There are a number of approaches to consider when fixing your garage roof to prevent problems from persisting in the future. It is possible to repair your roof with the tools and materials that you have at home, but for a long-term solution, it might be better to find a professional who specializes in this type of work. Repairing a garage roof often involves tiring and measurement-specific work, so you should prepare for the process in advance before proceeding to fix that persistent leak or weak rafters that leave your garage vulnerable to the forces of nature.
Old Roof Covering
The first step towards repairing any problems with the roof in your garage is to remove the old coverings that either have rotted out or become too weak to support the main frame. The roof installations that have been put on for a long time need replacement after a certain duration because of the processes of wear and tear. You will find that it is these old installations that cause the most problems as far as the viability of the roof is concerned, and removing them first and inspecting any further damage to the rest of the structure is prudent action.
If the coverings are made of asbestos, it is possible to remove them by yourself because it is simple work. However, there are regulations on the use of asbestos depending on where you live, and you must follow certain predetermined rules to ensure your safety as well as those of your neighbors. For more complex structures, you might want to solicit the assistance of your friend to help you in the process of removing the old coverings because it can be a labor-intensive task. When asking the question of how to fix a garage roof, always start with the coverings that have been there for a long time.
Find the Exact Problem
The garage roof is usually large and spreads over a considerable space to provide cover for your entire garage, so if there is a problem, it is best to find out what it is before you begin repairs. Planning for the repairs first will save you a lot of trouble of dismantling the entire roof only to discover the source of the leak or breakage is small enough to repair within a short time. You need to diagnose the problem and the help of roofing contractors becomes very practical in such a situation.
You need to understand the cause of the problem as you engage in the repairs because it can end up costing you a significant amount of time and finances. It is necessary to first understand why you need to repair your roof as you take out the old coverings, and this will make the process seamless. You do not want to find out how to fix a garage roof at night when you are still scouring for the problem because you must understand the cause of the problem as the work begins.
Isolating the Affected Area
When making repairs on your roof, you will find out the exact problem, such as leakage or breakage in a definitive section, and then you will need to isolate this specific area. There is no point in taking out the entire roof when the cause of the problem is menial and can be repaired through a coordinated approach to the affected area. You will find out that this is a tactic used by a residential roofing company to provide repairs on affected garage roofs as it is efficient and will utilize less construction material.
Garage roofs are usually made to endure for long spells of time, so you should avoid dismantling the entire structure unless it is causing problems for your garage in its entirety. One way to fix a garage roof is to focus on the specific affected part so that you can save time and ensure that it doesn’t cause any more problems in the future. Be specific about the section of the roof that has been affected, whether by forces of nature or an accident to be sure to solve a persistent problem that will affect the contents of your garage.
The Downpipes and Gutters
You need to pay extra attention to your downpipes whenever you climb up the ladder to secure your garage roof. This is because they are exposed to constant water flow, particularly during rain seasons and they can easily be damaged by the excessive water flow. You need to replace these pipes as regularly as possible, and you might consider local roofing services to assist you to this end. Any section of the roof that channels water from the top to the bottom will require frequent repairs even if it is not a constant problem with the rest of the structure.
You might also find that your gutters are blocked with leaves or mud, and these will have to be cleaned out whenever you have an opportunity to repair your roof. You can’t avoid your gutters any time you take to the ladders because they can be a cause for leakages from the top because water is not being drained efficiently. The state of your gutters will point out the best approach on how to fix a garage roof to prevent a bigger problem from emerging because of the obstructions.
Bits of Timber
A significant problem that arises from repairing your garage roof is dealing with the timber that makes up the structure. Wood is vulnerable to rot, and if you don’t pay attention to the changes being caused by the forces of nature, you might find your entire roof collapsing on you one day. Consider getting local roofers to remove the bargeboards and fascia that play a part in keeping the roof steady because without replacing these pieces of wood, the roof is vulnerable to total collapse.
