Having a leaking roof can be quite frustrating. This is especially the case during wet seasons when there is a lot of rain. Essentially, the house becomes all messy and it might end up damaging some of your priced possessions. Minor roof leaks can be mended without the necessity of having a professional roofer. On the other hand, major leaks require roof leak repair services from a professional roofer.
Mending a minor leak requires you to follow a number of steps. These steps include the following.
First, you need to identify the location of the leak. This involves checking the damage in the roof. It is often easier to do this on a flat roof. Slanted roofs require professional input if you have never done it before. It is advisable to inspect areas that are higher than the roof when you have a slanted roof.
Secondly, you should look for visible damages on the roof. The damages often indicate a problem that needs fixing. Ensure that you look closely for exposed areas that need fixing and tacking. If you discover that some of your shingles are curled, you should straighten them. When straightening the shingles during cold weathers, it is necessary to soften them using heat from hair dryers. You are advised not to use torches or open flames since some of the shingles such as asphalt are flammable. Ensure that you replace the damaged shingles.
Thirdly, if your roof is not made of shingles, then you should inspect for cracks or blisters that normally occur in the roofing material. Upon locating the blisters, you should cut a line through them using a utility knife. Make sure that you do not cut the sound roofing. After cutting through, soak up any water content within and leave the area to be completely dry. This should be followed by spreading a good amount of roofing cement to block the affected areas. Make sure that you drive galvanized nails along the sides of repaired blisters. Cover the nails and the galvanized region with more roofing cement.
Fourthly, if you have damaged shakes, it is important to locate the affected region. After locating the affected region, you can split the damaged shakes using a hammer and a chisel. This is an important step for removing the pieces. When doing this, make sure that you remove or cutoff the ends of any nails. If you cannot remove the nails, you should find a way of working around them. After removing the shake, slide into place a new shake and hammer it in using a galvanized roofing nail. Ensure that you use a caulking compound to seal the nails.
In cases where the leak is caused by water pipes, it is important to ensure that the pipes are properly fixed. In this case, it is advisable to work with a professional roofer. Professional roofer always offer important information when it comes to resolving such leaks. Lastly, it is important to be on the lookout when it comes to your roof. Consistent monitoring will help you to deal with any cases of damaging leaks that might be detrimental to your family and home. Find roof leak repair services from a professional roofer.