Angie's LIST Guide to
Roofing & gutters
A homeowner's guide to maintaining a roof, deciding when to have a new one installed, choosing roofing materials and hiring a roofer.
A homeowner's guide to maintaining a roof, deciding when to have a new one installed, choosing roofing materials and hiring a roofer.
Top Topics
An asphalt roof will last longer if the attic is properly ventilated and insulated.
Read more about extending the life of a roof.
A roof replacement job takes shape in Knoxville, Tenn. (Photo courtesy of John Seab)
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Answers
Ask a question on any topic covered by Angie's List and see responses from expert service providers and other homeowners with advice to share. Most popular roofing questions:
- My plywood soffits are delaminating and the fascia boards are wet. There is no drip edge. Can one be installed under existing shingles?
- my skylight is leaking, how can it be repaired?
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- What is the best method for removing and treating moss on composition roof?
Videos
Anatomy of a roof
If it's going to last 30 years, each section of a roof's structure needs to be installed properly.
The anatomy of a roof starts with the rafter, which are covered by a decking of plywood and then a moisture barrier made of treated felt, over which go the shingles.
Flashing is a folded section of sheet metal that surrounds any object that protrudes through the roof, such as a chimney in order to prevent leaks.
Here's a step-by-step on how it is supposed to be done.
Types of roofing
A metal roof can have the same apperance as shingles, but last much longer
By far the most common material for residential roofs, asphalt shingles are comparably inexpensive and can last 25-30 years.
Considered among the most aesthetically pleasing roofs, these are expensive but generally long-lasting roof materials -- though they do have drawbacks.
There are several materials to choose from that are easier on the environment -- including some that are actually green.
Common roofing problems
Degraded and misshapen shingles are symptomatic of a roof in need of replacement.
As roofs begin to age, weak spots include valleys and anywhere that flashing has been needed.
Spring an summer storms can tear off loose shingles, and winter snow can form ice dams pushing water up under roofing materials.
The boards behind and under gutters are at risk of rot if gutters are not kept clean and unclogged.
Extending the life of your roof
Having your roof inspected every few years can extend its lifespan.
The best way to extend the lifespan of your roof is to take care of it by keeping it free of debris, cleaning the gutters regularly and having the roof inspected every few years to catch small problems before they become big ones.
An attic with poor ventilation and/or insufficient insulation can shorten the lifespan of a roof by allowing it to overheat in summer and build up ice dams in winter.
When portions of a roof are shaded from the sun they may build up algae growth. Cleaning it will make the roof look better, but probably won't impact lifespan.
Gutters and downspouts
Clean your gutters twice a year, and look for water damage behind them.
In most parts of the country gutters need to be cleaned twice a year -- once in the fall and again in spring.
You can replace gutters yourself, but it does take skill, two ladders and someone to help. Gutter installation companies can do a cleaner job in part because they can extrude a continuous section the full length of your roof.
Several products are available that claim to eliminate the task of gutter cleaning. Unfortunately, none of them is perfect so you may still find yourself up on the ladder.
Putting on a new roof
It's best to tear off all the old shingles first when putting on a new roof.
Don't wait until it starts leaking. Check these common warning signs of an aging roof that needs to be replaced.
Although it's possible to put a new layer of shingles over the old ones, that might not really save you money in the long run. It's usually best to tear off down to the deck boards in order to be sure weak spots are found and fixed before the new shingles go on.
Putting on a new roof is a big investment, so make sure to get multiple estimates and consider only roofers who come well-recommended.