7 simple ways to fix a roof leak guide, Property maintenance tips, Real estate repair help

7 Simple Ways To Fix A Roof Leak Guide

25 June 2021

Homeowners dread roof leaks. Even a tiny leak can cause widespread water damage and facilitate a build-up of mold spores. Apart from being annoying hindrances, such conditions bring down the value of your home and end up costing you a lot of money in repairs.

If you live in an area that is prone to thunderstorms and heavy monsoons, you may experience these leaks frequently, despite carrying out regular residential roof repair. Leaving a leak unattended can be such an expensive mistake, that you should either try to fix it yourself or hire a professional. This article will guide you through fixing a roof leak in numerous ways.

Cover The Roof Leak Spot With Tarp

Placing a tarp over the leaking area can act as an emergency fix until you decide on a long-term solution. A tarp is a large waterproof cloth-like material coated in polyurethane. You can place this material over the spot from where water enters to minimize the potential water damage.

Start by clearing any debris from the surrounding area and measure the surface area of damage. Place the tarp over the damaged area and secure it by nailing the edges to the roof to prevent it from blowing away.

Seal The Leak

This temporary measure is best suited for small leaks and not recommended for bigger leaks involving loose shingles or the like. You can repair buckled shingles or any cracks and chips by spraying them with acrylic formula. You can also use a silicone caulk gun or sealant spray over open holes or cracks. Silicone sealants are also used to repair warped or bent shingles.

Use Roof Flashing

Roof flashing is a thin metallic material that can be installed under shingles to place over leaking areas. Professional contractors install flashing during the construction process to extend the roof’s longevity. If you don’t have it already, you can install and use it as a preventative measure.

Generally installed around chimneys, vents, and skylights, flashing deflects water away from critical areas of the roof and prevents water from entering the house. Installing flashing is relatively easy; you just need to apply caulk around the leak, tuck the flashing under the required shingles, and press it to the caulk to seal.

Use Roofing Cement

You can use roofing cement to fix any cracks and holes in your roof. Roofing cement is readily available in most hardware stores. After clearing away debris from the surrounding area, you can fill the hole or crack with cement. Professionals suggest placing a roofing mesh over the cement.

Create or Place Replacement Shingles

Your roof shingles experience increased wear and tear due to wind, rain, storms, high summer temperatures, and weather extremities. The resulting damage then turns into a catalyst for a leaky roof.
To avoid this, you can pry open and remove the damaged shingles and replace them with newer sturdier ones. If you need to make an emergency repair and don’t have spare shingles, you can also create a temporary shingle out of sheet metal. Applying roofing cement first and then nailing down the shingles will make their hold stronger.

Replace Roofing Pipe Flashing Boot

If you notice that the roof pipes are leaking, it is likely that your pipe flashing boot is the cause. The pipe flashing boot may be cracked or busted due to aging. It would be wise to get it replaced at the earliest. Note down the measurement of your current pipe flashing and buy one of the same size.

Fix Metal Roofing Fasteners

One of the weakest parts of a roof is the screwed-in fasteners. These fasteners are placed at the upper folds of the roof and away from areas where water is most likely to pool. However, when these fasteners undergo wear and tear or come loose due to extreme weather conditions, the areas surrounding them collect water.

You can find many screws or fastener options in the market. Fasteners with large washers can be a great option as they can fill the existing hole and then some.

These roof leak repair methods may seem easy enough to do yourself, and they may be so, but most of these approaches are temporary or are better done by a professional. If you find it difficult to enlist reliable and reputable contractors, you can consider purchasing home warranties that offer roof coverage.

Companies like Choice Home Warranty are among the few that offer roof coverage. They also have a vast contractor network that can do your roof work and also repair other covered items.

7 Simple Ways To Fix A Roof Leak Conclusion

Purchasing a home warranty is definitely the economical option as you get repair and replacement services for several items at considerably lower than market prices. It will also offer you peace of mind as you can be sure that any sudden or emergency repairs will be resolved by skilled technicians at the earliest. You can research further about home warranty services before making a decision.

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