5 TIPS FOR A QUICK FIX
What To Do If Your Roof Is Leaking
Leaking roofs can be a headache to repair and while it’s best to leave repairs to the professionals, in some cases it may be necessary for you to do quick repairs yourself. Ignoring a leak, even for a short period of time, can lead to major damages to your home. If the damages are minor, the leak is isolated to a specific area, and you know the causes, you may decide to do a repair yourself. So what should you do if your roof is leaking?
If you’ve had a routine roof inspection in the last 6 months and your inspector didn’t catch any problems, it’s possible that a leak has been caused by a recent storm. If you haven’t had routine roof inspections, a leak is just one of the many reasons why it is so important to have them done at least once a year.
Before all else, when you notice a leak you should be to call a professional! Letting water sit too long can lead to worsened damage, but improper repairs can cause ongoing issues. These 5 tips can help you temporarily stop a roof leak but they won’t fix the root of the problem. With that in mind, the following are tips for fixing your roof until a professional arrives.
Tip #1: Locate The Leak
First, you must locate the leak. Obviously, if you notice water dripping from a certain area, down your walls, or collecting on the floor somewhere you’ll know there’s a problem. However, water can run along different areas of your home’s structure. This can cause the water that shows up inside your home to be in a totally different location than the source of the leak on your roof. To find the source of the leak you’ll need to go up to your roof and look for missing tiles, pulled flashings, corroded tar, or anything else that appears to allow water in. Once you have located the hole causing the leak, you can begin to repair it.
Check out ClaytonHoover.com/top-five-places-to-check-for-roof-leaks to find out the most common places to check for roof leaks.
Tip #2: Repair Roof Penetrations
Roof penetrations are anything sticking from our roof, such as a chimney or roof. These penetrations usually have special flashings or binding around them to make sure they are fitted and waterproofed to the roofing correctly. If there is a pipe that penetrates the roof, real quick see if there is any type of cap over top. Sometimes these little caps pop off, and water can run down the pipe and cause a leak too. If all caps look well and secured, but you see an issue with the flashings or bindings of the penetration, here is where you need your fix. You can do this by applying roofing cement around the penetration and then sealing it with flashing tape. Both of these are easily bought at a home improvement store for little cost.
Tip #3: Seal Roofing Tiles
If the leak is coming from a roofing tile, you can seal it by using roofing cement. First, remove the damaged tile and then apply the cement. Be sure to allow the cement to dry completely before replacing the tile. Note, A roofing tile is different from a roofing shingle. If you have a shingle roof (most homes do) and that shingle has been pulled off or torn, you’re going to need roofing sealant. Put some sealant under the shingle, press the shingle down, and then apply a sealant to the top and spread with a putty knife.
Tip #4: Repair Roof Vents
If the leak appears to be coming from a roof vent, there are a few different problems that could be happening. The Ultimate Guide to Repair Roof Vents can offer you some more suggestions on things to check out. But for this quick fix tip, the leak is likely coming in around the base of the vent where it meets your roof. You can repair it by applying roofing cement around the vent and then sealing it with flashing tape.
Tip #5: Replace Roof Flashing
If the leak is coming from somewhere other than a penetration or a roofing tile, then it is likely that the flashing is at fault. You can replace this by removing the old flashing and installing new flashing. Be sure to seal the flashing with roofing cement. If the flashing has simply pulled away, press back into place and seal.
Need more help? Check out our Expert Tips To Repair Step Flashing.
It’s important to keep in mind that these steps are only to be taken for a quick fix until a roofing contractor can provide professional repairs. Roof repairs can be dangerous without the proper equipment and training, and insufficient roof repairs can lead to even more damage if left unchecked. If you find a roof leak, the first thing you should do is call a professional. Luckily, here at Clayton Hoover & Sons offers emergency repair services. We’ll come out to your home as soon as possible to help provide temporary repairs until we can fully repair or replace your roof. If your home has experienced water damage, you notice signs of wear on your roof, or are in need of a routine roof inspection, contact us at ClaytonHoover.com/roofing. We are always here to help you!
