Nothing can trigger your adrenaline rushing like a leaking roof.
Roof care is at the top of every homeowner’s priority list, and they are vulnerable to a lot of wear and tear. Fortunately, small problems may be resolved without the assistance of a specialist. After you’ve located the leak, repair any broken shingles or shakes, fix any splits in flat roll roofing, and seal any joint gaps.
While many repairs are straightforward, it is better to consult a roofer if there is extensive damage, symptoms of structural difficulties, or if your roof is more than 20 years old. This is where the tried-and-true googling of “leaking roof repair near me” saves the day.
For now, keep on reading to learn the best leaking roof repair tips that will help you patch smaller issues in no time.
How to Locate a Roof Leak 101
If you have an accessible attic, start looking for the leak there. Because most roofs are sloped, the location of the leak on your ceiling and where it entered the roof is most likely different.
Start by looking for wet spots on the sheathing or the rafter ends.
Bring a flashlight and inspect the bottom of the roof sheathing and rafters for any shiny or moist places. If the leak is older, there may be rotten timber or brown mold developing around it. If the rafter bays are insulated, check for moist patches on the insulation batts as well.
How to Repair a Leaky Rubber Roof
If you’ve located the leak, it’s time to climb a ladder and investigate its source.
It might be noticeable, such as missing or broken shingles or exposed fasteners. Examine the flashing around vent pipes, dormers, and roof-pitch transitions.
Then, you’ll want to examine the flashing for any holes or tears.
Cracks, rips, and holes in the flashing are all possible culprits. Also, look for areas where leaves and twigs have accumulated and blocked water from flowing away. It’s also an excellent opportunity to evaluate the overall condition of the roof. Leaks are often the result of an aging roof that needs to be rebuilt.
Look for penetrations or blocked drains if the roof is flat or low-pitched. Puddles—low places from which water cannot drain—may also signal a problem location. While wandering around, feel for spongy places beneath the roof surface that might indicate water damage.
If you can’t discover the leak, you may attempt to replicate it by soaking various areas with a yard hose or pail of water. Have someone on the inside keep an eye out for warning signals and call when they arise.
And, if you can’t, that’s where professional roofers come in.
Repairing a Roof Leak: Pre-googling “Leaking Roof Repair Near Me”
To remove an old shingle, start by pushing the flat bar’s edge beneath the exposed edge to break the adhesive bond.
Slide the bar farther beneath the shingle to locate the nails. Each shingle normally has eight nails, four on the sides and immediately above the vertical tab slots, and four across the top of the shingle.
Center the nail head in the notch of the flat bar and push the bar beneath it with a hammer to press it up. Try not to rip the shingles around you. You’ll need to repeat the method above to release the nails at the very top of the shingle.
Remove the old shingle and replace it with the new shingle. Holding the shingle above, nail it directly over the black glue line.
Apply a bead of sealant under the leading edges of any dislodged adjoining shingles. There may also be areas, such as the ridge caps, where roofing nail heads are visible and might be a source of leaks. Apply a coat of sealant on the heads.
Repairing Leaks in Vent Boots
A common source of leaks in plumbing is the flashing around the vent pipe, which consists of a rubber boot. If the boot is leaking but the aluminum flashing is not, then just the boot has to be fixed. Take off the worn boot and replace it by slipping it onto the ventilation duct.
Before you can replace the flashing, you’ll need to measure the boot’s inner circumference.
Once you’ve identified a replacement unit, carefully push up the flashing’s exposed front edge with a flat bar, pull out any nails, and remove the pipe’s base and boot.
Slide the unused flashing unit right over the pipe and into place directly above the pipe, then spread a big bead of roof sealant to its underside. Nails should be either replaced with ones that have neoprene washers on them or their exposed heads should be sealed.
Fixing the Flashing
Vulnerabilities may occur in the flashing in a number of places, which are the copper, lead, or aluminum sheets used to seal off openings. Sometimes, though, the patch is just temporary, lasting only until the flashing and the rest of the roof can be replaced.
You can use roof sealant or adhesive to repair leaks in the counter flashing near your chimney.
If you find that the leak is coming from the step flashing along a skylight, a sidewall, or a dormer, then you have two options. The flashing must be replaced first.
As a backup plan, you might apply roof sealant sparingly to fix the damaged flashing. The surface of the sealant should be kept relatively flat; big beads or lumps might cause water to be redirected and block drainage. If the heads of the nails used to secure the flashing are showing, put a sealer on them.
Leaking Roof Repair Advice: Given
Sometimes googling ‘leaking roof repair near me’ is the best and fastest way to get your roof fixed by professionals who know what they’re doing.
But, if you’re a fan of DIYs with a couple of projects under your belt, there’s nothing wrong with attempting to fix the smaller roof issues by yourself. We hope that our little guide has given you the pointers you need to get started.
And, if you’re facing other maintenance or repair issues at home, you should check out our home improvement section right now for all the extra tips and advice you could possibly need.
