We all know how frustrating a leaky roof can be and how costly it can become to repair your roof if not taken care of properly. Tony’s Roof Repair is always avaialable, 24/7 emergency calls, but for small fixes keep reading for tips on how you can potentially fix the leak yourself.
Water can seep into walls, floors, and framing which can cause mold, mildew, and rot. It’s best to fix the damage as soon as you can. It will save you a lot of time and money, get it done before the damage becomes too overwhelming.
When finding the leak sometimes it can be very apparent, and you’ll be able to find and fix the problem right away. However, a lot of time finding the leak can be harder than the repair. The leaks can be hidden and drip down to other locations making the source difficult to find. Look here for tips on finding the source of the leak.
Once you’ve located the source of the leak it’s best to assess the situation and see if you need to make a smaller repair that lasts long term or a quick fix until you can replace the entire roof.
It is best to inspect your roof once a year at minimum to check for issues before they become a huge problem. Usually when putting up or taking the Christmas lights is the best time because you are already on the roof. This way you can kill two birds with one stone.
It is also proactive to check your roof after any major storm, be it wind, rain, or hail to ensure the security of your home.
If you need to solve a temporary problem while you wait for your roof to be replaced it is best to cover the leaks with plywood/plastic sheets for a few weeks until the roof is replaced. This way no water gets into your home while you’re waiting.
If the roof has a couple of weak spots where a branch or hail may have damaged it, make a permanent repair now that won’t have to be fixed again down the road.
The same goes for open joints, dormers and walls by the chimney, flashing, vents, windows, or skylights. If this is the case, fix the issue now and fix it right. It usually just needs new caulking, or a rubber membrane installed.
If your roof appears to have general water damage in many locations a temporary fix is best until you can get a proper inspection done and then a full roof replacement. This would be because of roof rot, weak spots in the roof, damaged shingles, or something of this nature.
If you can’t get to replacing your entire roof right away and need to wait a year or more it is best to repair and permanently fix as much as you can until you can do a full replacement. This includes replacing broken or peeling shingles.
First, find the faulty shingles and shakes, then remove them carefully with a shingle ripper. After they are removed install new underlay. Next, you will slide the new shingle just under the bottom of the one above.
Always remember shingles are hung, not fastened. There is no need to hammer them too tight, it’s best to angle the nails to avoid this from happening.
Flat roofs tend to have different coverings and methods of being fixed than your standard angled roof.
Use roofing cement to fill the hole. First, start by cutting a hole into the bubbled part of the roof, or lift the crack so you can get a full view of the gap. Then use a trowel to push some roofing cement into the damaged area. Make sure to get a good coating.
Next, you will layer more roofing cement over the area making sure to spread it beyond the damage to create a good seal. Apply fiberglass mesh to the area and apply another layer of roofing cement on top of it using a trowel to feather the edges.
Cut a rectangle around the damaged area just deep enough so you can remove the piece to be replaced. Use this cut scrap as a template for your patch. Next, spread roofing cement to the cut-out area making sure to get it under the surrounding roofing area too. Cut out a patch and set it into the wet cement.
Now you’ll have to cut a second patch wider than the first. Add more roofing cement and place the second patch on top of the first on top of the wet cement. Ensure the area is thoroughly dried and coat it with aluminum fiber coating to make sure you fully seal it.
First, check the base for cracks or broken seams and look at the rubber boot surrounding the pipe for similar damages. It’s best to buy a new vent boot to eradicate this issue.
However, if it’s just missing nails around the base you can save some money and replace the lost nails with rubber-washered screws. Just be careful when pulling up the surrounding shingles as not to damage them if you are reusing them.
As always, the first step is to check for cracks or broken seams and seals. Caulk may seem like the easy fix for this but it won’t last, your best bet is to replace the whole thing to ensure you don’t end up with more water damage.
Remove nails under the shingles and pull up the old vent carefully. Replace it with the new vent sliding it into place and screwing it down with rubber-washered screws. Caulk around the new vent under the shingles to create a water barrier. No need t nail the shingles now but if you want the extra peace of mind re-nail everything in place and add a water barrier.
Flashing is what you use along the walls and intersecting points of the roof. They are metal barriers attached to ensure water doesn’t enter the home. If the flashing begins to rust however, it will need to be replaced as its integrity is compromised.
You will need to start by carefully removing shingles to get to the flashing under them. This process can be a bit more complex, tto learn more about fixing flashing on your roof see here.
Dormers walls tend to have many cracks and where water can seep in through the roof. The same goes for cracks by windows and in siding. Using a putty knife push around the caulking that is supposed to have these areas sealed to check if there are any breakage points or lifting. Add new flashing as necessary and re-caulk the area. Replace any old or cracked siding that could be posing issues.
Small holes caused by nails or where antae/satellite dishes used to be on the roof can cause water to seep through and rot under the shingles and can go undetected for a while. The best repair for this is to use flashing so your wooden roof doesn’t slowly get wet.
Chimneys can be a considerable problem for damage on the roof and in the home. It’s usually because the chimney flashing installed begins to rust because it’s exposed. Once again, your best bet to fixing this is to reflash. However, for the chimney you will install the flashing under the preexisting flashing so the water will be diverted and less exposed, meaning, less rust.
These tips are great for easy fixes if you think you’re up for the job. For more advice on give Tony’s roof repair a call. Professional roofing giving you the highest quality for an affordable cost. Whether the problem is big or small we can be there in a flash.
Tony’s roof repair is available 24/7 for any emergency roof repair work your home needs. Our experts will discuss your roof, the damage you can see from a visual inspection and what the next steps are that should be taken to fix your roof. As soon as it’s safe to do so, we’ll send a team to assess the damage and begin repairs right away, so you can get back to living the dream.
Call right now for your free roofing service estimate. (587) 577-4777