Roof Leaks and How to Repair Them

Dealing with Roof Leaks and How to Repair Them

A roof over our heads is a good thing. However, we can run into huge issues when that roof begins to leak. Leaky roofs can cost a homeowner thousands of dollars in roof repairs if not caught fast enough. The problem with most leaks is we do not find out until the damage has already been done. Water stains, mold, and rotting wood are all too common when a roof is compromised by water.

Finding the source of the leak

Most people do not know their roof has been compromised until their ceiling shows signs of water damage or is leaking onto their floor. Often, leaks enter a home from a different location than directly above the leak dripping on their floor from the ceiling. This is where the hunt to find a roof leak begins.

Roofs are typically sloped, which helps water run off them onto the ground instead of in your house. When water breaks through the roof’s surface, it will tend to slide down the inside slope of the roof and begin dropping several feet away from the entrance point.

When dealing with roof leaks, you want to inspect a few notable roof problem areas with roofs first. Any fixture on the roof (chimney, roof vent, skylight) should have metal flashing attached to it. Roof flashing is known to fail before the tiles/shingles do. Starting with your roof fixtures is a good place to begin your search for the leak.

Assessing the damage

If your ceiling is leaking, there is likely mold beginning to form in your attic, and a considerable amount of your insulation is damaged as well. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, go into your attic and see if you can locate the damaged area, take photos, and trace back where the leak originated.

The damage done to your insulation and ceiling should be handled on a case-by-case basis. Any presence of mold should be handled by a professional to ensure the safety of yourself and your family. If all there is are water stains, you can replace each piece as needed.

What to do when you cannot find the leak source

When you cannot find the leak source, you can call a roofing contractor or call a friend to help you troubleshoot your leak to begin your roofing repair. If you choose to call a pro, your work is done, but if you choose the other route, here is what you do:

1. If you do not own a garden hose, you need to go to your local hardware store or Walmart and purchase a hose. Make sure the hose is long enough to reach all parts of your roof that you intend on troubleshooting.
2. You or your buddy safely climb onto the roof and hose down the area where you believe the leak originates. The person not on the roof should be in the attic looking for the water to come through.
3. Once you find the source of the leak, you can begin your repair.

If there is minor damage to one or two shingles on the roof, then a do-it-yourselfer should have no problem repairing the damaged area. A simple hammer, roof cement, utility knife, roofing nails, a harness, and harness anchor should be sufficient to remove and replace the damaged roof shingles.

Emergency roof repair

Sometimes storm damage will not stop for a few days, making it difficult to patch a leaky roof. A quick fix might be necessary. If you know where the water is getting through the roof and have standard asphalt shingles, you can temporarily stop your leaky roof. Purchase a small piece of sheet metal flashing and slide it underneath the shingle above the leaky area of your roof. This will give you time to wait out the storm.

We have not gone over every detail on repairing your roof because there are so many variables out there that we cannot cover them all. However, YouTube is a do-it-yourselfer’s dream come true and will help you through minor repairs on your roof. If you feel like the job is too large or unsafe, do not hesitate to call a professional.