How To Repair A Small Roof Leak

Dangers Of A Leaking Roof

A roof leak is not only frustrating, but its hazardous as well. Here are a few things to be aware of:

• Mold
• Leaks that arent corrected right away can cause mold. Moisture is a breeding ground for mold and mildew, which is a huge problem.
• Mold can create health concerns, but it could also ruin wall and flooring coverings, wood framing, and ceiling tiles.
• The presence of mold can decrease the value and marketability of your home.

Roof Leak Repairs That You Can Do Yourself

DIY roof leak repairs might sound intimidating, but mending or patching smaller roof leaks can be something that you can do yourself all it takes a little knowledge, some basic tools and materials, and some confidence!

That said, if you are not comfortable working with your DIY knowledge or working at heights then theres no shame in leaving things to the experts.

Sometimes small leaks can be the result of shiners or nails that missed the framing and are located in between the plastic insulation and the top of the roof youll recognize them as being white or frosted when its cold out the frost melts and drips into the ceilings or the underside of the roof when it warms up.

Fixing these is as simple as clipping those nails the shiners so that they cant collect more moisture.

Leaks around the plumbing vent boots or the plastic or metal bases that cover the plumbing lines and pipes on the roof can be as simple as replacing the boots themselves.

Unless you have a very unusual roof design, you can find replacement vent boots at your local home improvement store. If it simply looks like the nails or screws are stripped, you can replace those as well.

Step flashing or the reinforcement that seals the joints around your roof such as the ones around vents and chimneys can be fairly easy to replace on your own as well.

Its fairly simply if youre handy with a hammer and nails, and you can buy the supplies at your local home improvement store.

Chimney Wear And Tear

There are several ways a chimney can leak. It could be the metal flashing that goes under the shingles surrounding the chimney.

If its brick, it could be the mortar joints. If it rains for a few days, the mortar joints and even the bricks themselves could get so saturated that water will start coming into the interior of your home causing damage to walls and the ceiling.

It can also be water coming down through the top of the chimney. For example, a masonry top could be cracking from being wet and freezing. And a metal top could just be old and rusted or the fasteners that hold it could have come loose.

In chimney siding, water can get in the corners where the siding butts into the corner boards. Not only can those boards rot out, but so can the boards behind the chimney that you cant see.

Whatever the reason your chimney is leaking, you wont know the extent of the damage until a roofer gets up there and does an inspection.

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Utilize A Rubber Sealant Coating To Stop The Leak

While there are several roof leak repair products out on the market finding one that can repair the roof leak can be difficult. A product that weve had success with is Flex Seal. Similar to silicone this isnt a long term fix but can help in an emergency situation. You can apply it in wet or dry conditions. For smaller holes we suggest applying it to the area where the leak is coming from. For larger areas you may need a combination of techniques to stop the leak. You can utilize a tarp and then rubber sealant on the edges to make it air tight. Where ever you spray this it will change the color of the material that its sprayed on. Dont over spray or use it in areas you dont plan on replacing. I could leave large colored spots on your roof. Weve also had good success using it to patch holes in leaky guttering.

How To Fix A Leaking Roof From The Inside

Have you ever wondered how to fix a leaking roof from the inside or if a project like this is even possible? You know PJ Fitzpatrick has a team of roofing experts that can help you with any roofing repair or replace your entire roof if necessary. But, if you need an immediate temporary solution to a leaking roof, and the only option you have is to replace it from the inside, we want to help you accomplish that. If you dont own a ladder, or the weather isnt conducive to working outside, our experts show you that you can make temporary repairs to your roof until a more permanent solution can be made.

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How To Repair Leaking Roof Eaves

Roof eaves are an important part of any roof that has them installed as they help to direct water away from the roof. When roof eaves begin to leak, the rainwater will have to go somewhere, usually inside the home.

This can cause severe issues with the wood rotting as well as allowing access for small animals. Mold will also form over time, and this can present health problems for you and your family. The following article will explain how to repair leaking roof eaves.

Step 1 – Inspection

Only take a look at the roof eaves when no rain is expected. Ascend the ladder, so you get a good view of the roof eaves. You will need to move the ladder along the sides of the home to see all of the roof eaves.

