Tips to Find and Fix a Leaky Roof

Do you think your roof may be leaking? A leaky roof can be catastrophic, especially if you don't find and fix the leak right away. To help you avoid further water damage, here are some tips for finding and fixing roof leaks with the appropriate roofing supplies. 

 

 

Check Your Attic  

One of the easiest ways to identify a leaky roof is by heading into your attic; this is the area immediately beneath your roof and will show the first signs of roof leakage. When inspecting your attic, look around the ceiling and walls for wood stains, water stains, and other signs of leaks. Be sure to take a flashlight with you to see into all the nooks and crannies of your attic. It can be easier to identify roof leaks in heavy rain, so consider inspecting your attic during a rainstorm. 

 

  

Inspect Your Roof 

The best way to find a roof leak from the outside is to do a thorough roof inspection. Be sure to get a sturdy ladder to help you get onto your roof safely. If you know where the leak is inside, it will be easier to know where to focus your efforts outside. A roof penetration is one of the most common sources of leaking roofs. Penetrations can include chimneys, roof vents, dormers, and other features that project through your roof. 

 

While you're inspecting your entire roof, it's an excellent time to clean gutters and use a roof rake to remove snow and debris from your roof. One of the best ways to avoid future leaks or roof damage is to maintain your roof and gutters and keeping them clear of debris. 

 

 

Inspect Flashing  

Leaks don't always develop beneath the shingles on rooftops. Often, water penetrates behind the flashing and makes its way into the house. So whether you've recently moved into a new home or lived in the same home for years, it's wise to make your way outside and inspect the state of your flashing once or twice per year. 

 

If your roof flashing looks old or of low quality, it's worth the investment to upgrade to higher-quality roofing material. You might also wish to upgrade your step flashings. Step flashings help add more protection to areas particularly susceptible to leaks, such as skylights, dormers, and chimneys. Step flashings also help add additional weatherproof protection to the areas connecting walls to roofs. If you aren't comfortable installing your own replacement flashing, hire a professional roofer to do it for you. The most important thing is that it gets done before your home experiences further damage from leaks. 

 

 

Check Out Your Deck  

This article is mainly about finding leaks in your roof, but don't forget to check your deck for water leaks every so often. This is especially important if your deck is made from wood. Deck flashing can protect and extend the lifespan of your deck by providing an anti-corrosion barrier that helps prevent decay and wood rot. 

 

 

Fix Small Holes  

It's easy to overlook tiny holes in your shingles. However, even little holes can allow water to get through and cause roof rot to the wood underneath. If you have a small leak in your roof or a damaged shingle, it's important to carefully inspect them and repair any holes as needed with flashing. Don't try to inject caulk into the hole, as this is not a long-term solution. Installing flashing beneath the holes is the most effective way to prevent water from leaking into your roof. If you have a metal roof shingle, you won't need to worry so much about small holes developing over time. 

 

 

Seal Valleys Properly  

A valley is an area in your roof where two planes or slopes come together. If the valleys of your roof aren't properly sealed, water can leak through. The best way to check for problems with your roof valleys is to inspect them for any visible or palpable wet spots. 

 

Valleys could become leaky if they were never sealed correctly in the first place. They may also become leaky over time due to prolonged exposure to rain and other elements. If you have issues with the seals in your roof valleys, you can try to fix the problem yourself or hire a roofing contractor to do it for you. However, you will most likely need to address the problem by laying down a new leak barrier in the impacted valleys and installing shingles over the top. 

 

 

Get the Tools You Need To Repair Roof Leaks  

If you have one or more roof leaks, it's essential to repair them as soon as possible. The longer you leave leaks unrepaired, the more damage they can do to your home. In addition, you can save money on your roof repair project by doing it yourself. You can find all the tools and supplies you need for your DIY roof repair project or home improvement plans here at Max!. 

 

 

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