If you notice some water stains that run across your ceiling or walls, it’s best you fix this problem as soon as possible. Roof repair may be necessary at this point so it may look like a minor problem at first, but in time, it could lead to big problems. Such problems like mold and rotted framing. Roof leaks are pretty easy to fix but finding the point of origin is usually the hard part.
Roof Repair is always best provided by a professional but a way to hold off just in time for help is to do it yourself.
Here are some steps on how to locate and fix your leaking roof;
• Step 1: find the source
It is easier to find the source of a leaking roof when that rooftop is slanted. Start by looking for any roof penetrations by tracing the point of origin from the stains. Most times it is those items that are the most common source of the leakages.
If you have an attic, you could use a lamp or flashlight to find the source. You would either see water stains or mold on the ceiling or walls.
Another way is to pour water on top of the roof. This may require the help of an assistant. As you continually flood the top of your roof, your assistant will be inside of the house to determine the exact spot of the leak. This may take some time, so make sure you have some food down for the long haul.
Step 2: Examine the roof
Look for damaged, curled or missing shingles around where the leak is coming from. Try and also see if there are any loose nails or tacks around the roof too.
Step 3: Straighten it out
Straighten out or replace curled and damaged shingles. This may be easier during the warm or hot season. But during the cold season, heat is required. It is not advisable to use an open flame heat source as the shingles may be flammable. An electric dryer is better suited for the job at hand. Also, excess heat will damage the shingles. So caution is advised when handling such a task.
Step 4: Roof repair
Now, it is time to reattach your shingles with a suitable amount of asphalt roofing cement around the exposed edges of the roof.
And voila! You have completed repairing your roof.
If the shingle goes off the roof with little or no effort, breaks, or just crumbles to pieces, then it needs to be replaced immediately.
- • Start by removing the old shingle by lifting up its edges and prying out the nail.
- • Remove any leftover roofing cement by scraping the area underneath it.
- • Use a knife to round off the edges of the new shingle carefully.
- • Now slide this new shingle in and drive some 1 1⁄4-inch galvanized nails into each corner.
- • Finally, cover the nail heads with asphalt roofing cement.
Sometimes, roof repair may be more technical. In such cases, contact a licensed roofing contractor.
For more information, contact My Florida Roofing Contractor.
