Finding A Roof Leak: How To Find And Repair A Roof Leak Fast

Roof leaks can be a real disaster; as water trickles into the home, it starts to wear away at wooden beams and materials, causing cracks, mold, mildew and water damage. How can you find where the leak is, and how can it be repaired? Here are a few tips.

Start From the Point of Visible Damage

If you have a crack in your ceiling or other obvious sign of water damage, then the first thing you should do to find a leak is to look directly above that spot. If your roof is slanted, remember that the water may have rolled down it until it reached a hole. Check all areas above the watermarks.

If you have an attic upstairs, look for marks or areas where water has been left to puddle. If you can watch water falling from the ceiling, you should be able to get a good idea of where the leak is in the roof.

If it's no longer raining and the leak seems like it's dried up, you can have someone stand on your roof with a hose. Running water over parts of the roof sections at a time helps you locate the damage, so you can repair it fast.

Look for Curled Shingles

If any shingles are curled up on your roof, they could be the culprit. Start by removing these shingles and replacing them. If there is damage under the shingle, take time to seal it so it's watertight. You can use epoxy, new pieces of wood, or other materials to seal the hole in the roof, depending on its size. In severe cases, the entire panel under your shingles may need to be removed and replaced.

Repair and Seal the Damaged Area

Once you locate the damaged area of the roof and are able to identify the problem, it's time to fix and seal it. Once the internal damage is repaired, you can replace the shingles or install new shingles and use roof asphalt cement to seal them into place. Use a generous amount to help the shingle stay watertight for seasons to come, so you don't end up having to fix the same problem area again.

These are just a few things you can do to fix a leak in your roof. Whether you have to repair a whole section of roofing or just a shingle, taking the time to do this now will save you trouble and prevent damage inside your house later. If you have suffered from water damage in your home, a restoration service can help repair problems that resulted from sudden flooding or a long-term leak. For more information, contact a business such as Absolute Restoration LLC.