7 Tips on How to Stop Roof Leaks From Happening
Beating rain, strong winds and freezing can contribute to the wear and tear of your roof surface, so if you really want to prevent a leak, a 6-month inspection will be helpful. Repairing a leak in your roof is a not difficult task, although it is always good to have a professional take a look at it. When you notice water stains or a leak running down from your roof, you can be sure you have a leak in your roof.
As soon as you noticed the leak, you should find ways on how to stop roof leaks from happening. Treat it as an emergency as it can create more havoc at home. There are many signs that you will notice, such as water entry, molds and stains. The best way to try and repair it is to first locate the leak from the inside, try to fix it temporarily to control the damage. Then, call in the roofing experts for inspection and repair immediately.
Here are seven tips on how to stop roof leaks from happening:
1. Roof leaks should be stopped immediately.
When you notice roof leaks happening, prompt repairs are necessary as you want to prevent any cave in. Repairs that are unattended for an extended period tend to crack and loosen the roof materials. Patching up the leak as soon as possible is always better than having to repair the bigger damage permanently. This is mainly because small leaks can lead to bigger problems such as rotted framing, sheathing, damaged ceilings and ruined insulation.
Many homeowners have neglected on how to stop roof leaks from happening. Over time, led to a big expensive repair bill. So, you have to make sure that a leaking roof is always a top priority repair. That way, you do not have to spend a fortune on replacing your entire roof. Here are some simple ways to find and repair the leak.
Before you even start to inspect or locate the leak, make sure you have taken the necessary safety steps to prevent any injuries to yourself or anyone in the area. In most cases, you will call in a professional. But if there is a small leak you can fix, then make a list of the safety steps and equipment needed to fix that leak.
2. Inspect your roof for leaks.
This is an excellent time to inspect your roof for any wear and tear like cracks, missing shingles, and gaps. A leak in your roof means that there are some problems with the roofing material. So, you might have to replace your roof materials.
Additionally, if you find rot or mold, you can take steps to remove it from your roof. Of course, your priority is to locate the leak, but take the opportunity to look at all aspects of your roof. When you do find the leak, you should immediately clean the area and aim to contain the leak. In most cases, you will need a professional roofer to help fix the leak problem permanently without future damage to your roof materials. However, to contain the leak, you can consider a few tricks like a roof sealant.
3. Check the area of damage where the stain appears.
You can start by tracking the leak from the inside of your home so that you know where exactly the leak is located on the exterior of your home. If it is a slanted roof, make sure you check a little higher as gravity can cause the water or seepage to travel farther down the roof.
Once you locate where the roof leak is happening, inspect it and determine the cause, you will know whether you can repair it yourself or need to call in a professional.
4. Use a powerful roof sealant.
The roof sealant is a perfect solution for all the small cracks as they offer a waterproof seal and can extend the life expectancy of your roof. The advantage is that sealants have a way to bond even broken tile pieces. But even with the sealant, you may have to ensure an inspection by the experts so that there is no future damage.
The sealant is strong enough to cope with all types of weather such heavy rain, snow and even the harsh sunlight. The sealant can also help to prevent the growth of algae and mold on your roof. It is always recommended to have sealant and roof coatings applied by the professionals, but you can also do it yourself.
5. The roof vent is a common cause for a leaking roof.
Most times, it is the roof vent that is the culprit and the common cause of roof leaks. This may need immediate replacement. Degraded vent pipes can create gaps in your roof. For the small holes you can probably seal it with a roof sealant, but if it is the pipe that is the problem, then the best solution is to get it replaced with a new one.
6. Clean the roof crack and hole.
Before you start to apply any sealant or coating, you must make sure that the area is clean and no debris is insight. You can use a small piece of wire to remove debris from cracks.
7. Fix the roof leak quickly.
While using sealant is one way of repairing the roof, you can also consider fixing areas using a temporary fitting of galvanized sheet metal flashing. This can be found in almost any home improvement center.
