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Roof leaks are the caused
by either a flaw in the progression of water
flow or due to the deterioration or flaw in the
roofing material.
Most roofing systems are designed in
such a way that any water will run from the
highest possible point of the roof and flow
downward to the next level until the water
reaches the edge of the roof, where it will
then drain into the gutter system or drip from
the edge of the roof.
When roof leaks do
develop, it can be difficult to locate the
exact spot of a leak.
This is due to the fact that many times
the water spot on your ceiling is not in the
same location as the actual leak in the roof.
This is because water can and often runs
down rafters or trusses and pools in an area
far from the actual source of the problem.
The best way for you to find the true
source of the leak is to actually climb up into
your attic space and examine the underside of
the roof deck for water damage.
Once you locate the water damage,
you’ll have a good idea as to the location
where you should make the necessary repair
work.
Once you have located the
leak, you can usually repair it yourself, with
a little tar, roofing nails and perhaps a few
new shingles.
That is, assuming there is no structural
damage that requires replacing the roof and or
decking. Usually, if you have rain water coming
in through the flat surface of the deck, this
is often because of wind damage to a shingle,
or shingles. However, the damage to the shingle could also be due to
debris from branches falling from a tree.
A quick repair for this problem is to
replace the damaged shingles.
It’s best to use extra shingles left
over from when your roof was shingled to ensure
the best color match.
However, we understand
that most homeowners don't have extra shingles.
Therefore, you’ll need to take a pry
bar and carefully remove the 3 or 4 roofing
nails securing the damaged shingle, making sure
that you do not tear or cause any more damage
to the shingle.
Next, locate the damaged area, then lift
the tabs and apply a generous coat of tar
underneath the tear.
Once you have done this, nail the
shingle back down into place on the deck.
Finally, you want to apply a heavy layer
of tar directly over the tear and a spot of tar
over each nail head.
In addition, if you are unable to use
previous nail holes, then you need to ensure
that you cover these with tar so that they do
not leak as well.
If you live in a cold climate area that
is prone to snow and ice, then you may want to
apply another thin line of tar on the underside
of the shingles, which overlap the damaged
shingle. This
can prevent ice from backing up under the
shingle in the winter.
Though it is true that new shingles
already have a line of tar on the underside, we
recommend that you apply a little more tar to
the underside as you may have broken this seal
when lifting it up to make the repairs.
If the source of the leak
is located from around a chimney, vent, or vent
pipe, then the problem is often that a gap has
developed at the seam where the flashing meets
the chimney or vent pipe.
Gaps usually form when the caulking that
was used has dried out, or if the pipe vent had
been struck by debris or some object and has
shifted slightly, in any case, a new coat of
tar on the seam will often solve the problem.
If however, the flashing
has been pierced either by debris, or by some
other way, t will need to be replaced. Aluminum flashing comes in rolls and can be purchased from
many of your home improvement stores.
Aluminum flashing is flexible and
relatively easy to work with, as it can be cut
with a pair of simple tin snips.
To replace flashing, first carefully
loosen the shingles that cover the old piece of
flashing and then remove it.
Next, tack down the new flashing, using
roofing nails, making sure that the flashing is
tightly sealed to the pipe or chimney that it
protects.
You will want to ensure that you seal
around the edges with a generous coat of tar to
prevent leaks.
Finally, you want to lay back down the
shingles around the new flashing in the same
pattern that they were originally.
Before you tackle repairing any roof leaks, you
must place your safety first.
This means, ensuring that you have a
sturdy ladder that is the proper size to reach
the area you will be working.
In addition, make sure that you have the
proper footwear.
Shoes that do not have proper treading
make for slippery shoes on the roofing surface.
You will also want to ensure that you
have a partner to help you with your repairs,
as any roofing repair job does involving some
risk, and having another person there could
help prevent you from getting into a sticky
situation.
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