Your roof is what protects your home from the elements. In fact, our roofs may be the single most important part of our homes or any building for that matter. That being said, when there is a leak or another issue with our roofs, it’s vital to fix these problems right away. If a roofing issue is left unfixed, then that can lead to many detrimental problems; some of which being very dangerous and even life-threatening.
While there are tons of different issues that can happen with a roof, one of the most common problems that homeowners or commercial property owners deal with involves leaks, holes, and cracks.
In this post, we’ll talk about the process involved when trying to patch a roof.
Locating Leaks
Let’s say that you’re eating dinner with the family and it hits you — it literally hits you right in the head. It’s a drip of water. And as you may sit there very disappointed, you’ll have to consider how the leak will be fixed. However, finding a leak doesn’t always play out like that; sometimes you have to try to locate these leaks yourself.
Look for Penetrations
As you’re conducting a visual inspection of your roof, try to locate any roof penetrations. This typically involves areas that have a plumbing vent, roof vent, chimney, or anything else that extends through your roof. Since these areas essentially cut a hole into your roof, they are likely culprits to a leak. In fact, it is pretty rare for leaks to happen in any other location. If getting onto your roof is an issue, or you have no idea what to look for, then it is highly recommended to call a professional roofing company.
Utilize the Attic
If you have access to your attic, then this can be a great resource for finding leaks in your roof. To do this effectively, head to your attic space with a heavy-duty flashlight. As you shine it on the ceiling (the underside of your roof), keep an eye out for water stains, black marks, or signs of mold. Unfortunately, if you don’t have access to your attic, then the only way to check for these culprits is by hopping onto your roof. To ensure proper safety precautions and professional work, we recommend choosing a reputable roofing service provider for a roofing inspection.
Locating Difficult Leaks
On some occasions, it won’t be easy to simply use the tips above to find a leak. In fact, understanding where your leaks are located might be very difficult. One solution for finding those pesky leaks involves using a garden hose. This is a two-person project, so be sure to find someone who is willing to help. To do this correctly, one person should head onto the roof with the hose in hand while the other goes inside the home underneath the location where the drip is occurring. It’s important to isolate areas using the hose and start low. For example, soak the lowest, downhill section of your chimney first, then each side, followed by the top on each side. During this process, the helper should be inside the home paying close attention to any drips that appear. Be sure to let the hose run for a few minutes before moving on to another section of the roof. When drips do occur in the home, have your helper yell out so you’re aware. Once you have a general idea of where the leak is hidden, you’ll then want to remove shingles in order to find the exact location. To ensure a safe and effective process, a great option would be to schedule an inspection with a professional roofing company.
Choose Your Patching Method
After finding the leak yourself or after a professional roofing inspection, you’ll then need to understand the best plan of attack. Keep reading for some common patching solutions for your roof.
Fixing Vent Issues
If a plumbing or roof vent is the culprit, then simply replacing the vent boot should do the trick. However, if the whole vent is old or there is damage, then you should replace the whole vent. Luckily, these products are relatively affordable and the installation is easy!
Patching Holes
If you have tiny holes in your shingles, then that can cause rot, leaks, and damage that might take years before the problem is detected. To fix these holes—that are typically caused by mounting brackets—you’ll want to use flashing. To complete this patching method effectively, it’s best to hire a professional.
Bert Roofing Can Fix Your Roof ASAP!
The Bert family has been involved in professional roofing since the 1960s. Through our decades of service and dedication to our craft, we have built a very experienced and knowledgeable team that can handle just about any roofing project. Given how your roof is a huge investment, it deserves to be in great hands.
If you want to solve a puzzling leak once and for all, then contact Bert Roofing today for a FREE quote!