Roof Leak Repair Tips & Tricks

Once you notice your roof leaking even a slightest bit you should immediately figure out what has caused the problem and fix the leak as soon as possible. It could be just one broken shingle that exposed the smallest roof patch and made the roof leak or it may be more serious issue like ripped sheeting or flashing malfunction. The matter is that if you ignore the leak for a long time not willing to call a roofing contractor or climb on top of the house to fix it on your own, you’ll have to face greater damages and expenses. Even the tiniest gap between the tiles or a little hole in the sheeting may let plenty of water penetrate through the roof sheeting to the insulation.

Running and dripping water or melting snow will not only cause the shields’ deterioration and dropping out, but numerous deeper problems. Those could be extensive moss and algae growth not only on top of the roof, but also inside the insulation. Excessive moisture, coming from one single leak over a long period of time ruins the insulation and the shingles’ surface, reducing their lifetime. Besides, if the leak appeared near one of the roof’s accessories (like skylights, gutters), you should see if you can fix or replace them as well, so that they function properly.

So, placing the buckets under the leaks and wiping the floor while waiting for the better time to eliminate the cause of the problem is not something a rational person should do. It’s like waiting for the sky collapse on you while knowing how to avoid that, but not as catastrophic. That’s why you should hire a roof repairer to fix your leaking roof professionally and urgently. He may replace the tiles and patch the damaged sheeting, install a new tarpaper or seal the cracked ventilation booting. The matter is that they’re aware of professional methods and equipment that allows finding the leaking spot much faster and more accurately. Besides, roof repairers already have necessary tools and height safety systems one should never work on top of the roof without.

If you’re looking for similar services, check out the roof repairers’ profiles on HireRush.com. Here you’ll find the list of experienced professionals, who work within your local area and offer their services at reasonable prices. Call them directly from the site to save your precious time and stop the miniature (or not so miniature) downpour at your house. Learning how to fix a roof leak from them will help you in the future.

Hire a roofing installation and repair contractor

However, if you’re not terrified of heights and if you have basic handyman’s tools and ladder, you may totally attempt carrying out a DIY roof repair project. But first of all, you should figure out how to fix a leaky roof depending on where and why the problem occurred. And, that’s what we are going to do right now.

 

Tips to fix a roof leak

How to find a roof leak

There could be numerous places where the actual leak started, and they aren’t necessarily exactly where the water comes out. It might be just several inches away from the epicenter or they can be much further. But, there’re several places where roof leaks are most likely to occur rather than broken roof shingles or cracked flashing:

1. Valleys (flashing). It’s the place where two inclined roof parts come together. They should be sealed properly, so that the running water from the precipitation or melting snow doesn’t get into the gap between them and seeps directly into the house. Maybe, the sealing was not done well enough or maybe it’s deteriorated overtime. But, no matter what caused the problem, you should hire a professional roof repairer to deal with it, as it’s one of the most difficult leak areas to fix. Usually, a new leak protection is set along the flashing. Then, it’s covered with a row of new asphalt roofing tiles.

2. Vent area. Little pipes on top of roofs that are called vents are normally sealed with roof flashing and rubber booting, which might crack due to severe weather conditions or just when used for too long. The leaks which occur around this area may be easily defined by distinctive dark spots and must they cause. The only true way to repair such leaks is to get rid of old booting and revamp it with a new one. In order to do that, you should pry the booting with a knife and throw it away. If it’s sealed to the adjacent tiles, disrupt the caulk with the help of a pry bar. Then, you just have to insert a new booting by tucking it under the shingles and along the ventilation pipe, nail them in place and apply a new layer of sealing to between the flashing and asphalt tiles.

3. Blocked gutters and ice damps. Blocked gutters and ice damps prevent the water from flowing down the roof. That leads to excessive water accumulation, which may cause roofing deterioration overtime. So, if you’re sure that there’re no ice damps on your roof, which may be easily removed with the help of the snow and ice melting agents and roof rakes, you should examine the gutter. If it’s clogged, there’s not much you can do to cope with the task. You should just clean it out manually.

4. Skylights. Their frames can crack on their own, as well as the compound they were installed with. If that’s the case, you may simply search for the cracks on the skylights and fix them by applying a string of silicone to cover the opening. If the skylights are too destructed, you should ask a window repairer to restore the wooden frames or install the new ones. If you can’t find any cracks or other visible damage, then it’s the roof tarpaper that’s causing a leak.

5. Attic condensation. Roof repairers often note that it might not be the roof that leaks. The difference of room and outdoor temperatures during the cold season or even hot summers (the time of active conditioning use) often causes high moisture levels. Mildew and mold thrives in such conditions. With their growth, moisture and mustiness only build up. That leads to extreme condensation. The only way to get rid of such roof leaks is to eliminate the mold and hire professional contractors to insulate the roof properly.

Spray foam insulation services

 

How to find and fix a hidden roof leak 

When a leak appears at the most random spot of the roof, then the water is penetrating through the damaged shingles or (and) underlayment. Small holes on flat roofs cause the same problem, but they’re much easier to notice.

How to patch a roof

The process is not complicated whatsoever. You’ll need to purchase a primer, a brush, a roller for flat roofs and a patching system. Then, you’ll have to clean the area around the hole and cut off the damaged roofing material that sticks out to make the hole’s edges neat and flat. Apply some primer to the hole and surrounding zone and leave it to dry for how long the primer’s instructions require. Cut a patch of the desired size out of the self-adhesive roof patching material. It should be big enough to cover the hole and overlap the undamaged part around it. Stick the patch to the roof and use the roller to smooth it out.
How to fix a leaky roof with shingles

How to fix leaking shingles or underlayment

The easiest case is when you can clearly see the broken shingles. Then, you may either hire a roofing contractor or proceed to replacing roof tiles on your own. You’ll need a few basic tools (like a medium hammer and a pry bar), as well as new roofing adhesive, shingles and nails for that matter.

Lift the broken shingle to pull out the nails and remove it altogether. Take a pry bar to raise the tiles above and on the sides of the one(s) you’ve just taken off to be able to thrust a new tile into the designated place and fixate it with a couple of roofing nails. Add some adhesive on top of each nail, attach the shingle and you’re done.

The next method is applicable when the water comes through the tiny cracks of shingles that look perfectly fine at the first sight or through the ripped underlayment. When you can clearly observe the roof leaking, but can’t find the source of that misfortune, you can easily determine the problematic spot with the help of a compass and a magnet.

Go up to the attic and attach a magnet to the place, where the roof’s underside is spotting the signs of a leak (dark water marks or even drops). Then, climb the roof and use a compass to find the magnets and, consequently, the leak. Then, lift the asphalt roof tiles as I’ve already described. The only thing is that you may have trouble pulling out the nails, as roof installation professionals drive them in with the help of nail guns. So, be careful not to mess up the adjoining tiles and especially the undamaged sheeting.

When that’s done, place a new layer of tarpaper under the existing and replace secretly deteriorated shingles with the new ones. You may fix the ones that are just cracked with the help of roofing cement.