Roofs can last anywhere from 12 to 50 years, depending on the type of roof you have. If you recently noticed that your roof was leaking or you might need to repair an area of your roof for one reason or another, we are here to share our tips so that you can do it the right way.
Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of fixing your roof correctly.
Torn, Loose, Missing Shingles
If you need to replace some shingles, you will first have to gather a few tools. Grab a hammer, a flat bar, a ladder, roofing nails, a caulk gun, a roofing sealant, and the new shingles. Make sure that you do this repair on a day that is not too cold or too hot because shingles get soft and brittle in extreme temperatures, making them hard to work with.
First, you will slide your flat bar up under the first nail and with the hammer hit the bar until the nail comes out. Repeat this on all the bad shingles that you need to replace. Then, grab your new shingles and start with the lowest course and nail each new shingle into place.
When you reach the last course, lift up the shingle above to drive in the nails and then squeeze a bead of the roof sealant under the leading edge of every new shingle you just replaced and on the shingles directly above the new ones.
Leaky Roofs
If you notice that you have a leak either because you can see water coming inside your home or you notice a stain on your ceiling then you will first have to locate where the leak is. Grab a flashlight and ladder and climb into your attic and see if you can locate where the roof is leaking from.
A good place to start is by inspecting the roof vents because these are major sources of roof leaks. These vents include turbines, attic fans, and plumbing soil stack pipes.
If you notice that the roof vents are the source of the leak check the vent condition to see if the boots or the housings cracked. Sometimes you need to check if the vent is dislodged because if this is the case it can be an easy fix of nailing the vent back down.
When the roof vent is damaged use a pry bar to pull out all the nails that are holding the shingles to the vent. Have someone help you by holding the shingles covering the base of the vent, but do not remove those shingles.
Just remove the nails holding the vent and remove it. If you’re planning a roofing or remodeling job, you can then remove both the vent or vents along with all the shingles so that you can change everything out. Keep in mind that in this case, you will also have to remove the old roofing paper.
Finding Difficult Leaks
Sometimes finding the leak can be tricky. If you are having trouble finding the leak, then you want to find someone to help you. Go on the roof with a hose and soak the area where you think the leak is and have your helper inside the house looking for any drips.
We recommend isolating areas when you turn the hose on. This will make it easier to notice where the leak is coming from. You can have your helper yell or give them a walkie-talkie to let you know when they notice any dropping.
Remember to be patient because moving the hose too soon can make you miss the leak. If you don’t notice the drip, then remove shingles in the area that you suspect the leak is, and see if you notice water stain or rotted wood under those shingles you remove.
Ready to Fix Your Roof Like a Pro?
With our tips on fixing your roof correctly, you can make an informed decision on which route you have to take to get your roof up to par. Remember that a leaky roof is a major problem because it can quickly cause major issues from mold and mildew spreading to running the flooring in your home. Repairing the roof on your own is relatively inexpensive and taking care of problems as soon as you notice them will help you save money in the long run.
We have more articles to help you around your house. Keep browsing this section for our latest articles.
