Whether you happen to enjoy some DIY work or you prefer to stay out of the details of home maintenance, the appearance of potential roof repairs is the kind of situation that demands immediate attention and can be a big problem. While you’ll want to assess your comfort level in dealing with a leaking roof, the following tips will help you work out a solution.
Pinpoint the Location of the Leak
While a stream of water coming from your roof might seem to be a sure-fire sign of the location of a leak, that’s not always the way it works. Though leaks will often come out of an open surface like a light fixture or heat register, they can also pool in the corner and create a bulge in your ceiling.
If this is the case, you’ll want to position a container directly underneath the bulge and puncture the area so that the water can drain properly and does not continue to collect. While this won’t stop the leak or rectify the damage that’s been done, it will prevent further damage from occurring and allow you to deal with the problem.
Consider Your Comfort Before DIY Repair
Draining a roof leak or locating the point of the damage may seem easy enough, but once you’ve located the interior leak you may want to think first before you consider taking on the next step on your own. A leaking roof is likely caused by aging and the associated deterioration of your roof, so getting onto it to do an inspection might be the most likely next step.
Of course, potentially risky home maintenance is not everyone’s forte, which means that if you decide to do it you should make sure you have rubber-soled shoes and that the roof is completely dry. If you feel any nervousness at all, it’s important to leave the task to an experienced roof repairman who will be able to assess the damage effectively and safely.
It’s All About the Shingles
Whether you’ve decided to survey the damage on your own or contact an experienced professional, a look at your roof should lead you to the potential cause of the calamity. Take a look at the singles on your roof; any that are curled up or damaged may be the cause of the roof leak.
If there happen to be any empty patches or missing shingles, it’s a sign that your roof is on the road to rapid deterioration and the next windstorm might mean a lot more missing shingles and the water leaks to go along with it! For this reason, it’s important to take stock of your shingles and fix any damaged ones as soon as possible.
Consider an Expert Roofer
If you’ve managed to pinpoint the leak and you’ve even located the source of the issue, you may want to consider contacting an expert roofer. It’s possible that DIY repair may do the trick, but an experienced roofer will be able to assess the damage effectively and determine what else might be needed to avoid problems down the line.
If more serious roof repair is required, you’ll want to contact a local association that can direct you to an expert, or even ask friends and family if they have a suggestion. Either way, a qualified professional will be able to get to the bottom of the problem for you.
Keep an Eye on Your Roof
When it comes to your roof, “an ounce of prevention is a worth a pound of cure” is an expression that goes a long way. Instead of banking on a leak not occurring or waiting until it does, get in the habit of checking your roof every once in a while so you can be made aware of an issue before it becomes a much larger problem.
Take the time to check your roof for rust, rot, and other signs of deterioration so you can cut a future leak off at the pass; this way, you won’t have to worry about an unpleasant and unexpected leak!
The appearance of a water leak that is caused by a damaged roof is something that requires immediate action. While every roof is different, you can avoid the surprise by keeping an eye on your roof and fixing any damage you notice before it’s too late.
As a homeowner, there are things you can do to fix up your roof, but you may also want to consider contacting a professional roofing contractors who will be able to deal with the situation for you.
