Your roof and other exterior problems

 Other Dry Rot Tips

Looking up at the eaves the part of the roof that sticks out past the walls, make note of any discolorations or what looks like water has leaked through and run down the slope.

It is most likely a yellowish brown color. it will appear as if someone has spilled a cola under the eaves of your home Don't know how they could do that but that is what it looks like. It might be small or could be very large an area. Also look for any dry rot which you know about from previous pages. Dry rot also found in the eaves and pretty much any wood product, lumber etc. that is exposure to moisture for any length of time. It then dries out again and the process repeats itself until the Dry Rot forms and starts destroying the wood. If your home needs painting then scrape out the rot and fill it for a temporary home repair or cut it out and replace it for a long lasting do it yourself repair that you can be proud of.

 You can look up under the eaves and see what looks like cracking paint, bubbled paint, black or brown spots that seem like old graying wood. This is also dry rot and needs to be cut out and replaced. Make sure it doesn't hold something up and when in doubt hire or ask an expert in the subject. It also could just be a lousy paint job where no primer was used.

If you see a light brown thing that looks weird and seems to be growing from a crack in the wood or from between two pieces that are nail to each other, that would be a types of fungus You need to call a pest control company and have it removed and ask them to look further inside that area to make sure it is not growing in also. When done removing the fungus they will treat that area with a chemical or scrape it off if it is only on the surface.

If there is a surface with little black spots that appear to be powdery or that area is inside a home on a wall. If there is a musty smell associated with this area. You have a type of mold and should have a mold extractor take a test sample of the mold. Some molds are very dangerous and some are just a mold and they can clean them off with bleach and water. But again molds are created by poor ventilation and moisture. When areas can't dry out they do bad things to your home. So water problems are the most worrisome.

 Is there any flashing, which is the metal pieces around fire place, next to a wall that a lower roof runs up against, little smoke stack looking things that are actually over the many pipes that stick through the roof, or down the valleys where two roofs meet at an angle.

Remembering where the leaks were under the eaves of your roof, the result of a problem with the roofing material above. Roof leaks are the hardest thing to find. One nail hole can create all kinds of water damageFirst before you get out the ladder walk back away from your house and look up over the roof with binoculars to see if there are any shingles, tile, or composition roof pieces missing or sticking up anywhere but especially in those areas where you had the stains underneath.

The point at the top of the roof is called the ridge. On the ridge there is some kind of a Ridge Cap. It is the final piece that is put on when a roof is installed, to keep out the weather and rain...If any of these are missing you need to get a roofer to reinstall those immediately, especially if it is likely to rain. If you spot any of the above things I just discussed, give yourself 5 points ( no just kidding), get them taken care of soon.

If none of the above problems show up then the next step, if you feel comfortable on a roof and a ladder, then look up on the flat surface of the roof for any nails that are showing their cute little heads. You will need to have a tube of roof caulk or cement ( clear sealant in a pinch) and put a dab on them to make sure there is no water leaking around the head of the nail. If any of the above flashings have extreme rust spot to where you can see something else through that spot, other than flashing under them or a hole, get it repaired or replace soon.

If all this fails to find the problems it may be time to call a roofer and have them repair or replace it. Then you can sleep better knowing it was done right: because you checked their Contractor's license, got three other estimates, and received from them all the wonderful things the type of roofing they will install promises to do. You can sit there with all your friends and watch while they do the work. Just don't sit there and tell them how to do it. If they need your advice you don't need them to do your work.