Dealing With A Leaking Roof

When you’re a homeowner, you have to expect that over time, various problems concerning certain parts of the house will arise. There are problems that may be ignored and put off for another time. Some problems, however, require immediate attention because not doing anything about will, in the long run, cost us more in more ways than one. A leaking roof is certainly one of those house problems that you have to deal with as soon as you can.

Roof leaks are not unexpected. Your house’s roof, after all, has to deal with a lot of factors, from heavy rains to thick snow to really hot direct sunlight through the years. Sooner or later, your roof will show a clear sign of this wear and tear by leaking water into your ceiling and into your home when the rains come. As stated above, dealing with a leaking roof immediately should be a priority, or the leaky roof is going to inflict more damage and cost you more in the end.

Trace the source of the Leaking Roof

One of the first things you need to do is trace the source of the roof leak. This is probably the hardest part of dealing with a leaking roof. Water, after all, may enter one part of the roof and trickle down to another where it actually soaks the ceiling, effectively making it harder to trace the source of the roof leak. If your house has an attic, go up there with a flashlight on a rainy day. Scan the entire roof with a flashlight and since water reflects light, you should be able to trace the source of the roof leak. Mark the location and wait for a sunny day. Then ask a friend or a member of your household to tap on the mark while you’re up on the roof. In case you don’t have an attic, you can also try to find the leak by checking spots that get the most water damage such as downspouts, gaskets, flashing, gutters, air vents, boots, and dormer valleys.

DIY or call in a Professional Roofer?

When you’ve located the leak, you need to assess its extent and determine whether you can handle it or not. In most cases, the problems are minor enough that you can handle them with basic tools and a little do-it-yourself experience. A single torn shingle or a small hole in flashing, for instance, is nothing a replacement shingle or a little roofing cement can’t handle. However, there are situations where dealing with a leaking roof requires the expertise of a professional roofer.

It’s time to call in a professional roofer when there are multiple leaks. The skills of a professional roofer are also needed when any DIY repairs you make is not holding. When there is considerable damage caused by the leak to the roofing surface of flashed areas, getting the help of a professional roofer is recommended.