In the construction industry, a general contractor is a company that has the responsibility of overseeing the execution of a building project. This is the party that enters into a direct contract with the owner of the property. They would then go ahead to hire other parties that would work on different aspects of the project.
In other terms, the general contractor is also referred to as the prime or direct contractor. This party is the one that would be paid for the job.
Now in the case where the job involved is only about roofing; whether installing a new one or repairing or maintaining an existing one then a roofing company might be the general contractor. However, this would be the case only if the roofing company is hired directly by the owner of the building. But if it is a commercial project and the roofing firm is hired by the prime contractor, they would be the subcontractor.
Most times, direct contractors/general contractors of commercial construction may not know every aspect of the project. They just hire companies that they believe are competent enough to get the job done. While this works out most of the time, it is necessary that the GC( general contractor) know what to expect from their subcontractor.
When it comes to the roofing aspect of construction, many companies such as Koala Roofing Co work as general contractors. These types of companies know the nitty gritty of roofing so this article may not be for them.
In this article, we would share a brief guide on roof repair for GCs (and even homeowners). This would enable them to know what to look out for when they get a job that requires roof repairs. This guide would also come in handy for weekend warriors (DIYers) who may want to work on their roofs.
Possible Issues And How To Fix Them
Many things such as a fallen tree or rain/wind storm can damage the roof of a building. Sometimes the damage is not one that is monumental enough to warrant that you hire a professional. You can get the job done if you are handy with tools and not afraid of heights.
So below are some of the issues that could be wrong with your roof and how to fix them:-
Damaged Flashing
The material that protects the folds between things like skylights or chimneys and the roof is called flashing. This material is usually made of plastic or sheet metal. It is also used for venting pipes beneath the material for roofing.
If this material is damaged in any way, it makes the area around the fixtures susceptible to moisture and rain. When you discover this damage, you can easily fix it by removing the old flashing and replacing it with a new one.
Bear in mind that some materials like shingles that are around the damaged flashing would have to be lifted off for the repair to take place. So you need to be sure that you can remove and replace these materials properly before attempting to make the repairs.
Sealant That Is Worn Out
A leak can sometimes be caused by worn-out sealant. This sealant is the material that’s used with the flashing to hold it in place. If it cracks or gets too old to hold the flashing together then the area would be susceptible to leaking. Once you discover where this has happened, all you need is a tube or more of flashing sealant.
You may decide to re-caulk or just go ahead and apply new tar. Just as in the case of damaged flashing, you would need to remove the materials around the affected area so as to apply the sealant well
Holes In The Roof
Inclement weather, animals or tree branches that fall on the roof can puncture holes in the roof. Most times these punctures might be things that you may not handle yourself. This is because this damage may require that you change the affected part of the roof.
Unless you are skilled in this area, you may need to call professional roofers to do the job. You may be tempted to carry out the repair by yourself but may end up causing more harm than good. Once moisture starts seeping into any part of a roof, the likelihood of spreading is very high and fast.
So holes in a roof should not be taken lightly in any way but should be repaired immediately. For general contractors, you have to ensure that your workers repair the holes properly. This is to avoid leaving room for moisture to seep into other parts of the roof.
Damaged Pipe Boot
This is the material that’s used to seal the spot around the piping vents against moisture. If this material is damaged, you are most likely to have a leaky roof from that spot. This issue is quite easy to deal with. All you need to do is to remove the damaged material and replace it.
You may want to watch this video to see how easily it can be done.
Missing or Damaged Shingles
From time to time, some things may happen to damage or remove the shingles of your roof. When this happens, you do not need to replace the whole roof; all you need to do is remove the damaged ones and replace them.
In case of missing ones, you just get new shingles and cover the empty space. After you have done this, ensure that you protect your roof from further/future damage. This is especially if the damage was as a result of ice dams or water pooling on the roof.
One sure way you can do this is by removing snow from it immediately after a snow storm/session. Also ensure that you clean the gutters regularly so that it would provide the required drainage.
Conclusion
We all know that a roof is a very important part of a building and as such should not be allowed to be in shambles. It not only protects a home from the elements, it also adds aesthetic value to the home. This in turn increases the real estate value of the home.
We believe that these home improvement tips shared would help anyone (whether you are a general contractor or not) to know minor repair work that might need to be carried out on a roof. With this knowledge, you can monitor the progress that workmen make on your roof if you hire them to work for you.
