Waking up to a leaky roof can cause stress, frustration, and even panic as homeowners scramble to determine the source of the leak and prevent further water damage to their ceilings, insulation, and roofing material.
Roof Leak Signs
A leaking roof often requires quite a bit of detective work to find the drip’s entry point. However, early signs such as interior water stains after a recent storm can quickly reveal damage and provide a convenient starting point to locate the source of the water.
Additional signs of a leaky roof include:
● Damp spots on your walls, ceilings, or around vents and fireplaces
● Moisture or drips on your walls or ceiling
● Visible changes in your roof’s appearance
● Cracked sealants or damaged flashing around brick chimneys
● Moisture, mold, or mildew on the underside of the roof, in the insulation of your house, or your attic
How to Find a Roof Leak
To find a leak in your roof, begin by scanning the area surrounding the leak’s spot, specifically those directly above the leak. Check for any noticeable roof penetrations, damaged shingles, or discolored areas that appear darker than the rest of your roof sheathing.
If your initial search doesn’t uncover the leak, turn your focus to the most common leak locations.
Common Roof Leak Locations:
1. Roof Valleys
Rooftop valleys, or the intersection of multiple shingle planes, require roofing contractors to trim each shingle to ensure that they fit together. If even a single shingle cut misaligns with the shingle next to it, water can seep into the underside of your roof and cause a leak.
2. Shingles
You may need to devote quite a bit of time to inspect your roof for broken, curled, or misshapen shingles, tiles, and shakes, but a damaged shingle can result in significant leaks if you’re not careful. Search for cracks, loose or missing nails, and other irregularities to determine the source of the drip.
3. Chimney Flashing
Every chimney in your house requires four types of flashing, plus proper installation, to prevent leaks. Check your chimney flashing for cracks, holes, broken corners, or hairline fissures that could allow moisture to damage your rooftop, attic, or interior.
4. Air Vents, Roof Vents, and Vent Boot Flashings
Rubber seals and metal storm collars work to prevent water from seeping through vent pipes in your rooftop. Loosened collars or cracked rubber often reveal themselves as the source of rooftop leaks.
Finding Hidden Leaks
If all else fails, the garden hose method remains a useful technique to locate a leak. Safely stand on your roof while a friend or loved one waits inside, keeping an eye out for drips.
Soak isolated areas of your roof using the hose. Start low, working your way up, and let the water run for a few minutes before moving on to another section. When your helper notices a drip, ask them to yell, then take a closer look at the troublesome area to find the source of the problem.
How to Fix Roof Leaks
While you may prefer to call a professional roofing team, you sometimes need to fix a leaky rooftop quickly. If severe weather has damaged your dwelling or you’ve noticed new or worsening ceiling stains, you can easily protect your property with a few easy, beginner-friendly techniques.
However, please remember that you should never attempt to patch or repair a leaking rooftop during a storm. If dealing with inclement weather, place a bucket beneath the drip and wait until the weather has passed.
DIY Leak Repair Methods
(always consult a roofing professional before working on your own roof)
Creating Temporary Patches
To create a temporary patch, you’ll need a few two-by-fours and enough plastic sheeting to cover the damaged part of your rooftop. Secure the sheeting to the wood with staples, then cover the leaky spot until a contractor can permanently repair your roofing.
Replacing Vent Boots
If you discover leaky vent boots on your roof, you can purchase replacement boots at most hardware or home improvement stores. Simply remove the old boots and secure your new purchases with fresh nails or screws.
Updating Flashing
Similar to vent boots, you can usually find flashing replacements at a hardware store. Cut flashing into lengths to match the planes of your rooftop, then secure by nailing into your rooftop decking.
When to Call in a Roofing Expert for Roof Leak Repair.
Especially in Shepherdsville, Taylorsville, Mt. Washington, and Brooks, KY
In general, you should leave roofing repairs to the experts. At Cervices Roofing, our licensed and insured team of contractors has years of experience safely navigating slippery, steep roofs. We have the equipment and roofing materials necessary to get the job done quickly and effectively, so you don’t have to worry about water leaks anymore.
For more information about our leak repair services, roof maintenance options, and a free estimate for Bullitt County, KY, roofing services, call us today at (502) 747-1342.
Trust Cervices Roofing for Rooftop Leak Repair
When you need to find a roof leak and repair it fast, call our team of roofing professionals at Cervices Roofing. We can handle the detective work, minor repairs, and major problems with ease—and at a price you’ll love.
Don’t let a leaky roof keep you awake at night. If you need roof repairs fast, our team at Cervices Roofing has got you covered. Call us at (502) 747-1342 today, and one of our experts will schedule an appointment to visit your home for quick, affordable roof leak repair in Bullitt County and Shepherdsville, KY.
For more information regarding our roof repair services or to inquire about free, no-obligation estimates from one of our Cervices Roofing contractors, give us a call at (502) 747-1342.
502-747-1342