The roof sheathing is what the skeleton is to a house to the human body. It serves as a framework for the entire roofing architecture of any building.
Thus, the durability and reliability of any roofing solution cannot exceed the quality and soundness of the roof sheathing already in place on the roof.
Leaks inside the house are significant tell-tale signs of damaged or less adequate roof sheathing. To solve this problem, professional contractors engage in various methods. One such is the repair of broken roof sheathing from the inside. In this process, the professional contractor assesses the damaged roof decking and orders the right approach to emergency roof repair.
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How To Know Your Roof Sheathing Needs a Repair?
The typical tell-tale sign of damaged roof sheathing is an observance of leaks inside the house.
Whether you observe actual drops of water or a patch roof leak, the message remains clear that the roof sheathing and other associated roofing materials need to be examined by roofing experts and repaired or replaced appropriately.
Usually, damage to the roof decking is often due to a rotted roof decking or wood rot secondary to prolonged exposure to moisture and air.
The decay continually weakens the roofing sheath and gives way to constant water droplets.
Hence, the affected spot becomes weak and starts leaking or gathers a puddle of water, which eventually penetrates the roofing sheath over time and causes damage to the roof sheathing.
In its prime and most functional state, roof sheathing is capable of providing your roof. with the following:
#1. It Stops Leaks
Our modern roofing sheaths are manufactured with coatings that enable them to resist all forms of liquid they encounter. The most popular liquid is rain or moisture from the atmosphere.
This design goes a long way in prolonging the roof’s lifespan and other associated materials, e.g., the Shingles & Wood.
#2. Serves as a fireproof
Alongside other roofing materials, the roofing sheath comprises fire retarding components. Hence, it can provide some reasonable protection for your house in the case of fire outbreaks.
#3. Infuses Strength
A significant characteristic of roofing sheath in our modern-day roofing is that it helps evenly distribute the weight of roofing materials mounted on the building.
In addition, since they are usually attached to the most substantial roofing beams, they are well known to prevent the roof from sagging and bowing under the effect of pressure and heavy precipitation.
A deficient performance of your roofing sheath – and roof– in this regard points out clearly that a thorough check and adequate fix must be proffered as soon as possible.
A roof leak repair and replacement of damaged roof sheathing is often the approach directed at solving the problem.
Now, one might wonder how the roofing sheath could prevent leaks and confer other forms of protection on the roof as a whole!
The primary key is the excellent sealing of professional roofing experts’ skillful side-by-side placement of the roofing sheaths.
Furthermore, you must call professional roofing experts at periodic intervals to conduct an in-depth check, review, and maintenance of your roof.
You do not need to wait until you start seeing leaks or puddles of water on your roof before you deem it fit to engage the service of professionals to put your roof in top shape.
There is a significant advantage gained by house owners who engage the services of professional roofing experts to conduct routine reviews and maintenance of their roof and other associated structures.
For one, there is a lower cost of care in the long run and peace of mind in the face of adverse circumstances and weather conditions.
This peace comes from resting assured that all potential and actual defects concerning your roof have been well taken care of.
Therefore, this approach to roof maintenance is much more effective and economical in the long run.
Things to Watch Out for?
#1. Signs of The Rotted Roof Decking.
While your roofing sheath is not likely to start rotting after a causal and unrepeated exposure to moisture, constant exposure would eventually make the thin, wooden structure of the roof sheathings start rotting.
Since roof sheathings are usually at the base of other roofing materials, this rot and progressive damage might not be visible until the signs of the damaged roof have gotten to an advanced stage.
Hence, it would be best to look out for the following as pointers to possible damage to your roofing sheath.
#2. Bulging and Bowing
Whenever you start noticing any funny changes in the conformation of your roof decking, some level of wood rot is likely occurring in the roof sheathing.
Call professional contractors in the roofing industry to check it out and offer you a proper solution for this kind of examination.
If this is not properly and promptly attended to, the roof would eventually fall in as the shingles on that area would not be able to function optimally.
#3. Fungal and Mold Growth
More fungal and mold growth starts once a rotting roof sheathing is left unchecked and unreplaced.
Apart from the damage to the underside roof sheathing, the Mold and fungal growth on the roof sheathing can get dispersed in the air and contribute to danger to health.
The Mold may cause various respiratory disorders when inhaled.
#4. Impaired Insulation
Since roof sheathings serve an essential function in promoting the overall insulation of the home, a crack in the integrity of the roof sheathing impacts negatively on its overall insulation.
So, once you start noticing a deviation from the regular insulation you used to have in your house, it is essential to check the integrity of your roofing sheath.
Additionally, inspect the proper functioning of other significant contributors to the overall insulation in your house, e.g., the roof vent chimney and plumbing vent boots.
You must promptly fix the problem by replacing roof sheathing or correcting deficiencies in the roofing sheath from the inside.
How to Repair Damaged Roof Sheathing From Inside?
It is important to decide on a method to be engaged. Repairs from the outside are the most popular. However, it is usually more expensive and time-consuming.
Therefore, people have given the idea of repairing the damaged roof from inside a trial. It has worked very well over the years and proven to be a reasonable alternative to repairing from the outside.
However, this approach is only applicable when the extent of damage to the roofing sheath is not serious.
The steps are as follows:
#1. Locate The Exact Point of Leakage
This process requires a lot of patience. However, it is the key to solving the problem. Carefully and painstakingly locate the exact point of leakage on the roof.
#2. Seal With Roofing Tar
Once you have detected the leaking point, mark the place with a chalk or marker. The marking aids in easy recognition of the problem spot.
Then, patch the roof leak with roofing tar.
Ensure the patch is firmly in place by using a knife. You can also use any other flat material to ensure an even and absolute seal on the roof’s plywood.
#3. Check The Roof From The Outside.
Come down from the roof and carefully examine the spots you have just patched. Ensure the areas of leakage have been appropriately sealed.
Conclusion
Repairing a roof from the inside is one of the most economical and speedy approaches to restoring the integrity of roof sheathing.
To make this approach effective, ensure you conduct a routine check and review of the integrity of your roof sheathing.
Then, call a professional contractor to conduct routine inspections and replace your roof sheathing when necessary.