Inspect the roof eaves for holes or cracks and remove any debris such as twigs and leaves. To search for leaks easier, use the garden hose to add water into the eaves and look carefully for where water is dripping out. Even small holes need to be taken care of as they become large holes.

Step 2 – Small Hole Repairs

Tiny holes and superficial cracks are straightforward to repair as all you will need is the waterproof silicone and your finger. Cut off the tip of the silicone caulking tube at approximately a 45-degree angle.

Step 3 – Large Hole Repair

Fixing Water Damage From A Roof Leak

You can often handle water damage from a roof leak with just a wet-dry vac and a few fans if you discover it right away. Remove as much moisture from the area as possible, thoroughly dry the affected materials and monitor them over time for signs of problems.

Mold usually shows up as colorful spots spreading across a surface, but that is not the only type of water damage. Wet ceilings, for instance, experience a change in color even once they are dry. Wait at least a week, and then paint over dried surfaces with a mold-resistant paint.

Flooring is especially susceptible to water damage from a roof leak. When wet carpet padding sits for more than a few hours, replacement is your safest option. If installing new carpet isnt possible, at least remove the damaged carpet and get it out of the house. Mold growing in carpet padding causes serious illness. Its not worth the risk. Damage to wood can also lead to replacement, as over time the wood buckles and curls.

Thankfully, you can often avoid the dangers of roof leaks by staying on top of home maintenance. Contact our team at Hopewell Roofing & Restoration to schedule regular inspections and safeguard your home.

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Here Are Some Things You Can Do To Fix A Leaking Roof

• If the shingles are curled back, then brushing on an asphalt roofing cement will help to reseal the leaking roof.
• You could even use caulk for fixing very small leaks. But remember, this is not a long-term solution.
• Replace the damaged or missing shingles. If you have the replacement shingles, of course! For doing so, carefully lift the edges of the surrounding shingles and the nails with the aid of a pry bar. Once done, the shingle will automatically come out smoothly. Chuck out the protruding nails if necessary.Now, on to replacing the shingle! You can fasten the new shingles in place with the help of roofing nails in all corners. As a final step, you should cover the nail with cement and then smooth down the shingle edges that are overlapping.
• For fixing the flashing around dormers, skyscrapers, and chimneys, all thats needed is a caulk gun with roofing cement.
• For damaged roof vents, you have no other option but to go with replacement to prevent water from finding its way into the base.

How To Fix A Leaky Roof By Yourself

Two of the most hated words for homeowners are leaky roof. Upon hearing them, most homeowners will shudder and a panicked expression will take over their face. It is understandable why replacing a roof or having it professionally repaired can be an extremely expensive nightmare.

However, all is not lost as you still might be able to repair that leak until you can afford a new roof. With this guide and a little bit of common sense, you will be able to find and repair that small soul-destroying leak in a jiffy.

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Specific Costs For Common Roof Problems

Here well keep things short. Remember, there are so many variables that go into types of roofs and therefore types of problems that may occur.

In general, asphalt shingles are the cheapest to replace. Next would be wooden and metal shingles, which are middle of the road.

Clay, concrete, and slate tiles are where expenses can go up for repair. When repaired, those materials are the most durable and so the lifespan will be longer.

Most homeowners spend between $300 and $1,200 for a roof repair, or an average of $650-$850 per repair call.

Typically, a job is to repair leaks. Seal the leak, replace shingles, seal the shingles. If there is a small area and few shingles being repaired, it will likely be on the low end, or as little as $150.

High-end costs are $1,500 to $3,500 and are generally repairing material under the roofs outer layer, possibly addressing damaged wood in other parts of the house, such as outer walls. Plus replacing all shingles on sections of the roof .

Moderate repairs are likely fixing and/or sealing fixtures on the roof and replacing shingles and flashing around these objects.

Asphalt shingles cost roughly $550 to $1,500 to replace or repair a 10-by-10 square feet section or one square of the roofing surface, depending on the extent and complexity of the repair.

