Roof leaks can negatively impact your home. They often lead to insulation problems, damaged walls and ceilings, black mold, and rot. If your roof is damaged, you must repair it as soon as possible to avoid headaches and thousands of dollars in home damages. Keep reading to learn how to fix your leaky roof.
Finding the Leak
The most difficult part of the roof leak repair process is pinpointing where the leak is. If possible, pay a visit to your attic and use a flashlight in order to inspect the roof’s underside. Search for patches of mold or any areas that are darker than the roof sheathing.
If you still have not found the leak, you should evaluate your insulation. In the event that you spot damage on one section of the insulation, you should understand that the actual leak may be several feet to either side. It’s a good idea to remove insulation adjacent to the area where you notice the signs of a leak. This will allow you to follow the path of water from the damaged area to the water’s entry point on the roof.
Since dry weather makes it a real challenge to find a roof leak, you can create a storm by going up on the roof with a garden hose while someone else is in the attic with a flashlight. You should wet down the roof while the other person uses the flashlight to investigate the underside of the roof for leaks. Stimulating a storm will give you an idea of how your roof withstands natural storms.
Repairing Roofs for Asphalt Shingles
Most homes these days feature asphalt shingles. If your home has them, you are in luck because asphalt shingle roofs are easy to repair. Curled or loose shingles can be reattached using asphalt roofing cement. The cement can be brushed on using a paint brush or secured with a caulk gun.
Shingles that are cracked, rotten, or missing will require a replacement. To remove the old shingles, you’ll need to lift the edges and remove the nails. Once the nails are taken off, the shingle should easily slide out. In order to secure the new shingle, you should slide it under the one above it and make sure it lines up with surrounding shingles. To fasten the top of your replacement shingle, you can use galvanize roofing nails. Your last step will be to use the roofing cement on the heads of the nails to ensure the surrounding shingles are smooth.
Consult a Professional
To make your life easier and prevent injuries, it’s best to consult a roofing professional rather than tackling this home improvement project on your own. With an experienced roofing professional by your side, you won’t compromise the quality of the roof leak repair and avoid other damages down the road.
Invest in LeafFilter
If you’d like to protect your roof and gutters, investing in LeafFilter gutter guards is a smart decision. Clogged gutters can lead to roof leaks and rotting as well as foundation damage, landscape erosion, basement flooding, heaving driveways, and other problems you will not want to deal with. Request a free estimate today and you’ll be well on your way to clean gutters and a healthy roof.
