Your roof protects everything inside your home, including you and your family. If it develops a leak, that not only can lead to structural damage, but also toxic mold growth. Repairing roof leaks quickly is imperative.
Find the Leak First
Roof leaks can be hard to pinpoint. This is because water can flow and drip down far from the actual leak. For example, a leak around a roof vent could run down a beam, and then drip down through a wall.
However, the most common areas for roof leaks occur around vents, chimneys, and skylights. Any feature on your roof that includes flashing is the first place to look. If you can access the attic or crawl space, scan the ceiling for water stains and mold to locate the leak.
Also, damaged shingles are also a prime source of roof leaks. Scan your roof for missing or loose shingles. Another source of roof leaks is missing or damaged roofing nails and vent screws. Once the source of the leak is located, it can be repaired.
Reseal Roof Vents and Skylights
If the source of the leak is a roof vent or a skylight, inspect it for any missing or damaged nails or screws. Also, look for any cracks in the plastic. A damaged vent or skylight may need to be replaced. But, if it’s not damaged, you can reseal the edges with exterior-grade roof caulking.
Replacing a roof vent or skylight is a job a skilled do-it-yourselfer can take on. Follow the installation instructions carefully, and be sure to thoroughly seal it.
Replace Damaged Shingles
Replacing damaged shingles can be done by a skillful homeowner. However, the job can quickly expand into damaged roofing paper and underlayment.
Generally, you’ll need to replace more than a single damaged shingle. You’ll need to also remove one or two rows of shingles above the suspected leak. Once the shingles are off, inspect the roofing paper and underlayment for damage.
Professional Roof Repair
While a skilled homeowner can attempt to repair a leaking roof, this is a job best left to a professional. Unfortunately, an unskilled person can cause more damage trying to repair a leak. For example, pulling up roofing shingles to find and fix a leak can quickly become a roof repair job in itself. While caulking around a leaking roof vent is easy for anyone to do, more complex roof repair is best left to a professional.
If you have any doubts about your ability to fix a roof leak, leave the job to a certified roofing contractor. Your home’s roof is too important.
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