Wondering how to fix a leaky roof? Our experts at AmeriPro Roofing provide step-by-step guidance and professional services to address leaks quickly and effectively. As a homeowner, you have many maintenance tasks to take care of regularly. From house painting to winter-proofing your pipes, there is never a shortage of chores. Although it’s tempting to ignore a roof leak for a while, it’s one of the most important things to fix immediately. Seventy to ninety percent of home catastrophe losses are roof-related, and only 38% of homeowners in America regularly check their roofs.
What Can Happen if You Don’t Fix a Leaky Roof?
One of the first things homeowners notice when they have a leaky roof is a water spot on their ceiling. Roof leaks can happen for different reasons, such as aging, lack of maintenance, excessive moisture, corrosion, roof cracks and damaged tiles. Water can also go to other places, like the attic floor, into walls and onto the framing.
A leaky roof can lead to several issues:
- Insulation damage can be substantial due to water entering your attic and requiring replacement.
- Mold thrives in damp environments. When water seeps and leaks onto wood, it causes dry rot and mold. Mold can cause several health issues, such as allergies and dermatitis.
- Electrical damage is another issue that can arise from a leak in your roof. Water can seep into electrical components like outlets, wires and circuit breakers, leading to damage and serious safety hazards.
- Costly home repairs may be necessary if the roof is severely deteriorated, damaging drywall, flooring and household belongings.
If you see water entering near open wiring, don’t attempt to fix it yourself. Shut off your power, and call an electrician and AmeriPro Roofing.
How to Fix a Leaky Roof
If you are ready to take on the work, we’ll walk you through some steps to fix minor roof issues and how to prevent future damage or leakage.
Step 1: Identify Signs of Leakage
If you have a leaking roof, you’ll likely see some of these signs inside your house:
- Water spots on the ceiling, flooring or walls
- Peeling paint near the roof
- Light coming through the roof
- Damp or moldy attic insulation
- Dripping sound in the attic
- Musty or moldy odors
- Visible mold or mildew
Look for these leaking roof signs outside your home:
- Missing or damaged shingles
- Loose or damaged flashing
- Damaged roof pipes
- Sagging areas on the roof
- Visible algae growth or dark streaks
Step 2: Exercise Safety Measures
Always keep security in mind when attempting to fix a leaking roof on your own:
- Have the correct tools. A ladder, proper shoes and a safety harness are essential tools when fixing a roof.
- Have someone on the ground. Ensure someone is there to secure you while you work on the roof.
- Secure the harness and ladder properly. Make sure your harness is properly attached and the ladder is safely placed on the ground and not moving around.
- Choose the right weather to work on your roof. Dry months are the best. A sunny, wind-free day is ideal for roof work.
Step 3: Identify Where the Leak Is Coming From
Access the attic and look for telltale signs of water leaks, such as water stains, mold or mildew. Trace the signs of the water leak up the roof and rafters to the entry point. The visible signs of a leak may be several feet away from the source.
If the source of the leak isn’t apparent, you’ll need to use a hose to mimic heavy rains. With one person in the attic, have another person bring a hose onto the roof. Carefully spray water above the leak, move the hose around until water droplets appear inside the attic, and notify the person on the roof to mark the location.
Common sources of leakage include:
- Roof vent: Roof vents have flashing around them and a rubber boot that helps seal the top of the vent. Over time, the flashing or boot may become damaged or cracked, resulting in a leak.
- Chimney: Cracks in the chimney crown and worn flashing often cause leaks around chimneys.
- Roof valley: This is the area where two planes of a roof come together. It leaks when the seal is damaged or improperly placed.
Step 4: Repair Damaged Flashing
Follow these steps to fix damaged flashing:
- Clean the flashing area.
- Apply sealant to the damaged flashing.
- Smooth the area evenly.
Step 5: Repair Damaged Shingles
Follow these steps to repair your damaged shingles:
- Avoid working in extreme temperatures.
