When you find water stains on the ceiling or the run-down walls, it will most likely mean that you have a leaky roof. When this happens, the first thing that needs to be done it to figure out its source.
Tracking down the source of the leak is not easy as the stains do not always appear where the source is. The water can trickle down from a distance and pool up to make a stain. However, once the source is located, leaky roof repair is relatively easy.
1. Keep A Lookout For Signs For Repair
You should always keep a lookout for signs which would indicate that you need to have your roof repaired. Water stains, mold, algae, shingles that are curled, cracked or missing, blisters and bubbles are common signs when a roof has started to leak. Taking action right at the start of the problem will save you from trouble later on.
2. Fix the Leaky Roof Right Away to Avoid Potential Hazard
When a roof starts to leak, it needs to be fixed straight away even if you think it is minor. A small leak can become quite problematic even over a short period of time. It can lead to mold, rotted framing and sheathing, destruction of insulation and extensive damage to ceilings. Dealing with a leak problem at the start will save you from spending money on subsequent repairs.
3. Find the Source of the Leak
When you find a potential leak, you should immediately start to track it in order to get to the source. From the stain, start to look uphill and search for any kind of penetrations as items that penetrate the roof are by far the most common source of leaks. Anything that projects through the roof can turn out to be the potential cause for leaks. Penetrations such as plumbing and roof vents, chimneys, and dormers need to be inspected carefully.
4. Fix Plumbing Vent Boots
The plumbing vent boots can be made of all plastic, plastic and metal, or even two-piece metal units. When a leak develops, you should check the plastic bases for any cracks and the metal bases if they have any broken seams. After this, you need to examine the rubber boot that surrounds the pipe as it can be rotted away or torn. This damage causes the water to flow into the house along the pipe. The boot needs to be replaced in order to fix the issue. If the boot is in good shape and only the nails at the base are missing, you can replace those with screws that have rubber washers. Taking these measures will fix your leak problem.
5. Fix the Problematic Roof Vents
If you have plastic roof vent, you should check for cracked housings and if the roof is metal one, you should search of broken seams. If you find the cracks and breaks, you need to replace the damaged vents. Any missing or free nails should be replaced with the ones that have rubber washers as they are specially designed for roofs. Caulking will only provide a short-term solution. Replacing the damaged vents will ensure that no water seeps through and the roof is protected from leak damage.
6. Fix Walls and Dormers
The shingled surface is not always the cause of leaking problem. Sometimes, rainwater comes in from above the roof, especially around windows, between corner boards and siding, and through cracks and knotholes in siding. The dormer walls offer a number of places where water can trickle down and get into the roof. The caulk around it can be old, cracked or even go missing between the corner boards and between window edges and siding.
Even if it appears to be intact, the caulk may not be providing efficient sealing against the surfaces. Through these cracks, the water can go through and work its way behind the flashing and into the house. In order to fix the issue, the cracked, rotted or missing siding needs to be replaced.
Roofs are part of the house that are exposed to various kinds of weather conditions. Following the leaky roof repair tips will help you keep your roof safe from long term damage.
