Roofs are arguably the most significant areas of our homes and properties. Try and imagine a life with no roofs; buildings would practically be inhabitable.

Roofs take all the beating from hail, showers, snow and other elements of the weather condition while we stay underneath them warm and dry going about with our activities. However, these rooftops can only protect us for a certain period and they go through various types of damages.

If you wish to see one delivering you for a long time, it is sensible to invest in roof repairs from time to moment so that any little problem with it can be addressed before it becomes significant and force you to invest more or even replace the entire roof.

Going about roof fixing projects is not a straightforward thing because you need to address several concerns. Who is the best roof repair contractor in Dublin for the job?

How much will the repair work cost?

How often should the professional come to check out the roof?

What if the roof is restored and the problem keeps on persisting?

What types of problems are roofs susceptible to in Dublin?

These kinds of are without a doubt some of the questions that will linger in your head when preparing for a roof repair project. This guide will look into some essential aspects surrounding roof repairs so that at the end of it all, you won't be lost and will have an excellent idea of how to tackle such tasks. Read on;

Most Common Types Of Roof Repair Problems in Cork

Nowadays, you are not limited to anything when picking a roofing material. This part will look into some of the most common damages on your roof and how they can be fixed.

1. Wind Damages.
These kinds of damages mostly impact slant roofs since the roofing material acts as an obstacle to the wind. The wind can damage the roof in many ways, and the most common one is blowing off the building material from some section of the roof.

Fixing blow off damages form wind is not complicated because all one has to do is to change the material that has been blown off. The new material should be attached to the base of the roof securely to prevent further damage from winds.

2. Structural Damages.
These damages come in various forms and could even be caused by winds and storms. They are the ones where some plants and items around the house fall on the roof and cause destruction. A good example is a tree blown down by a windstorm and falling on a roof thus causing damage. The impact of such building damages depends on the items that have fallen on the roof. They vary between from simple punctures on the roofing product and sheathing to the entire collapse of the roof. Some of these damages are severe and even harm some internal parts of your house.
The proper fix for such damages largely relies on the extent of the accident. For the most severe ones, a roof replacement is recommended as the best course of action. Small damages such as punctures and partial breakage of the roof structure can be fixed easily by a pro.

3. Tile and Slate Damage
Roof shingles can be damaged due to a wide variety of reasons. They wear out long before the roof wears out and might have to be replaced. Other causes of damage to the tiles can be by wind, impact by other items and foot traffic when someone is inspecting the roof. Old tiles and slate can not serve their purpose anymore, and they become brittle and detract from the roof. Fixing damaged tiles and slate entails replacing them or even the entire roof as advised by an expert.

4. Roof Leakages.
These are the most common damages to roofs these days. Leaks can be caused by many things which harm the roofing material and sheathing thus allowing water to leak through. Leaks are problematic since they vary widely and detecting one is not easy. In some cases, pools of water accumulate on your roof and flow through the material over time and into your home. Furthermore, leakages triggered by ice dams are complicated since the specific location where you will see water inside your space may not even be close to where the leak is located on the roof.

Experts come in handy when fixing leakages, and they can do it by inspecting the cracks and flashing on the roof. They will also look at the chimney stack and vents, damaged shingles and leaks in the deck for any signs of passages that can allow water to seep through. Depending on where they spot the space, they will seal it and pour water to determine whether it still leaks or not.

5. Missing Flashing.
Roof flashing is an important part of the roof. Over time it gets destroyed and allows water to leak into the roof.
Fixing the flashing depends on the damage to it and is mostly done by inspecting the roof and replacing them or installing the existing ones properly. Flashings are relatively durable and can be recycled.

6. Gutters and Downspouts.
Rain gutters and downspouts are meant to direct water flowing on the roof away to a drainage system. This helps to avoid cases of water accumulating on the roof and activating leaks. Gutters can also be blocked by debris on the roof, and this makes them unable to let water flow freely.
Fixing it is done by examining the interior part of these rain gutters and clearing out any material that might block the water path. Dents and scrapes can also be fixed to allow water to flow freely.

7. Ventilation Problems.
Roof air flow needs to be in top condition since problems can allow animals and other elements of weather such as hailstones to get into your living space. They also get obstructed over time and fail to perform their function.
Repairing them entails inspection of the vents and installing new ones if need be.

8. Roof Scorching.
Blistering on roofs is caused by entrapped moisture and poor air flow within shingles. Blisters are not much of a bother since they do not affect the roof, but the problem comes in when it pops.  Blisters should be pointed out clearly since they can be confused with other forms of problems and fixed by releasing the trapped moisture.

Replacement Vs. Repairs in Cork

Which Is The Best Option?

This is one major decision that you will have to make when there are problems on your roof. The cost of fixing some parts of the roofs has risen over the years, and so has the cost of replacing the entire structure.

If the roof is between fifteen and twenty years old but still in excellent condition, then repairs still be the viable option. Roofs that are past twenty years old are not suitable for repair, and it is advisable to replace them rather than having a repair contractor at your place every single week.

- The extent of damage is another factor when deciding to replace or repair. If there is some damage such as a leak, a professional will inspect and check out the extent of it. If the leak is isolated, a repair might work, but if the roof is leaking in many places, a replacement might be in order.

- You should also look at the time you are preparing to stay in that home. If you have plans of selling it in a couple of years, and the roof is in top condition, repairs will be your best choice to avoid the financial implication of installing a new one.

- There is an option of installing a new roof over an existing one rather than doing it from scratch, and it also has some ramifications. While it will save you money and time, it is like covering over the damage which could even end up being worse over time. Building codes allow one to roof up to two layers since extra layers could become too heavy for the building. Roofing over an existing one is a short-term fix because you will have to pay much more when the time to rip the layers apart comes.

Choosing A Roof Repair Contractor in Cork

All the information about roof repairs has been presented above, and you will be faced with the task of selecting the best roof repair contractor in Cork. You will come across several of them telling you why they are the best option but do not fall for this. Selecting one can be done by checking on a couple of things and here are some of them;

- It is advisable to go local. Go for businesses that have a good reputation in Cork since they are familiar with the challenges affecting your roof.

- Experience is key. Roofing repair contractors that have been in the industry for long are your desired option since they have dealt with different scenarios and can offer a proper solution to your roofing problems.

- All roofers will tell you how good their work is but you have to prove this. Ask for references and people who have worked with them for more information on how they operate. If most people were satisfied with their work, then the chances are that they are good at what they do.

- Compare and contrast the proposals offered by various contractors before choosing one. This is the best way to pick a suitable contractor since you can determine the best one out of the ones available. Assess how they approach the problem at hand and amount they quote before making a choice.

- Licensing and insurance is another important thing to look at. They matter since there are many risks associated with roofing repair jobs. You need to ensure that the contractors are insured and they also have a clause to cover for damages around your home during repair.

- Lastly, find out whether they offer emergency services. Your roofing problems might come when you do not expect, and it is important for the contractor to deal with such situations as soon as possible.

Conclusion.
If you would like to get an assessment and a free review of your roofing and damage done or leaking roof, simply call or roofers for an assessment and a quote to get the work done, see which quote gives you the best value or your preferred roofer and get it completed and prevent bigger damage in the future that may cost you more in the long run.