You can undertake this task by yourself because you can spot the bits of rotten timber and you can take them out permanently from the rest of the structure. Do not let them remain on the roof for a long time because they will affect other aspects of the structure. You might want to completely replace the timber with another durable material, say metal, but you also need to consider how you will drive nails in to keep the structure steady. When looking up how to fix a garage roof, check out the best replacements for timber that is subject to rot within a short time.
Check the Sarking
The sarking of the roof is the boarding felt that has been fixed over the rafters before the slates are added on top to complete the roofing of the garage. These important aspects of the structure should be removed and replaced by metal roofing services because, just like other bits of timber, they are vulnerable to rot. They help to prop up the roof in place so that the tiles can be fit in without a problem, and they also ensure that the tiles do not fall off particularly when exposed to strong atmospheric conditions that will otherwise damage the entire structure.
The boarding that spreads across the roof can be a primary cause of leakages, particularly during the rainy seasons when the roof is exposed to lots of water flow. This persistent leaking can be difficult to spot because it is in the interior part of the structure, so you should isolate the problem as part of the strategy of how to fix a garage roof. Once you get to the sarking after removing the older coverings, you will find specific sections that are either broken or rotting, and these should be replaced immediately to prevent the rot from spreading to other sections of the roof.
Budgeting for the Process
If the repairs on your roof need extensive work because the problem is significant, then budget for the entire process first before taking to a ladder. The first step on how to fix a garage roof is always preparing for the work because you don’t want to have excesses or deficiencies in the material you will require that will otherwise cost you a lot of money. Find out what the problem is and determine if it’s going to be an expensive venture for you so that you can prepare yourself financially and avoid any needless losses.
It might be better for you to wait long enough until you have sufficient money to handle the entire roofing repair in one go. This will be crucial because you don’t want to fix sections of the roof first, wait, then embark on the repairs again because it might have rendered the previous work null and void. You can also save yourself a lot of work by finding a roofing contractor who can handle the entire repairs efficiently and within a short time while also working with your budget to get the job done.
Taking Measurements
One aspect of the planning process for roof repairs is to get your measurements right because this will save the use of materials as well as time. A general rule of thumb on how to fix a garage roof is to measure twice and cut once as this proves to be a more efficient approach to repairing specific problems at the top of your garage. Make sure you have all the dimensions of your roof and once you isolate the problem, get the measurements, too, so that you can plan on the nature and amount of materials you will need for a successful roof repair.
If you are more careful with the measurements of your roof than the actual work, then the repairs will be successful and will not take you a long time to complete. This particularly applies to the overhead garage door which will need specific dimensions to be taken so that there are no impediments to the efficient opening and closing of the door. If your measurements are not right, your repairs might end up blocking the garage door, thus impeding your access to the garage and forcing you to redo the work again.
Garage Door
When looking at the efficient ways of how to fix a garage roof, remember that any plans must incorporate the garage door. If the roof is fixed and the garage door is vulnerable, you might be forced to start afresh, costing you more money and valuable time. Make the garage door repair a priority whenever you embark on fixing the roof because these structures are equally important for the safety and condition of the contents of your garage. Check to see that the door is working well and no overhanging structures from the roof preventing it from opening and closing.
Make Sure You Have the Right Tools
If you will embark on the repairs of your garage roof by yourself, then see to it that you have the right tools necessary for the work that needs to be done. One thing most people believe on how to fix a garage roof is that they only need nails and a hammer. Arming yourself with the necessary tools to handle all aspects of repair, even the garage door replacements will require the right set of tools to handle all the work and prevent any repetitions. Check to see that you have all the necessary requirements before you set foot on that ladder.
Fixing your garage roof is something that you can handle all by yourself, but it might be prudent to find someone to help you with the task. It can be very tedious going up and down a ladder to collect materials, tools and anything else you will need to fix the roof and prevent any problems within your garage. You also need to consider professional assistance because there are several contractors you can call upon to fix your problem within the day. Make a budget for the entire process and understand how much it’s going to cost in terms of money and time to avoid unnecessary surprises.
