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A stormy and wet season could prove disastrous to your roofing and its underlying structures. Leaky roofs are one of the most unpleasant consequences of severe weather conditions. Rain, paired with high winds, could cause splits and openings in previously intact areas of your roof.
During a heavy storm, leaky metal roofs with seams, joints, and overlaps, as well as old, degraded waterproof membranes on your concrete roofs, could allow water to leak into your home. The most challenging part of repairing a roof leak is locating the leak. However, once you've done that, fixes are usually relatively straightforward.
As long as the leak is minor, you should be able to repair it yourself if you are handy with tools. Just don't let things get out of hand. Too much delay or an intense downpour might quickly worsen the situation, which could cost you quite a lot. If your roof is prone to leaks, you will require more than simple DIY fixes to prevent structural damage.
If this is the scenario, it may be wise to invest in expert roof repair services to guarantee that your roof requires less maintenance, is left waterproof, and is more durable in the long run. This post will teach you how to detect leaks and repair a leaking roof. Keep reading.
Actions taken if your roof is leaking
Here are some simple actions to take if you notice your roof leaks.
Do damage control
To begin, take a bucket, pot, or large container and position it beneath the leak to catch dripping water or below the suspected leak region, then attempt to dry up any sections that are already wet.
To keep your carpets and floors as dry as possible, lay down waste bags, drop cloths, or an old sheet on the floor. Dealing with a leaking roof begins with this step because you want to prevent interior damage before determining the source of the leak.
Wait for dry, warm weather
A roof leak is bad enough without even considering the further long-term destruction it's bound to cause to your roof framing or the interior of your house.
However, tearing down leaky roof parts on a wet or rainy day might result in even more damage to your home, necessitating further repairs. Waiting for a warm, dry day to fix the leak is both safe for you and your house.
Climb to the roof
Before you can begin any repairs or ascend to the roof, taking some safety precautions is essential to avoid accidents. Get a ladder and secure it to a rafter to prevent it from sliding as you climb to the roof.
Additionally, wear traction-enhancing shoes when walking on the roof to enhance your safety. If you have concrete roof tiles, take extra care when walking on them, as they could easily fracture or crumble under your weight.
Locate the roof leak
Even the tiniest roof leak could cause significant damage to your property. And if it is not repaired promptly, it could lead to mould development, paint ruin, and discolouration, which is unattractive and possibly detrimental to your health. That is why discovering the source of your roof leak and having it repaired as soon as possible should be your first concern.
The sight and sound of dripping water are usually the first indications of a roof leak. However, whether it's raining or not, there are other telltale signals you're likely to notice. Below are some examples of what to look out for:
- Some rooms have musty scents
- Your ceilings have water stains
- Bloated patches on your interior walls
- Roof tiles are missing or twisted
Clean the repair area
To begin, carefully clean the surface around the leak spot. If the gap on your roof is caused by rust, it will be gritty and need to be scraped off. Make sure you use a metal roof cleaner and clean until your panels are entirely clear of debris, rust, grime, or algae.
Then, using a moist towel, wipe away the cleaning residue. Remember, any strong chemical cleaner that remains will jeopardise the quality of the roof restoration.
Repair the flashing
You must reseal seams with a caulk gun filled with your preferred roofing cement to fix leaks created by unsealed metal flashing around chimneys and dormers. If you discover damage to joints that were previously bonded with a layer of roof cement, use a putty knife to apply a fresh new layer.
If you need to replace a whole row of shingles or shingles are lifting off the roof too effortlessly, it's time to bring in a professional roofer to evaluate the problem. Spot repairs will not increase the lifespan of a roof that needs to be replaced.
Replace all damaged screws and fasteners
Typically, most metal roofs leak due to screws and fasteners that have worn out or become broken. In this case, you'll notice that some screws have backed out, allowing water to enter your house. If you spot a bunch of faulty screws, one solution is to remove the old screws and fasteners and replace them.
However, this is not a fix you should attempt on your own; instead, get a professional. It would be highly time-consuming to check every screw to discover whether anything is questionable. Furthermore, a damaged fastener or a screw that has only backed out by around 0.02 inches (0.5mm) will be difficult for you to locate.
Repair damaged overlaps and seams
Seams within two overlapping metal panels could also result in a leaky roof. This type of leak is referred to as a capillary draw, and it takes place when water moves upward within the two metal panels.
To repair such leaks, put sealant or butyl tape between the two pieces of metal. However, if done incorrectly, you may aggravate the leak. Therefore, it's advisable to seek professional help.
Identify and fix loose cap tiles
Time and movement gradually cause the cap tiles to come free from their adhesive, which is mainly adhered with mortar cement and screws or nails. Without maintenance, the cap tiles might become entirely detached from the roof, potentially causing harm to the rest of your structure. In this instance, you will have to locate such tiles and fix them securely into place with an appropriate fastener.
Cracked or broken tiles should be replaced
For a broken or cracked tile, raise the two overlapping tiles above the broken or cracked tile using wooden battens. Pull the damaged tile out through the gap you've made. If the tile has been nailed into place, you might need to wriggle it from side to side.
Next, put on a pair of protective gloves and eyeglasses and break the target tile to remove it. Finally, manoeuvre your new tile into position, ensuring it is well-bedded on the support laths.
What are the most prevalent roof leak causes?
Improper roof installation
Roofing is a highly skilled trade with minimal room for installation mistakes. Contractors who lack training or even pop-up roofing services, which are particularly prevalent following storms, will frequently conduct mediocre work that will go unnoticed until you have paid the bill and the company has already gone. In addition, undertaking DIY roof repairs could further aggravate the damage on your roof instead of fixing it, causing leaks.
Lack of maintenance
The ideal time to repair your roof problems is before a leak develops. Aside from knowing the most frequent causes of roof leaks and the signs to look for, some easy maintenance could extend the life of your roof and allow you to spot any problems before they become more serious.
While it is best to hire professional roofers as they are familiar with the correct safety practices, you could do some simple maintenance yourself. Take any of the maintenance steps listed below if you are comfortable doing so to prevent damage from occurring.
- Cut off or redirect any tree branches that are too close to your roof.
- After a storm, clean up any debris on your roof.
- Avoid DIY repairs unless you have the skills to fix leaky roofs.
Note: A slight error during DIY repairs, like a misplaced nail, might cause severe damage if left unchecked.
Clogged gutters
The primary purpose of gutters is to automatically direct water away from your roof. However, when they get blocked by dirt and debris, the persistent moisture present from the stagnant water that remains could result in rotting roofing materials and, eventually, roof leaks.
Roof leaks might emerge considerably faster if you live in a rainy location because rainwater gathers, collects on your roof, and finds its way below the tiles or shingles, causing damage to the underlying structures. If not addressed, excessive damage to your underlying materials could result in a complete roof replacement, so this is not something you want to overlook.
Seek immediate expert help for your leaking roof
Even though this article has shown you how to repair your leaky roof, you should get an expert roofers assistance to resolve the issue in the long term. Doing it yourself is definitely not the best way to repair a leaky roof; however, it could come in handy in an emergency. Therefore, you should contact a professional leaking roof repair company near you if you need a long-term solution to your leaking roof problems.
