How to Patch a Roof
Your roof protects your home from the elements. When there’s a leak or any other issue up there, it’s important to address it quickly. If a roofing problem is left alone, it can lead to bigger problems—rotted decking, damaged insulation, stained ceilings, and in some cases mold.
While there are plenty of things that can go wrong on a roof, some of the most common problems homeowners (and commercial property owners) deal with include leaks, small holes, and cracks:
In this post, we’ll walk through the process of finding a leak and the typical ways a roof gets patched.
Locating Leaks
Sometimes a roof leak is obvious. You notice a drip, a wet spot, or a stain that suddenly shows up. Other times, it’s slower and harder to pinpoint. Water can travel along decking, rafters, or insulation before it appears inside your home.
If you want to patch a roof correctly, step one is always the same: find where the water is actually getting in.
Look for Penetrations
Start with anything that cuts through the roof surface. These are common leak areas because they rely on flashing and seals to stay watertight. Penetrations typically include:
- Plumbing vents
- Roof vents
- Chimneys
- Any pipe, hood, or projection that extends through the roof
As you inspect, look for obvious red flags like cracked rubber boots, loose flashing, exposed nail heads, lifted shingles near the penetration, or sealant that has dried out and separated.
If getting onto your roof is unsafe—or you’re not sure what you’re looking at—it’s usually smarter to call a professional rather than guess.
Utilize the Attic
If you have attic access, use it. This is often the fastest way to narrow down the leak path.
Bring a bright flashlight and scan the underside of the roof deck. Look for:
- Water stains or darker “tracks” on the wood
- Damp insulation
- Black marks or signs of mold growth
- Wet areas around vents, chimneys, and valleys
If you don’t have attic access, your options are limited to exterior inspection. Either way, if you want proper safety and a professional opinion, schedule a roofing inspection here:
Locating Difficult Leaks
Some leaks are stubborn. Wind-driven rain can push water sideways. Water can also enter in one spot and show up several feet away. If you can’t find it with a visual inspection, a controlled hose test can help.
This is a two-person job:
- One person stays inside under the general leak area
- The other is on the roof using a garden hose
Start low and work slowly upward in sections. For example, around a chimney: soak the lowest (downhill) section first, then the sides, then the upper areas. Keep the hose on one section for a few minutes before moving to the next. When water shows up inside, you’ve narrowed the general source.
Once you’ve identified the general area, you often have to lift or remove shingles to find the exact entry point. If the roof is steep, high, or slippery, that’s a good place to stop and let a pro handle it.
Choose Your Patching Method
After you find the leak (or after an inspection), the next step is choosing the right repair approach. “Patching a roof” can mean different things depending on what failed.
Fixing Vent Issues
If a plumbing vent boot is cracked, split, or deteriorated, replacing the boot often solves the problem. If the vent itself is old, damaged, or improperly installed, replacing the entire vent assembly may be necessary.
The good news is that these parts are usually affordable, and the repair is typically straightforward for an experienced roofer.
Patching Holes
Tiny holes can cause slow leaks that take a long time to show up. These are often caused by old mounting brackets, removed hardware, or exposed fasteners.
A common mistake is trying to “seal the hole” with roof cement or caulk and calling it done. That can work temporarily, but it’s not always a long-term fix—especially in areas where water flows heavily or where expansion and contraction will crack the seal.
A better repair typically involves using flashing so the roof sheds water naturally instead of relying on sealant alone. This is one of the reasons it’s often best to have a professional handle hole repairs.
Temporary patches vs. real repairs
If you have active leaking during a storm, a temporary patch can reduce interior damage. Just keep the expectations realistic: a temporary patch is meant to buy time, not permanently solve the issue.
If your roof is leaking repeatedly, if you see soft decking, or if multiple areas show damage, you may be dealing with a bigger problem than a simple patch.
Bert Roofing Can Fix Your Roof ASAP!
The Bert family has been involved in professional roofing since the 1960s. Over the decades, we’ve built a knowledgeable team that can diagnose leaks accurately and repair them the right way. Your roof is a major investment, and it deserves competent work—not guesswork.
If you want to solve a puzzling leak once and for all, contact Bert Roofing today for a FREE quote: