Are you running out of pots and pans to hold leaking water from the roof and ceiling? Then it’s high time to start repairing a roof leak. Let’s face it. A roof is an expensive investment that protects the interior of your home from weather elements like wind, rays of the sun, snow and rain. Problem is there are times when your roof starts to leak. If this problem is left unresolved, not only will the leaking water damage your ceiling and attic, it will result in the growth of mold and algae.

This is not what you want especially since you want to protect your family from respiratory problems brought about by spores from mold. What you need to know is that roof leaks vary from small to extensive. In this guide, you will get to learn how to identify a roof leak and repairing a roof leak. Remember, this guide is for small leaks which can be solved with quick fixes. Read on to know what happens if you encounter extensive leaks.

Step One – Identify the roof leak

To correctly identify a roof leak, you have to determine the cause, first. There are several which mean taking time to carefully evaluate every option. During summer, roofing leaks may occur due to poor installation of roofing materials, poor design of the building, roof damage like missing shingles or bad flashing. Others include missing flashing and roof damage.

During winter, roof leaks may occur as a result of ice dams, frost, bad snow removal job, frozen pipes and large amounts of snow among others. Start by assessing the roof for missing shingles, bad flashing or snow build up. Mark the location with white paint or chalk. This makes it easier to identify when making repairs.

Step Two – Repairing a damaged shingle

During your assessment, you have identified that a damaged shingle is the root cause of water leaking into your home. You can perform a quick fix thus preventing the problem from escalating. Here is how you can accomplish this. Start by purchasing a tube of roofing cement and a piece of aluminum flashing. Cut the aluminum flashing as per the instructions before fitting.

Using a flat pry bar, carefully loosen the damaged shingle. Apply three beads of roofing cement beneath the shingle before slipping the aluminum flashing. Apply pressure on the area to ensure the flashing bonds with the shingle.

Step Three – Switching the shingle

Shingles are installed in over 80% of homes in the US. As a popular and common roofing style, it is designed to withstand damage. Problem is over time, the shingles do age resulting in damage or split. This will cause the roof to leak. You can repair this problem with a quick fix. Here is how you can do it.

Take a chisel and hammer, split the shingle into narrow pieces. Using a pair of pliers, yank the pieces from the roof. Take a hacksaw blade and cut through the nails that held the old shingle. Proceed by trimming the new shingle with a utility knife before sliding it into position. Drive two nails below the shingle’s butt edge and finally, tap the shingle into place.

Step Four – Repairing leaks around the chimney

Due to age and exposure to weather elements, the chimney’s paint will start to peel. This will allow water to seep through and find its way through the ceiling and into your living room, kitchen or even the bedroom. Repairing this is easy. Start by installing a copper cap. You can find this at the local home repair and building supply store. What the rain cap will do is prevent the water from bulking up.

Step Five – Hire a professional roofing contractor

While there are roof leaks you can fix with supplies from the local building supply outlet, others need the attention of a professional roofing contractor. For starters, contractors are well trained, skilled and experienced. Next, they are licensed and insured. Lastly, they are certified installers who possess the knowledge of working with different brands.

To hire the best roofing contractor, start with local family owned companies, request for references, read customer reviews online and research at the local Chamber of Commerce or BBB. Hiring a professional Calgary Residential Roof Repair will ensure the complete inspection of your roof, provision of a detailed report plus suitable and affordable solutions to help remedy the situation.

What to do to prevent injuries

Fixing your roof exposes you to a lot of danger. You may end up falling off the ladder or the roof injuring your back. This is not good. What you ought to know is that you can avoid this. Here is how.

  1. Equip yourself with the appropriate safety equipment. While shopping at the local home repairs outlet purchase working gloves, work boots, safety harness, a ladder, hard hat and protective eye wear among others. It is important to ensure that the purchased or hired ladder has brackets.
  2. To prevent you from slipping, choose a sunny and less cloudy day to work on fixing the roof leak. You need to make sure that the roof is not wet. What you need to know is that dark colored shingles do hide ice patches. Be careful!
  3. Once you step on the roof, make a point of securing the lifeline to the chimney or any other stable structure on the roof. This will support you in case you slip.

Final Thoughts

As a home owner, it is important to protect your family and the interior of your home from roof leaks. If you notice stains on your ceiling or mold, then your roof is leaking. Repairing a leak early prevents the problem from escalating. Furthermore, it saves you a lot of money. If the problem is extensive;

Hire a professional roofing expert immediately!