No one wants to find water leaking from the ceiling of their home and businesses. Therefore, it is essential to take immediate action if your roof starts leaking to avoid further damage. Your leaky roof never gets better on their own and fix themselves.
How to Fix a Leaking Roof
A leaking roof is one of the significant problems that can cause rapid damage, primarily to home interiors. Thus, the root of the roof leak can be hard to find. Therefore, to find the point of a leak, it is best to follow a roofer’s advice.
The water typically comes from broken and worn sheets, missing shingles, corroded and poorly sealed roof flashing along the intersections of roof planes, and loose nails. Once the water flows, it will find a place to drip down. However, water may drip to your favorite piece of furniture, art, or any masterpiece.
Fixing or repairing a leaky roof is labor-intensive work that is not for everyone. It can be relatively inexpensive if you’re up to the task, but always make sure to follow safety considerations.
Safety Considerations in Fixing
Fixing a leaky roof is potentially hazardous. But setting and repairing it can be a safe project with proper work practices. Also, always work with an assistant.
Look for a leak during the day and always wear soft-soled boots and all other protective devices. Never work on a wet, snowy, or icy roof to avoid falls, and remember to step only on a secure framing. Furthermore, you can use Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) to slow and stop your fall, or you may want to consult the “Protecting Roofing Workers” for a full scope of safety recommendations.
Tools You May Need
- Hammer
- Flat pry bar
- Ladder
- Flashlight
- Utility knife
- Hook blade cutter
- Chalk line
- Tape measure
- Circular saw
- Pencil
- Caulking gun
Material You May Need
- Roofing nails
- A roofing paper/synthetic underlayment
- Roofing cement/sealant
- Exterior-grade plywood/OSB board for damaged roof deck
- Roof vent for replacing a damaged vent
Instructions on How to Fix a Leaking Roof
Follow these simple instructions listed below in fixing or repairing your leaky roof:
- Locate the roof leak using a ladder and flashlight.
- Examine the roof vents.
- Remove the damaged roof vent using a flat pry bar.
- Replace the roof vent.
- Tear off old roofing shingles using the flat pry bar again.
- Remove the old roofing shingles using a utility knife and then roofing paper for separating shingles from the roof deck.
- Mark the area for deck cutting using a chalk line.
- Cut the damaged roof deck using the circular saw and follow the chalk line.
- Remove the roof deck using the pry bar to pull out nails from the cut-out section.
- Cut the new roof deck patch on the ground for safety.
- Attach the roof deck patch and then nail it into place.
- Lay a paper or underlayment with roofing nails.
- Run the first row of shingles then maintain the established rows.
- Complete the shingles by working upwards until you reach the top row.
When to Give Pro a Call
As mentioned above, fixing a leaky roof is a labor-intensive and complex project. Thus, if you have doubt and misgivings to fix your leaky roof on your own, give a roofing company a call. Also, if you feel unsafe, call a professional.