Damage to rooftops can cause interior house leaks.
The exterior of a home can be just as important as its inside when you're trying to maintain a consistent, attractive appearance. Exterior home repairs can range from damaged roofing to pot holes in the ground to gutters that don't drain. Luckily, many of these repairs don't require professional help and can be remedied with some basic tools. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Asphalt
1. Brush out any loose fragments using a shop vacuum if there are minor cracks in the asphalt outside your house. Asphalt can become cracked and fill with water, especially during the winter months. Once the water freezes, these cracks can expand and result in substantial potholes.
2. Fill the gap in the asphalt with sand if it's quite deep. Now flatten it down so it's within half an inch of the ground. Apply asphalt-based caulk using a caulk gun.
3. Allow to dry, as directed by the instructions on the caulking material (typically around ten minutes). Use a putty knife to smooth down and flatten out the surface.
4. Take out any loose fragments and smooth out any sharp edges if there are larger holes in the asphalt. A hammer and chisel are good tools to complete this part of the job
5. Fill the hole with solid debris such as rocks and gravel fragments. This serves as a foundation before applying the asphalt patch. Tip the asphalt patch into the hole until it fills the hole.
6. Put a length of thick plywood on top of the asphalt patch. Slowly drive over the wood with a car to seal and compact the patch in place.
Roof Repair
7. Take out all damaged shingles if your roof is experiencing leaks. Extract the nails with a pry bar. Secure the replacement shingles from the bottom row upwards. Apply roofing cement on the bottom side of the final row of shingles. Fit the final shingle in place, making sure you press down firmly to ensure the cement sets properly.
8. Shatter damaged tiles with a hammer if these are causing your roof leak. Make sure you wear safety glasses as fragments can get in your eyes. Take out any nails with a nail ripper and set the new tile in place. Secure the new tile with masonry nails or clips, depending on the type of tiles previously installed.
9. Clean up any loose dirt and rust with a wire brush if there is damage to the flashing on your roof. Wipe clean the area with a damp cloth. Bring up any ground in rust by using medium gritted sandpaper.
10. Fill in any holes with roofing cement. Also apply roofing cements to flashing areas that seem like they may be weakening or developing holes.
Gutter Repair
11. Clean away any debris at the sides of the roof if your gutter is not draining off properly. Check open gutters, leaf guards, leaf strainers and the downspout.
12. Wash excess dirt off the gutter using a garden hose. Coax out any trapped materials with a putty knife, but be sure not to damage the gutter in the process. Hose the downspout too if there is debris accumulated there.
13. Install a gutter screen if debris such as pine needles and leaves keep accumulating in your gutter. Place the screen along the roof edge and fasten the segments together until it runs down the enture breadth of the gutter.
14. Cut excess materials at the edges to ensure the screen fits the gutter. Clip the screen in place, ensuring it's firmly in place.
Tags: asphalt patch, your roof, debris such, loose fragments, nails with, putty knife
