The average roof in America is designed to last 30 years. Most homeowners, thus, replace their roofs once or twice in their lifetimes.
In between your roof replacements, you’ll need to maintain your roof to make sure it provides you and your loved ones with the protection you need at home. Part of that maintenance entails dealing with some common roof repair issues. A common roof repair issue homeowners face is leakage.
Generally, it’s best to let a professional roof repair expert fix a leaking roof. But if you’d rather do the job yourself, there are certain guidelines you need to follow to get things right. Gustafson Roofing lists out the telltale signs that show your roof has been installed properly. In this leaking roof repair guide, we tell you all you need to know to get the best results.
Let’s dive right in.
Understand How to Spot the Signs
The first step to effectively fixing a leaking roof entails knowing how to spot the problem. Recognizing the early signs of leaks helps you deal with the problem before it escalates and becomes an expensive repair issue.
Look out for spots on your interior ceilings. These spots typically have a brownish appearance and are shaped like puddles with rings around the edges. In many cases, these stains appear at the center of your ceiling, although you should also pay attention to the alcoves and corners.
Another obvious sign that you have a leaky roof is if there’s drippage. Dripping can be quite annoying, and soon you’ll have puddles on your floor and other surfaces in your house. It’s a sure sign that you need urgent leaking roof repair.
You may also notice that your roof shingles are curling and buckling. When shingles are in this state, water starts to get through the shingles. This problem is often the result of poor installation, and you need to get it fixed quickly.
You may also notice that your pipes look wet or rusty. Pay particular attention to the stovepipe on your fireplace. Any dampness or rust may indicate that your roof could be letting in rainwater.
Locate the Leak
Once you’ve noticed signs that your roof has a leak, the next step is to investigate where the problem is. A pair of binoculars can come in handy in helping you scan the roof from outside so you can identify where the actual problem is.
Try to spot any cracked, curled, or missing shingles. Note that roof leaks can happen where the shingles butt. They can also occur where flashing or caulking is compromised.
You may also want to take a closer look at the end caps to see whether they’re the source of the leak. Locating the actual location of the leak is key to addressing the problem once and for all.
Fix the Problem
Once you’ve located the source of the leak, you need to deal with it right away. Roof leaks can become huge problems when ignored, to the point where you may need to replace the entire roof, depending on how extensive the issue has become. Unless you’re ready to pay a considerable 1500 sq ft roof cost because you didn’t repair leaks on time, it’s best to take urgent action.
Depending on the nature of the problem, you may need to:
Fix Small Holes
Holes in roofs are one of the leading causes of leaks. Tiny holes are especially sneaky as they can cause leaks and rot before you begin to notice the problem.
Holes can result from a variety of things, including antenna mounting brackets that have been removed. Misplaced roofing nails that have been pulled can also leave behind holes that lead to leaks. Fix the holes right away to stop the leakage.
Secure Curled Shingles
Curled shingles are also notorious for causing roof leaks. You can resecure the shingles by brushing a coat of asphalt on them. Be sure to apply enough roofing cement on the affected shingle’s underside to firmly secure the edge and corners
Replace Damaged or Missing Shingles
If your roof is leaking because some of your shingles are missing, rotten, or cracked, the best solution is to replace them. Lift the edges of the shingles around the affected one and remove the nails carefully using a pry bar. The faulty shingle should smoothly slide out.
Once you’ve removed the problematic shingle, scrape away all the residue cement from the spot and level any protruding nails. Take a new shingle and round its back corners with a utility knife before sliding it into the one above it and aligning it with those on either side.
Fasten the top of the new shingle with the right roofing nails, making sure that each corner is secured. Finally, cover the heads of the nails with roof cement, smoothing down the overlapping edges of the shingles.
Fix Flashing
Sometimes, leaks are caused by issues with the metal flashing around dormers and chimneys. The simple solution here is to reseal the joints with roofing cement. Use a caulking gun for the job.
Where the problem affects an entire row of shingles, the best move may be to talk to a leaking roof repair contractor to fix it.
Fix a Leaking Roof Promptly to Avert Bigger Problems
Every roof encounters problems, with many starting to leak at some point. The good news is that you don’t have to be a roofing professional to fix a leaking roof. With the practical leaking roof repair tips we’ve shared in this blog, you can resolve the issue and restore comfort in your house.
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