5 Roof Repair Tips For Fixing A Leaking Roof

roof repair tips

Having water stains that extend from the ceiling and down into the floor means there’s a problem with the roof. Tracking down the problem area can be tricky and difficult but with a little patience and a few hand-held tools, eventually, it can be found.

The next step would be to repair it. If the problem isn’t too bad, it can certainly be accomplished with a few tools and materials.

The important thing to remember is to fix a leaky roof the moment you notice the problem even if it’s not bothering you that much yet. If left unattended pretty soon it will cause more damage and will mean costly repair than when you tended to it immediately, not to mention damaging security systems and spy gear.

Most leaks happen because of loose or missing shingles, damaged or rotten flashing, old vents, or clogged gutters. Regularly checking the roof is a good way to avoid leaks from happening.

1. Finding the leak

When looking for the leak culprit that’s causing havoc to your roof and ceiling, first look for it by going uphill from the stain. You want to search for roof penetration.

Normally, water enters the hole and trickles down following the law of gravity so wherever the water stain appears you’re more likely to find the hole as you move up the roof.

Also, look for penetration not just on the shingles but on plumbing, vents, chimneys, or dormers as well. If you have access to your attic, you can look for the leak with a handheld flashlight and looking for water stains and other evidence of water damage.

2. Fixing small leaks

There are some leaks that are very hard to locate. Sometimes they are in parts of the roof that’s hard to access or the leak is so minuscule they barely have any marks until much later.

If you have access to the attic, look for shiners. These are nails that missed the frame. Moist air escapes into the cold attic coming from the rooms below and condenses on these nails. These nails will look white because of the frost. The simple solution is just to clip the nail with a pair of pliers.

3. Fixing plumbing vent

Vent boots are usually made of plastic or plastic and metal materials. These keep water out of roof accessories such as vents and chimneys. Check to see that the base these are not cracked or broken. You should also examine the area surrounding the rubber boots as they can also be rotted away allowing water to seep through.

If the problem is with the vent boots, the best thing to do is to replace it with a new one. But if the nails at the base are pulled or missing but the rubber boot is in good shape, you can replace the nail with screws with a rubber washer.

4. Fixing roof vents

Always inspect the housing on roof vents for signs of cracking or broken seams. You might think that using caulk is an easy solution to the problem but it won’t address the deeper problem. The only way to really fix broken or cracked roof vents is to replace the damaged ones. You should also check to see for missing or pulled nails at the base of the vent. Replace them with screws with rubber washers instead of regular nails.

5. Walls and dormers

Sometimes leaks don’t come from the roof itself. At times, strong winds can drive water up the walls, around windows, or between corners of boards and siding.

Dormer walls can present many opportunities for water to dribble down and get into the roof. Old caulk can also lose its waterproofing allowing water to seep between corner boards and in between window sidings and edges.

If you suspect that a caulk might be fault, dig it out to see if the area is sealed tight. If not, you should replace it with new caulk, one that is of high-quality.

SEE ALSO:
5 ECO FRIENDLY ROOF OPTIONS 
REPLACING THE ROOF ON YOUR CONCRETE GARAGE
roof repair tips

Author Bio: Sarah Brooks is an ardent blogger and frequent traveller who writes about home improvement, travel, and the latest trends in emerging technologies. She is currently working with EyeSpySupply, which offers a wide range of spy gear, including spy wireless camera, nanny cams, GPS trackers, voice-activated audio recorders and more.

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30 Comments

  1. August 30, 2020 / 6:25 pm

    Thanks for giving out such insightful tips on roof repairs.

  2. September 2, 2020 / 5:17 am

    The part of your article that talks about how important it is to use quality materials to repair roof vents really caught my attention. We’ve been noticing a lot of unwelcomed drafts in our house lately, and I’ve tried my best to prevent them from happening. It doesn’t seem like any of my efforts are working, so this ventilation issue is definitely a serious one. I’ll take your advice and get a roof repair professional to help me out with this instead.

  3. October 28, 2020 / 2:42 pm

    Thanks for helping me understand that I need to work on my roofing once I saw the initial signs of a serious problem. We have a skylight and recently, I noticed that the moisture coming from it has been extending to other parts of the roof. It would probably be better to follow your advice and consult experts before other parts of our home get affected.

