How to Fix a Roof

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If you've ever looked at your roof and wondered how it got into the condition that it's in, this article is probably for you. It's easy to look at a neighbor's roof and admire the condition that which they've maintained it, but it's harder to take responsibility for your own roof. What kinds of actions can you take on a regular basis to either restore your roof or prevent it from looking poor or even cluttered? How can you repair roof damage? What kind of habits will help you maintain a great roof? Let's look at a few of them.

• First, make sure your roof is properly sealed and laid out.

  The first key to maintaining a great roof is actually making sure that you have a great roof to maintain in the first place. If your roof is old and in serious need of repair, it might be time to hire some contractors to totally re-do it. If you don't have the money for that, you can at least ask a contractor for a little bit of work and even some tips for making some key improvements. For new homeowners, this is not usually a consideration, as the home will probably have a modernized roof that will be in great condition for a few years to come. At the very least, check your starting point and work your way towards a great roof from there.

• Second, make sure that your drainage is flawless.

  If a roof is capturing water and not removing it from the environment, you've definitely got a problem. Captured water can lead to wood rot and even make repairs extremely difficult. You'll want to not only make sure that your roof is totally waterproof, but that the rain falling on your roof is totally removed and directed where it needs to go. This means installing or maintaining a good gutter system that puts water in the right places. Don't only make sure that your gutters can handle a sturdy rainstorm, but that the water ends up harmlessly flowing out somewhere on your property. Use a rainstorm as an opportunity to inspect this system and show where you might need some changes.

• Third, install a leaf guard on your roof if you have trees nearby.

  One of the most annoying things to maintain on a great roof is clear gutters. Many gutters will collect not only rain, but the debris that falls onto your roof, clogging them and backing up your drainage system. That's why a leaf guard on your gutters will collect only water and leave debris somewhere else, making your roof easier to maintain.

Photo Credits: vm2827

Originally posted 2009-08-11 05:16:25.

This post involves:

gutters, rain, rainstorm, roof damage, roof drainage, roofing, wood rot

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Handyman, How to Fix

Posted by Fix Handyman on March 13, 2010 in Handyman, How to Fix

How to Fix an Old Gutter and Make It New

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If there's one thing that separates the do-it-yourself professionals from the amateurs, it's the ability to conserve. Using old things in new ways is the hallmark of the savvy home improvement fanatic, and nothing is when it comes to gutters. If you have an old gutter and want to install a modern rain removal system, there's no reason you can't teach the old dog new tricks and make it work it better ways. It will save you money and time, so why not?

The first thing you'll want to do with an old gutter is to clean it off - cracked-on dirt, debris, and dust can hide some leaks and holes that you need to know about. Be generous with the house and scrub the thing so that it looks as new as it can. After you've let it dry a little, try running some water through it as a test. If there are any leaks or holes, it's time to make sure that those leaks are no more.

In order to repair a leak or a hole in your old gutter, you're going to need to re-seal it. Gutter sealer from your hardware store (if you have caulk-like substances around the house, you might be able to use those) will fill the cracks and trap the water like the gutter was originally meant to. Be sure to check the overlapping on these old gutters, as they are sometimes less efficient than modern ones and may need to be sealed themselves.

Small holes and leaks aren't the only ways you can salvage an old gutter - even the big gaping cracks can be fixed if you have the right materials. If you have two old gutters, for example, you can use the metal of one of them to replace the metal of the other; if you use some roof cement you should be able to press one piece of metal to the other, sealing it off and making the old gutter like new. It might not be the prettiest gutter in the world, but you don't exactly have to put it out front for everyone to see.

Remember that gutters are rarely used for decoration: their primary function is simply to move water in a way that keeps the house dry and interacts with the natural environment. When you come across an old gutter that you think might have some life in it, don't necessarily toss it away instantly. Instead, ask yourself more practical questions, like what you can do with the metal, whether you can salvage the gutter, and where it might belong if it can be salvaged. It's up to you to make the most of your possessions. Will you?

Photo Credits: Mitia dd

This post involves:

cracks, debris, dirt, gutter, gutters, hardware store, holes, home improvement, leaks, money, rain, roof cement

... and focuses on:

Handyman, How to Fix, gutters

Posted by Fix Handyman on August 13, 2009 in Handyman, How to Fix, gutters