Roof Damage: Knowing How To Spot The Signs And How To Repair If Needed

Being a homeowner means you always need to be vigilant and aware of the state of your structure. From gutters to sprinklers to mold and mildew, there seems to be a never ending list of things that you need to keep a lookout for and stay on top of to ensure that your home stays a good place for your family to live. Additionally, with the current housing market being as competitive as it has been the past few years you want to be sure that you are protecting your investment. No home repair is as dreaded, has the potential to cause as much damage, or is as utterly inconvenient as a leaky roof. 

So, how big of a problem is the leaky roof? Is it something that a homeowner can or should try to tackle alone? When do you call in the professionals? How urgent is it to get a leak fixed? How much damage can a leaky roof potentially do? These are the types of questions professional roofers are fielding all of the time. Here are some tips.

First off, a leaky roof is a big problem and needs immediate attention. When you have a consistent leak it is important to mitigate it as soon as possible. We have all seen the sitcoms or cartoons where families have a pot collecting leaking water; the true story is there is nothing funny about it and a leak should never go ignored. It is important to note that you don’t have to have a consistent flow of water from your ceiling to have a leak. Most leaks are in fact very small and might go unnoticed for a long time. Here are some tips for spotting a leak in your roof before it becomes a major issue

On the inside of your home you want to be aware of any forming water spots in your ceiling or wall. Subtle discoloration or swelling are signs of water spots. Some light bubbling being paint or wall paper may also be a sign of consistent leaking water collecting. From the outside of your home you can spot a potential small leak before it gets to be a huge problem by being aware of a few key things. 

Look out for any missing shingles. Shingles can be blown loose during wind storms and damaged from long exposure to the sun. Any flashing that has pulled away from edges or is missing is also a potential place for water to get in. Flashing is the metal finishing material used to cover any gaps or exposed areas of the roof such as next to the chimney. Keeping a close account of these conditions both inside and outside of the house will help you identify problems that you may be able to handle yourself. 

For the handy homeowner, some of these problems are fixes that can be handled over the weekend. With the right tools and knowing what to look for, minor leaks can be handled by yourself without the need for a professional. When you have water spots inside you will want to follow them up the attic and find the source of your leak. While in the attic, keep a lookout for any mold or mildew. Wet and soggy insulation is a sign that the water has passed through that area. If you find a bigger problem in the attic than you expected, call in the pros to ensure that you and your home are safe and well taken care of. 

After taking a good account of the issues in the attic, locate the source of the leak. From the outside, this may be where flashing is missing or a shingle is gone or become loose. Repairing a missing shingle can be done by a homeowner as well as repairing and replacing missing pieces of flashing. If you take on the repair yourself, keep an eye on the leak for the coming weeks to ensure that the leak has not persisted beyond the repair. 

After you’ve found the leak, it’s time to start patching it. Most leaks are from one of two places: a damaged or eroded roof deck under a shingle, or a cracked or worn roofing element like a vent or chimney cap. To fix a leak on the roof deck under a shingle, you’ll need the following tools and supplies:

• Pry bar or hammer
• Shingle cutter or utility knife
• Calk gun
• Roofing cement (Apoc’s #109 will do nicely)
• Jigsaw
• Replacement shingles
• Roofing paper or preferred underlayment (Epilay Protectite Superior Synthetic Underlayment is a good starting place) 
• Roofing nails
• Sealant 
• Waterproof rated wood for patching

1. Remove the shingles around the leaky area, starting with the shingles above and working your way down
2. Remove the paper or underlayment under the shingles
3. If the hole is too large to patch with some sealant or calk, then you will have to use the jigsaw to cut around the affected area
4. Use the removed piece as a guide for your replacement piece but make it slightly bigger in diameter so you can safely nail around the outside to secure it to the roof
5. Nail the replacement patch to the roof. Put roofing cement all around the edges of the replacement
6. Cover the patched area with roofing paper or underlayment cut to fit
7. Replace old shingles or use new shingles, starting from the bottom up over the patched area

Once the job’s done, then check to see if the leak returns after the next rain storm. If not, then you are in the clear! If it persists, then check your patch or it may be time to consult a professional to see if the problem is perhaps larger than that single leaky area.

A missing piece of flashing can also provide an opportunity. An opportunity to upgrade your home’s look and curb appeal with copper flashing. Roofing Direct has the finest selection of metal flashing available, including beautiful copper flashing available anywhere online. Find the profile you need for your home and order online with no minimums, all for a low flat rate shipping cost. Need a little more product? We would be happy to quote the cost for shipping 10’ profiles directly to your home or jobsite. We can set you up with everything you need for a complete improvement of your roof’s look. 

If your leak is leading more to roof replacement than repair, ensure you and your contractor work with the best and shop at Roofing Direct for the best in shingle and roofing designs as well as all of the other supplies and tools you need to get the job done right. With decades of experience, there is no better company to lean on when it comes to ensuring that the most important part of your home is in the best condition than Roofing Direct. Explore our full selection of roofing shingles and tiles here on our customer friendly website. Realize your home’s full potential with a roof renovation that can improve your home’s efficiency and overall appearance. 

When facing a potential leak remember what and where to look for these three things: mildew, mold, stains, discolorations, and moisture. If you see any or all of those things in your ceiling or attic crawlspace, then you have an issue. Don’t hesitate to call in the professionals when your home’s structure can be at stake. Being vigilant can help you catch early problems and make easy fixes. No matter if you need a new roof or just a couple replacement parts and tools, Roofing Direct is your one stop shop for all things roofing.