Spotting a roof leak can be complicated, as usually the area where the leaks are not always exactly where the water spots appear on the roof. Water is the most deceptive enemy of the roof, eager to enter your home’s most weak protection. Water can get into the ceiling at one spot and then flow to another before starting to flood the ceiling. Sometimes it’s easy to spot obvious roof damage, missing or damaged shingles, stains on ceilings or walls, but until finding out the leaking shingles, it is most likely that you already have significant water damage done to your roof.
The best thing to do is find the roof damage before the leaks appear. A leaking roof can cause costly damage and can lead to the growth of dangerous mold microorganisms, which can threaten the health of your family and your pets. A leaky roof can also diminish the value of your home, which is not good news if you are trying to sell. If you’ve never tried fixing a leaking roof before, expert advice will help for sure. Here are some of the best tips for repairing a leaky roof from a roofing company in Grain Valley MO. Remember, the next time you see water spots on your walls, is a sure thing that your roof is leaking.
Identify The Roof Leaks
Normally, the first signal of a roof leak is the location and sound of flowing water. However, there are other revealing signs that you’re likely to spot whether it’s raining or not. These include:
- Musty smells in some rooms.
- Water spots on the ceiling.
- Stains on your exterior walls.
- Bulging spots on interior walls.
- Missing or misshapen shingles.
Any of these signs can specify a probable leak somewhere on your ceiling. Unluckily, the first place you notice may not tell you where the leak is. For this, you need to do a little more research.
Look At The Exterior Of Your Roof
A visual examination of your roof can assist you to spot damaged or missing shingles. Damaged shingles can be bent, cracked, or torn. If this type of damage is localized i.e., it covers less than thirty-five percent of the entire roof), roof repairs could solve the problem. Greater damage may require a roof replacement. Also be aware that not only the roof itself but also the chimney, vents, roof flashings, gutters, and fences can also be damaged. Make sure to inspect them for damage as well. If you suspect your roof is damaged, here’s a basic list of what to look for:
- What is the shape of shingles, curled, loss of grain, broken, damaged, or missing shingles?
- A flat roof will have obvious stains, cracks or tears, various blisters or wrinkles also check for patched areas inside the attic. Can you spot the tears, buckling around roof penetrations in the shingles?
- Roofing cement: Excess cement, crumbling, damaged ceilings, and cavities, or other spots.
The Age Of The Roof
Roofing materials, particularly asphalt shingles, age, and tire. An increase and decrease in size with the temperature change cause the aged roof protection to become brittle and eventually crack. Years of strong rays of direct sunlight can melt the tar that holds the composition tiles together. Father Time has yet to lose a battle and when roofing materials are against their lifespan, it will be time to plan a new roof at the first sign of a leak. Sometimes, due to the age of the roof, it becomes necessary to get a New Roof For Home in Grain Valley MO, but most homeowners try to save the cost of installing a new roof. This could eventually become a very dangerous hazard not just for your house but also for the life of your family. Remember, it becomes absolutely essential if the roof has completed its potential life span.
Inspect The Attic
To finding your roof leak, grab a flashlight and go up to your attic. Watch where you step to avoid drilling a hole in the ceiling. You should look for water spots, mildew, or black marks along the ceiling joists and siding. If you live in a townhouse or other unit without an attic (where the houses do not have an attic), check your roof first for signs of damage. If you are renting or owning a unit as part of a condominium, please contact the owner or property manager. They will hire a contractor to find and fix your roof leak. In some events, exposed fingernails/hooks can cause small water spots. When moisture from lower floors meets cold air in the attic, it contracts on the nail at night, then melts during the day when heated. You can easily fix it by cutting the nail under the head with a set of pliers.
Tips for fixing the Roof
Do not Wait
You might neglect the condition and delay repairing a leak in your roof because you have planned to have a new roof next year. However, even a small leak can cause significant dilemmas quite immediately. All this moisture could end up ruining your structure and your sidings. You may find that your insulation is entirely destroyed, which in turn can increase your energy expenses. Plus, it can damage your roof, making it rain inside and out the next time it rains. The best way to fix the problem is to fix it instantly, as soon as you notice your roof is leaking.
Repair Roof/ceiling vents
Check for damaged installations on plastic roof vents and broken gaskets on metal ones. You might like to apply paste or other elements on these plastic roof vents, but this solution will not last long. There is no other solution but to replace damaged vents. Also, look for pulled or missing nails on the bottom edge of the base. Replace them with screws with rubber washers. In most cases, you can remove the nails under the shingles on either side of the vent to free it.
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Fix Flashing Of The Roof
If you notice any damage to the joints, apply a new coat of cement with a putty blade to block moisture from entering. If you need to replace a whole new line of shingles, or if the shingles raise off the roof too easily, you may need to hire a professional roofing company to inspect the damage and provide you with a long-term solution.
