5 basic roof repair methods.

Here are some basic methods for repairing roof
leaks. In most cases, only a small amount of
material is needed. In fact, $100 worth of material
can fix many leaks.
Caulking can be used for many roof repairs,
providing it is done right. Here are some tips:
1. Use a good grade of caulk. Painters latex caulk
isn’t a good choice for roofing, because it won’t
last long. For a little more money, you can get
polyurethane sealant, which is a good choice for
many roofing applications.
2. To get a good bond, make sure the area to be
caulked is CLEAN AND DRY.
3. Don't just run a bead with a caulking gun. Work
the caulk into the joint. I haven’t found anything
that works as well as my finger for this.
“Three-coursing” is a quick and easy method to
stop almost any leak. When applied properly it is
compatible with just about any roof system. This is
how to do it right.
• Make sure the area is clean and dry.
• Spread a THIN layer of flashing cement over
the hole or crack and work it in to the
underlayment. Be sure to use flashing cement that
is compatible with the roof system you are
repairing.
• Test the adhesion by “patting” the cement with
your trowel. If you pat the cement and it comes up
with your trowel, the surface is too wet or too
dusty.
• Lay roofing membrane in the flashing cement
and work it in with your trowel. I like the strong
fiberglass type of membrane that comes in 4” wide
rolls. Unlike cotton membrane, you can’t rip it. You
have to cut it with scissors or a sharp knife.
• Spread another layer of flashing cement over
the membrane. Put just enough on so the fabric
mesh is not visible.
• For a final touch, the repair can be finished off
with roofing granules (applied when the cement is
fresh) or roof coating (applied after the cement has
set up).
Roof Coatings serve some useful purposes that
are discussed in Chapter Six. But generally
speaking, they are designed more for leak
PREVENTION than for leak REPAIRS.
However, roof coatings do go hand-in-hand with
the “three-course” method just described.
Coating can improve the appearance of the repairs
and more importantly, it will extend it’s life by
minimizing solar degradation.
Both white and aluminum coatings are available
for this purpose. They come in one gallon and five
gallon pails and can be applied with either a paint
brush or roller.
Again, make sure the surface you are applying it to
is both clean and dry.
Mending Tape is a relatively new material that is
excellent for many types of repairs. There are
several types made in several sizes by several
manufacturers. A company that specializes in this
type of product can be found in the Resource
Section.
Mending tape has a self-adhering backside that
sticks like crazy to just about anything. The
material is also flexible, so it can move with the
roofing as it expands and contracts.
And the top surface is white or silver to reflect
damaging UV rays.
Once again, make sure the roof surface is clean
and dry before installing the tape.
The stuff is “pressure sensitive” which means the
effectiveness of the bond depends on the amount
of force applied when installing it. A steel roller
helps you exert a strong, consistent pressure over
the entire patch.
Just replace it. When the roofing is damaged so
badly it can’t be repaired, it must be replaced. I’m
not talking about the whole roof, just the damaged
parts.
This is where that bundle of material leftover from
your reroofing project comes in handy. It’s the right
size, the right color and is available for “free” right
in your garage. You don’t have to spend thousands!
Macgregorroofing.commacgregorroofing.com