Asphalt Shingle Roofing and Folsom Roof Repair

Nearly four-fifths of American homes have asphalt shingle roofs–and for good reason. Asphalt shingles are economical and fairly easy to install and repair. The two basic types are composition and fiberglass-base shingles.

Composition shingles are made of organic felt manufactured from wood and paper fibers. Fiberglass-base shingles are made of manmade fiberglass mat. Both kinds are soaked in asphalt, but the fiberglass base shingles are more fire-resistant than the organic ones. Asphalt shingles have mineral granules embedded in them; when you find these granules washing away, it’s a sign that you need to repair or replace your shingles

Although asphalt shingles may look like individual tabs, they are generally manufactured in 3-foot-long strips that are notched to look like smaller units. They come in a variety of weights. Generally speaking, the heavier the shingles, the longer they last.

Make roof repairs on a warm day, when shingles are more flexible (and therefore less likely to crack) and roofing cement spreads more easily.

Common Asphalt-Shingle Roofing Problems

Roofing problems make themselves known in the form of leaks and drips. Repair leaky roofs before ceilings and walls are damaged; better yet, check your roof at least once a year before the storm season (and after a major storm, if necessary).

Make your repairs when the weather is clear.

High winds can tear off shingles, particularly if they’ve become brittle with age. Ice and snow can cause shingles to crack, as can hot sun and heavy rain.

Check your roof regularly for bald spots, cracked or curled shingles, or an absence of mineral granules, usually exhibited by an accumulation in your gutters.

Bend any questionable shingles back to see if they have some give. If they crumble easily or appear gray and bloated, they may need replacing.

Replace existing shingles with any that remain from the original roof installation or buy new ones of the same type, color, and size if possible. Don’t remove damaged shingles from ridges–instead, nail each corner of the existing shingle in place and cover with a new one.

Shingle Maintenance

Roofing cement can work wonders on an asphalt-shingle roof. If shingles are cracked or beginning to tear, seal the cracked or torn areas with roofing cement.

Also use roofing cement to press torn or curled shingles into place and to cover exposed nail heads.

Asphalt Roof Shingle Repair

Lift the tab above the shingle that has been damaged and pry out the nails that hold the one you want to replace.

Snip off the top corners of the replacement and slide it up under the existing shingles, being careful not to tear the roofing felt.

Nail on the new shingle, placing the nails under the shingle above. After driving in the nails, daub the nail heads with roofing cement.

While you are on the roof, check the roof flashing for corrosion or pinholes and repair with roofing cement (you may need to lift up a flap of shingles to get access to the flashing).

1) On a warm day, lift shingles to expose nails of damaged one. Pry out nails.

2) Slip replacement in place under up-roof shingles.

3) Nail by hammering against a pry bar placed on nail heads.

2) Beneath the asphalt shingles on a roof’s surface, you’ll find roofing felt, sheathing, and the roof’s structure

Diy roofing and building diy – How to install asphalt roof shingles : Easy roof building diy for your gazebo, outdoor living / outdoor room, patio,garden shed,garage or pergola. Prepare the roof with horizontal and vertical chalk lines.
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When it comes to a roofing project you may want to look around and get some advice on which is considered the best shingle roof for your home.  Depending on the amount of money you want to spend you can purchase anything from metal, tile, asphalt, and cedar.  Decide if you want a company to install the shingles or if you want to do it yourself. 

Sears for example handles home improvements and does roofing projects.  They could easily be one company to consider with regarding the types of shingles you should consider when thinking of replacing your roof.  Your goal would be to find something that would be of high quality so you would have years of leak free shingles.  If you are thinking of installing the shingles yourself, you must realize that it is back breaking work and if it gets above seventy degrees it is going to be hot on that roof.  You risk dehydration, fatigue and dizziness the hotter the temperature gets up on the roof.  You run the risk of falling too.

Asphalt roof shingles can be made to look like slate; they come in all colors and vary in quality.  If this is your first roofing job you may want to consider do one with a shallow pitch that you can walk across with the fear of falling.  When it comes to color, if you are not sure what to use, you can easily pick up one bundle and lay them out on the roof and step away and look at it to see how the texture and color looks.  Your best bet if you do it yourself it to purchase your supplies from a roofing wholesaler.  The managers are the best to give you a quick lesson on quality.  The price per square foot is a good indicator of the quality too.  The higher it goes the higher the quality of the shingle you are purchasing.

If you are thinking of putting an asphalt roof over your existing roof check with your local building department making sure it is an acceptable building code.  Most roofing companies will take the old roof off before putting on the new one.  This accomplishes a couple of things, it allows an inspection of the existing roof and if there is wood damage then it can be repaired.  It there is a moisture problem it can be dealt with before the new roof is put on.  This comes in very handy if you have sky lights or a chimney or even exhaust fans.  Look over the roof and make sure the wood is fastened securely and take care of any small repairs while it is exposed before placing the shingles on the roof.

If you are in a high humid area then you may want to consider buying roof shingles that contain copper in the colored ceramic granules.  Copper is a natural biocide that kills common roof algae.  This is what is responsible for the black streaks that you see on many residential roof shingles.  Attention to detail is very important when you replacing your roof.  Whether you do it yourself or decide to have a company come in and install the roof for you, take your time and have the job done right.

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