- Use a bar to break the seal.
- Remove the nails between the shingles.
- Install new shingles, starting from the bottom to the top.
- Apply sealant on the edge and beneath the new shingles.
Step 6: Repair the Damaged Vent Boot
Here are a few steps to fix a leaking roof vent:
- Measure the diameter of your vent.
- Choose a boot according to the diameter.
- Remove the old flashing.
- Apply sealant to the new flashing.
- Slide the new unit over the pipe.
- Secure with nails.
- Seal the exposed nail heads.
If you’ve identified significant leakage or water coming in from different places, we highly recommend calling a professional who can asses the problem. They will proceed according to your local security measures and ensure you don’t lose your material warranty.
How Routine Roof Inspections Can Prevent Leaks
A roof’s life span is typically between 20 and 25 years. Having your roof checked by a professional annually can catch small leaks and issues before they become big problems or even floods, ultimately extending the service life of your roof.
The cost of a full roof replacement is between $6,700 and $80,000, while roof repairs may range between $150 and $7,000, depending on the roof design and materials.
Consider a roof inspection similar to your yearly medical or dental checkup. Like a trusted doctor, a professional roofer can see issues you might not know are there.
A good roof inspection should cover these main items:
- Missing or damaged shingles
- Granule loss on shingles
- Caulking problems that can let water in
- Deteriorated or missing flashing
- Pipes without rubber boots
- Pipes with rotted boots
- Sagging areas or wood rot
- Missing or damaged chimney caps
- Damaged or unsecured gutters
- Fascia board damage or dry rot
As a homeowner, you can always keep an eye on the above items yourself. However, roof maintenance, repair and replacement are risky jobs. Scheduling an annual checkup is the best way to save money from roof damage and keep yourself out of harm’s way.
Prevent Roof Leaking With Storm Prep
Whether you’re in an area of the country with heavy rain, snow or winds, you must be prepared to avoid a leaky roof repair. Inspecting your roof is smart as you’re getting ready for summer and winter weather. That way, if you have a few shingles loose or areas that water or moisture can get into, it’s fixed before the storms arrive.
A well-cared-for roof has a much better chance of surviving a bad storm without major damage than a neglected one. The best time to get ready for a storm is when the sun shines. Scheduling is easier, and there’s a good chance regular maintenance costs less than the leaky roof repair. If you have storm damage, your insurance company will be more likely to cover it if your roof is well-maintained.
Prevent Roof Deterioration With Attic Ventilation
Good attic ventilation plays a significant role in protecting your roof or preventing further deterioration. Attics can be out-of-mind home spaces that, with some extra attention, can help keep your roof in good shape.
Your attic may require better airflow if you notice:
- Extra warmth in the attic during summer.
- Moisture buildup.
- Signs of mold or mildew.
- Peeling paint or wallpaper.
Here are four ways you can improve your attic ventilation:
- Powered or solar attic fans can help improve ventilation by expelling hot air from your attic.
- Adding insulation to your attic prevents the heat in your home from transferring to the attic, helping lower the temperature.
- Turbine vents use airflow to expel hot air from your attic, making them a great energy-efficient option for windy places.
- Properly installed attic vents can increase ventilation. Different types include soffit, ridge, gable, roof, rafter and insulation vents.
Besides assessing and choosing the right ventilation system to improve airflow in your attic, maintenance is always a great way to prevent damage to your home. Visit your attic often and make sure the ventilation is working. Also, check for humidity, mold and mildew, and keep debris out of your ventilation system.
AmeriPro Roofing Takes Care of Your Roof
At AmeriPro Roofing, we understand the importance of proper home maintenance. As a company dedicated to fixing roofs since 2000, we can provide an affordable estimate to help you fix your roof before the rainy weather starts.
Leaks are no match for our team, and we have locations nationwide. Contact us and schedule a complimentary inspection of your roof today.
