How to Repair a Roof Leak
One of the worst types of damage is flooding due to a roof leak. A roof leak can wreak havoc on a home in just a few minutes. While roof leaks are serious, most of them can be easily repaired with minimal cost and time. Many homeowners allow their roof leak to continue causing extensive damage to the roof, ceiling, as well as creating a health hazard due to the fact that a leaky roof can spawn mold and mildew.
The first step to repairing a roof leak is to first find the source of it. Roof leaks usually occur frequently at the following places:
Skylights
Chimneys
Flashings
Roof leaks may also occur due to:
A low spot on the roof where water collects
Debris such as leaves and branches where water collects
Ice or snow where water collects and melts
Missing shingles on the roof
If a leak is recognized, clear the area of any home belongings, for instance electronic equipment furniture, etc. Place a bucket to collect the water for the time being. Once you can clearly see where the water is dripping from the ceiling, take a ladder and look at the roof in that area. You might easily see a part of the roof that has a broken shingle; you might also see debris, loose flashings, etc.
Once you solve the cause of the leak, you will be able to figure out the proper way to fix it. If you are not handy, then your best bet is to forgo fixing the roof yourself and contact a professional. It should be noted that you shouldn’t try to fix your roof in a thunderstorm due to the threat of being struck by lighting or being pushed off the roof by a strong gust of wind.
Fixing a Roof Damaged by Debris
Many roofs begin to leak because there is debris on the roof such as leaves or ice that is stuck in a low spot melting. By cleaning away this debris, you can usually stop the leak. However, please note, this is only a quick fix, there is still usually damage to the roof that should be fixed so that another leak does not happen.
Fixing a Roof with Loose or Missing Shingles
If your roof leak is caused by loose or missing shingles, you can usually quickly and cost effectively fix your roof by replacing those shingles. First, locate the missing shingles. Count how many shingles are missing or loose. If you can, remove one shingle as a sample to take to the home improvement store. You should note that an exact match in color might not be available since most shingles fade over time.
Besides the shingle, make sure that the felt underneath the shingles is in good shape and not damaged. If the felt is torn, it should be removed and replaced. You can easily replace felt by adhering it with a staple gun. For best results, use 15 pound roof felt and overlap it from the bottom up, just as your shingles are set. If your roof is made from wood shakes, you can follow the above directions, using 30 pound shake liner instead of the 15 pound roof felt.
Repair a Roof with Loose or Missing Metal Flashings
Metal flashings are another common item that can cause a roof leak. Metal flashings are used around plumbing pipes, flue pipes, attic vents, skylights, etc. Flashings can come loose from time to time, so a good way to prevent a roof leak is to check them seasonally and tighten any flashings that have loosened. Every flashing should have a proper tight and continuous seal otherwise it can be the cause of a roof leak.
Metal flashings can be fixed simply with roofing tar, silicone or rubber sealants. Before applying these items, make sure that the area is dry and clean. Any flashing that is cracked, broken or dented should be replaced even if it has not developed a leak yet.
When replacing damaged metal flashing keep in mind that the flashing should always be placed over the shingle or shake. Once again, if the problem that is causing a leak is difficult to reach or too difficult a job for a novice, your best bet is to call a professional.
Leaks can also come from the ceiling, but be caused by plumbing pipes or a leaky window in the attic. Before jumping to conclusions regarding the source of the leak, do a detailed search to figure out where the water is coming from.
Once you’re done repairing the roof, you may have to replace parts of your interior that may have been damaged by water. In certain cases, new ceiling paint can hide damage, however if the ceiling tiles, walls or other items have been damaged with water significantly, it is extremely prudent to replace the damaged area due to the possibility of mold and mildew growth.
By stopping and fixing a leak early on, you can prevent much more damage and save lots of money in the process.