  4. October 30, 2020 / 5:18 am

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  5. November 27, 2020 / 6:48 am

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  6. December 5, 2020 / 1:47 pm

    You can rope in the leading Roofing contractors Baton Rouge like Roof Crafters for flawless storm damage repairs at an affordable price. As a member of BBB, Roof Crafters has a solid online presence.

  7. December 16, 2020 / 8:25 am

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  9. December 29, 2020 / 10:16 am

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  10. January 4, 2021 / 12:39 am

    The roof is the important savior of the home. We should always give consideration and proper care to the one who gives and protects our house. This is a great article! Thank you for sharing this.

  11. January 10, 2021 / 1:06 am

    Great post, I appreciate you and I would like for sharing this useful information.

  12. February 5, 2021 / 12:24 am

    I have bookmarked this post to send to my clients when I’m giving bids for roof repairs. Keep up the great work guys!
    Chris from Rancho Cordova Roofing.

  13. February 5, 2021 / 5:29 am

    Hi

    I was searching blog regard roof then an awesome blog landed me on this page, well written blog. You hooked the attention of the reader till the last word.

    Thanks

  14. March 18, 2021 / 10:45 pm

    Great, I like your content. Thanks, I have landed here and now getting the info that I want. Thanks a lot for sharing these good tips. Here in Fall river ma, we have our roofing issues with leaking and we just want repair services within our budget. We consider getting a good contractor to do seasonal maintenance, gutter repair fall river ma, and repairs for our roof. We look for trustworthy and honest one, could you give me some recommendations, thanks – Joselito M

  15. Vince Taylor
    April 10, 2021 / 11:28 am

    Recently, my roof starts leaking and I acquired the services of roof replacement inc. I must say that it is very heartening to see the professionalism.

  16. April 29, 2021 / 7:24 am

    Excellent post. I want to thank you for this informative, I really appreciate sharing this great post. Thanks for sharing this…

  17. May 30, 2021 / 2:42 am

    That is a great idea if you would like to add that! Thanks so much for sharing!

  18. June 1, 2021 / 11:11 am

    For commercial roofs, slate and tile are the best options for the obvious reasons but yes expert roofers are required for the job, who have experience with these two roofs. Even synthetic versions are not bad, especially for residential purposes, when homeowners do not want to spend a lot of money. Very nice article, completely enjoyed it!

  19. August 25, 2021 / 3:31 pm

    This is an excellent article.
    I’d want to express my gratitude for this helpful information; I appreciate you sharing it with us.
    Thank you for sharing…

  20. August 25, 2021 / 3:33 pm

    I admire your efforts and would want to thank you for sharing this great information.

  21. August 30, 2021 / 12:50 pm

    I’ve been having issues with my vents having issues, and I’m not sure what to do about it. It makes sense that I would want to get a professional to help me out with this. That seems like a good way to ensure that everything is put together properly.

  22. September 28, 2021 / 7:20 pm

    Thanks for sharing your tips on how to fix a roof vent. I am worried that my mom’s roof might be super damaged. I am hoping we can call a professional to find out.

  23. November 2, 2021 / 10:09 am

    Few things are more crucial than your roof when it comes to the structural integrity of your home. Your roof protects the interior of your home from the elements, such as rain, snow, and wind, and it also has a big impact on the curb appeal of your house. While you generally don’t spend much time worrying about your roof, the first hint of a leak should refocus your attention and focus.

  24. January 20, 2022 / 9:29 am

    This website can assist you in repairing a leaky roof. I’m grateful for your contribution and hope to see more of your writing in the future. Thank you for sharing this helpful and engaging content with us!

  25. May 2, 2022 / 4:20 am

    This tips are really amazing, thank you so much for sharing this information. Keep up the good work.

  26. May 5, 2022 / 10:06 am

    You have done a fantastic job putting this together! Thank you for this engaging and informative content. I am looking forward to your other posts!

  27. April 26, 2024 / 6:41 am

    Roof leaks can be a nightmare, causing damage to both property and peace of mind. It’s crucial to address them promptly to prevent further issues. Whether it’s a small repair or a larger fix, investing in professional roof repair is worth every penny. Don’t delay—protect your home and belongings from the perils of water damage.

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