The Pacific Northwest provides us with true four-season weather conditions. As such, our roofs take a beating in Clark County. Luckily, most roofing materials are made to last anywhere from 25 to 50 years or more. However, there comes a time when a roof reaches the end of its lifespan.
Flat roofs to pitched roofs, asphalt shingle roofing to metal roofing, and any other type of roof or roofing material. All will show signs of aging, from damaged cedar shakes to a rubber membrane roof that’s cracked or peeling. When this happens, rain, snow, and ice will find it’s way into those openings and cause real damage.
For the homeowner, that damage isn’t seen for several months or even years. Then the time roof problems present themselves in the form of mold, mildew, or even structural damage. While a water spot on the ceiling just appeared, it’s been a long time in the making.
Mobile home roofing offers a different set of challenges from most residential homes. The roof pitch is very slight in most cases, if not completely flat. After 1976, new HUD requirements were implemented, requiring better roofing practices. These structures became known as manufactured homes.
Mobile Home Roof Advantages/Disadvantages
In some respects, needed mobile home roof repairs are more readily apparent than traditional housing. Because there is usually very little attic space, a leak will present itself sooner and with less overall damage. That means mobile home repair to the roof can be addressed sooner rather than later.
With such small pitches (if any at all), it’s much harder to find out where the leak is coming from. Many flat roofs hold water, spreading it out over a large area. After getting under the roof material, water can run in any direction before falling and pooling in a specific area.
This means you will need to investigate a much larger area of the roof. Of course, big issues like loose flashing or a large branch crashing through the roof are easy to spot. If there are no obvious points of entry, you may want to consider hiring a professional roofing contractor. They’ll investigate, estimate, and address the issue.
Short/Long Term Solutions
If you are able to pinpoint where the water is getting into the home, there are short-term solutions. For example, rubber roofs or flat roofs that use a rubber membrane can be patched in the short term.
Whether it comes in a tube, bucket, or an adhesive, these kits are quick and easy ways to seal up holes. Just make sure to use them correctly. Please follow all manufacturer’s guidelines and instructions to get the best results.
In the case of a metal roof, you’ll need to invest a little more sweat equity. Outline the hole with thick butyl tape, which looks a little like weatherstripping you would use around a window. Next, cut out a patch from sheet metal, making sure to have a few inches of coverage around the hole.
Place the metal patch on the butyl tape, then screw along the perimeter into the tape and roofing. Apply caulk along the edges of the patch and on the screwheads to ensure a water-tight seal. Once dry, apply a roof coating over the whole area.
However, if the existing roof is in overall bad shape, the home may need an entirely new roof. There are a few ways of doing this: a complete roof replacement or re-roofing. Re-roofing just means placing a new roof over the current roof. This is a good option to save money and won’t take as long.
That being said, any issue with the existing roof must be fixed before the new roof is placed. This is to make sure you aren’t trapping any water in place and the re-roof will take hold. With a replacement, the entire roofing system is inspected and removed to make room for all new materials.
The most important thing to remember when doing any repairs on the roof is safety. Roofing professionals like Warner Roofing and Construction have safety gear at every job site. In addition to keeping our crews safe, this gear also protects your home and any landscaping along the house.
