prevent snow or ice from falling to the ground. These guards hold the snow in place until temperatures rise above freezing and can melt away the snow. Without these guards, accumulated snow can pose a threat to bystanders below and cause damage to gutters, shingles, tree branches and vehicles.
13 of 14Fascia: The final additions to the trim and roof are the installation of fascia and soffit. The fascia may be made of vinyl or wood. Using wood is a bit more challenging and is also a bit more prone to rot if moisture gets behind it and attacks the rafter ends. Installation requires a period of dry hot days to dry the wood before placement. Your gutter system fastens to the fascia.
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