Braving the Storm in Portland

If you are a fan of the supernatural, Portland exists in TV land as the home of a spectacular collection of creatures gathering there on the series,” Grimm”.  In reality, it can be a place where Mother Nature holds court to a fabulous array of weather varieties that can be a test for any homeowner.  Mold, mildew and moss growth can lift shingles, and the snows of winter, especially up towards the hills, cause nails to loosen.  High winds, driving rains, drizzle that penetrates tiny cracks and crevasses in roofs and foundations, causing air leaks and insurance claims, can be a real pain.

Roof Storm Damage and Insurance

Most insurance companies, if faced with a claim, insist on replacement with the same type of materials as were used previously.  If shingles are chosen, the first step would be to remove the old, damaged shingles, and tar paper, and check the plywood or wafer board for signs of damage, such as could be caused by a rubbing tree branch or fallen limb.  Replace any rotted or cracked plywood, being sure to check the rafter underneath for any signs of water or storm damage or mold, then cover the plywood with a good quality thick tar paper.  Any lumber yard will be happy to recommend a good quality paper.  Twenty year warranty shingles are an industry standard, and are available in a wide range of colors. Caulking around nail ends on the ridge cap, gables or row ends is a good idea to keep out weather damage, but not totally necessary.  Smaller areas of damage not needing the replacement of the whole roof can also be done.

How to Repair Roof Damage from Storms

By going in through the attic, a homeowner can check for damage, mold and leaks.  Plywood may need to be spliced in at that damage location only, and new shingles can be placed by loosening neighboring shingles and replacing the old.  Here a good caulking is recommended to seal the damaged area around the nails.  If rafters are damaged and cracked, , bring the crack back into position, and “scab “ the repair in place over the crack, extending  four to six feet along either side of the crack to distribute the weight and shore up the damage.  The repair for trusses is the same: push them back into position where they are even with the rest of the roof, and patch with new lumber, four to six feet on each side of the crack for structural integrity.  Nailing should be no more than eight inches apart on each side of the broken truss or rafter. This is for small damage repair ONLY…larger damage areas need to be replaced completely with a new rafter or truss top, and all joints of truss top must be nailed with either metal plate or with truss rafter material.

Metal Roof Damage

The new metal roofs can withstand a tremendous amount of damage, but even they are not invincible, and a direct hit from a large tree limb will bend them or even break clear through. If plywood or trusses are damaged, repeat the same as when using shingles before replacing any damaged or bent metal roofing.  Metal roofing is attractive, coming in a wide range of colors.  Make sure  plywood, trusses, truss tops and rafters are in line and strong enough to accept ring shank rubber washer nails when dealing with metal roofing. These rubber ring shanks hold the metal roofing in place, and the rubber washers prevent the hole from leaking. If you are not a professional roofer or structural carpenter, refer to diagrams in roof repair books from the library to guide you through the project.  Nothing quite beats a job well done to bring pride to the homeowner and save money on costly repairs.

At All Surface, we handle all types of roofing in Portland issues. Give us a call if your roof is damaged, whether due to a storm, or every day stress.