The easier it is for the roofer to access the skylight the less the reflashing and/or replacement job will cost.

How To Find A Roof Leak With Attic Access

To start, youll need to figure out if you can access your attic. If you can, you can investigate the attic to look for signs of water. If you cant, skip to our section on finding a roof leak without attic access.

Before you enter the attic, you should consider what kind of insulation you have. Some can be dangerous for your health. For example, if you might have asbestos insulation, you should not enter your attic . If you have fiberglass insulation, you can enter your attic, wearing gloves, goggles and a face mask. Check your local safety regulations to make sure youre wearing everything the authorities recommend. Also, you should bring a flashlight.

Also, if the leak is severe or may have built up for some time, you should consider whether the ceiling can hold your weight. Enough water damage can compromise the integrity of the ceiling or the ceiling joists and you wouldnt want to fall through. Ask a professional if you are unsure.

Start your search above the leak in the ceiling. Look for moisture or signs of moisture on the roof truss or insulation above it.

Those signs include:

• Dark spots on wood or insulation.
• Mold growth or mildew smell.
• Discoloration, which may be a water stain, on wood or other materials.
• Condensation on nails or other surfaces.
• Damage to insulation, such as holes, dampness and/or stains.

What To Do When You Find a Potential Leak Source

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Your Valleys Arent Properly Sealed

What Does It Look Like: An area where two planes of roof come together. Since, these areas of the roof are usually sloped, if the valleys are not sealed together properly, rainwater can get inside as it runs down the roof. You can detect a problem by searching for wet spots that run along the seams of your roof.

Why It Happens: A variety of reasons the sealing may not have been done properly in the first place, it may have cracked when being stepped on, or an excess of rain and ice may have caused it to erode over time.

How To Fix It: This is one of those things that needs to be done by a professional because of its complexity and we do not recommend attempting it on your own. However, your roofer will likely fix the problem by laying a new leak barrier along the valley and shingling overtop.

What Happens When You Ignore A Roof Leak

Ever asked yourself what will happen if you totally ignored leaks in your roof? Well, no matter how good you maintain them, roofs dont last forever. They will fade and bow to pressure, allowing leaks. When in this situation, your only two options are to, either fix the roof leak or ignore it. While it might be tempting to ignore a leak, the better course of action is fixing it. So assuming you ignore a roof leak, what are the consequences? Read on to find out!

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Finding The Source Of A Leaking Roof Can Be Tricky

Its not uncommon for roof leaks to start high and for water to travel down rafters or drywall

before dripping through the ceiling or running down a wall.

Sometimes the water will travel several feet from the entry point to the point at which the leak shows up.

PRACTICE SAFETY FIRST Never climb on a roof while it is raining. If you dont feel secure on your own roof, please dont hesitate to contact a professional roofing company. Many offer a free inspection or fast response roof repair services.

Frequently Asked Roof Leak Question:

Can you repair your roof yourself?

These tips are tricks to help tune up your leaking roof are great to know, but knowledge is only as good when we can apply it!

Lets be honest, you might not be suited to make those repairs and truth be told, why bother? Roofing work requires expertise as mentioned due to complexity of the work and inherent risks. Call a professional, and save your time!

Also, keep in mind, it is important that you dont try to DIY when it comes to roof leaks. They are nothing to mess with and a roof leak can lead to bigger issues if not corrected the right way. Water damage in a house can be catastrophic when not accounted for!

This is also why you working gutters in conjunction with your roof is so vital!

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Move Things Out Of The Way

When your roof is leaking, thats bad enough. The last thing you want is to ruin your belongings in the process. If theres a leak over your bed, clothing, or furniture, its time to clear the area!

Water damage can completely destroy some of your precious belongings, and nobody wants that. Not to mention, some fabrics trap water and create a dreadful mildew smell. So whatever you can push out of the way, do it ASAP!

How To Repair A Leak In The Membrane

To repair a big leak in the membrane, youll need EPDM or a similar material that matches the membrane on your roof, some rubber-to-rubber contact cement, acetone, a paint roller, a utility knife, a paintbrush, roof sealant, and a caulk gun.

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