You may need to quickly stop a roof leak until a professional roofing contractor can fix the problem completely. But first, you’ll need to locate the source of the leak. It could be damaged shingles, damaged caulking around roof vents, or a leaking pipe.
To fix a leak, you first need to find the source. If it’s not raining and you still have a leak, it’s likely a leaking pipe. If it’s not raining and the leak has stopped, go into the attic or under the crawl space and look for water damage. Once you’ve located the source of the leak, it’s time to fix it.
Leaks Around Roofing Vents, Flashing, and Skylights
This is the easiest type of leak to fix yourself. You’ll need to have a tube or two of roof sealant as well as a caulking gun. First, look for any loose or missing screws or nails. You may need to lift the vent to inspect underneath it. If it looks OK, generously apply roof sealant around all of the seams of the vent or skylight. If it still leaks after this, you’ll need to call a roofer for a more thorough inspection.
Loose or Missing Shingles
You may not be able to see shingle damage from the ground, so, the best way to find this type of leak is by looking underneath the roof from the attic or crawlspace. If you see a water stain, this is the area where the shingles above are damaged.
You can use a rubber roofing sealant on the underside of the leak to temporarily stop it. However, you’ll need to call a roofing contractor to assess the extent of the damage and do a professional repair.
Leaking Pipe
If the source of the leak is a pipe, you’ll need to call a plumber, not a roofer. You may also need to repair any water damage to ceilings and walls. Leaking pipes can easily foster mold growth, so you’ll need to look for that. Mold remediation may also be necessary.
Call a Roofing Contractor
If you feel unsure how to proceed, set an appointment with a licensed roofing contractor. The fact is, you’ll probably need to have a roofing contractor, like Dana Logsdon Roofing, do a professional repair anyway. Sometimes, homeowners can do more harm than good with do-it-yourself roof repairs. A roofing contractor will find the source of the leak and do a permanent repair.
If you need to stop a leak fast, you can try the above fixes. However, your roof is very important and deserves professional attention.
About the author:
Anita is a freelance writer from Denver, CO. She studied at Colorado State University, and now writes articles about health, business, family and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family whenever she isn’t writing. You can follow her on Twitter @anitaginsburg.