A leaking roof can be such a nuisance especially if it is left unrepaired. The water leaking into your house can cause extensive damage, including damaging electronics, damaging paint jobs, among other things. A leaking roof is not only dangerous during the rainy season; it should be a source of concern during any weather. It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to dealing with this kind of damage. A tiny leak can turn into a huge issue in the event of a heavy downpour. The heavy downpour will exploit the small leak on your roof and turn it into a nightmare. When it comes to handling leaks, time is of the essence if you wish to avoid huge repair costs in the future. In this article, I will be exploring ways in which you can repair a leaking roof from the inside.

How to Fix A Leaking Roof From The Inside?

How to Find a Leak?

The hardest part of repairing a leaking roof is locating the leak. Regardless of whether your roof is flat or sloped, a leak is a huge risk to the structural integrity of your house or building. For instance, once rainwater enters, it may soak the insulation and cause sheetrock walls to crumble. Below are tips on how to spot a leak on your roof:

Get into your attic to observe your roof’s underside

Repairing leaking roofs normally commences with some detective work. At this point, you need to have a flashlight to spot the leak. In case your attic lacks proper flooring, step from one joist to the other carefully. Once you are stable, use the flashlight to spot the leak or leaks on the underside of your roof. Try to spot areas that appear to be darker than the sheathing around them. Generally, if there has been no rain, it is usually difficult to spot moist spots. However, mold tends to linger long after the rain is gone. If you observe a patch of mold, you have identified a possible leak on your roof.

Trail Damaged Insulation to the Leak

Insulation obscures the underside of your roof. This might be helpful when trying to find the leak. Generally, the deterioration of insulation occurs more profoundly and noticeably compared to wood. If you notice some damage on one side of the insulation, this does not necessarily mean that it is the origin of the leak. The leak may be a few feet from the damage. To find the leak, you should remove the insulation surrounding the area you observe signs of a leak. By doing this, you will be able to track the water’s path to its point of entry. Lastly, when working with insulation, you must always wear protective gear.

Search the roof for objects that have pierced it

Objects such as errant nails create the most noticeable leaks. If there are no piercing objects, you should inspect the roof vents. Roof vents can be located near gable ends and ridges. As time lapses, the seal around your roof’s vents may allow water to get in as they are weakened by the elements.

The water hose method

Dry weather may prevent you from locating a leak. Use a water hose to simulate a rainstorm. This approach requires two individuals. While one goes up the roof, the other inspects the underside of the roof with a flashlight to locate the leak. The simulation of a rainstorm helps you to observe your roof’s capacity to withstand or fail during an actual storm. This will also help you take the necessary steps to remedy the situation.

How to repair a leak?

Once you have correctly identified the leak or leaks, you can now commence repairing your roof. While you can do it yourself, you should engage the pros to ensure you seal the leak correctly. Below are a few tips on how you can repair your leaking roof.

Materials required

Over 70 percent of roofs today are made from asphalt shingles. They are durable, aesthetic, and affordable compared to other roofing materials. Before starting, you must arm yourself with:

• Roofing adhesive
• Hammer and nails
• Ladder
• Pry bar
• Measuring tape
• Asphalt shingles
• Protective clothing
• Hook blade shingle cutter
• Chalk line

Replace missing or damaged shingles

If your shingles are rotten, cracked, or missing, replacement is the only way to remedy the situation. To remove a damaged shingle, using a pry bar, lift the surrounding shingles to access the nails. Once the nails are out, the shingle is free for removal. Using a utility knife, round the back corners of the new shingle, makes it easier to align it with the others. Lastly, use roof cement to cover the nails and for smoothening the overlapping shingles.

Fix flashing

Metal flashing can cause leaks around dormers and chimneys. However, this can easily be corrected by resealing the leak using a caulk gun. If you notice a previously resealed spot is damaged, use a putty knife to apply a fresh coat of roof cement to the area. If you notice that there is extensive damage to the shingles, it is advisable to engage a roofing professional for an inspection. Remember, spot repairs do nothing to extend the life of a roof that requires shingle replacement.

The difference between a roof patch and a roof repair

Roof repair entails fixing leaks, wear and tear, and minor damages. Roof patching involves the replacement of shingles or fixing a part of the roof. In case of minor damages, a roof patch is the most appropriate way of solving the issue. However, it is always wise to engage a roofing expert to ascertain the extent of the damage.

Patching your roof

When patching up leaking or damaged sections of your roof, you must find out whether other underlying damages have escaped your attention. Patching affects the entire roof, you need to, for instance, ensure you get the same color of shingles. You must also utilize the same materials as your current roof. Depending on your roof’s age, getting shingles that match completely may be a challenge. Engaging a roofing professional helps to ascertain whether your roof needs patching or repair.

Conclusion

The decision to patch, replace or repair your roof is heavily dependent on the extent of its damage. It is also dependent on the aesthetics of your building, and the availability of funds. In the long run, a thorough roof repair or replacement is a good investment. However, if there is a shortage of funds, a roof patch is advisable to stop the damage from spreading.

Do You Need A Roof Leak Inspection?