There are many problems that can arise with roofing. Generally, roof repairs and roof replacements fall into two categories: roof maintenance or roof repair (minor roof leaks) and roof restoration (major roof leaks).
Roof Leaks: Where to Start First
Where should you start when looking for a leak? Wherever there is the most standing water, which is often where gravity pulls it next. Usually, this is not at the very top of your roof but rather lower down where the weight of the water has accumulated. This might be an area next to one of your gutters. It could also be near air vents, seams, chimneys, dormers, skylights, or anywhere else that water can seep in through your roof.
Identification of the roof leak is the first step to finding a solution. This can be difficult since roof leaks are often obscured by shingles or flashing. To make things easier you should remove your roof shingles temporarily for inspection, or hire a roofer who will use specially designed tools to help find roof leaks without having to remove anything permanently. Once this is done it’s time to decide what type of roof leak repair is needed.
The following are 5 ways that your roof could become damaged and how you might fix them yourself or with professional roofers.
1. Broken or missing shingles
Missing shingles are one of the most common causes of roof leaks so be sure all of your roof shingles are in good shape.
2. Blister
A roof blister is usually caused by hot air or gas heating the roof. The roof will expand due to the heat causing the surface of the roofing material to rise up, creating a bubble on your roof. This can be fixed using roof sealant or asphalt glue (tar). Be sure not to use caulk as caulking cannot stand up well to high temperatures like those found near chimneys or vents.
3. Loose shingles
If you have recently had wind gusts that may have loosened some shingles then you should look for any signs of water damage on your roof. If you have not had any wind gusts recently then that is probably a good place to start your roof inspection.
4. Seam Leak
A roof leak at a seam can be caused by a tear in roofing felt, roofing cement or roof flashing tape. This type of roof leak requires the use of roof sealant or roofing cement depending on what material was used to seal the seam originally.
5. Dormer/Skillion Leaks
These types of leaks are often caused when a roof junction has been incorrectly constructed. All roofs overlap and should drain properly however sometimes changes in geometry cause this overlap to fail leading to water pooling and eventually seeping into your home.
There are many different roof repair options available to fix roof leaks. You can simply apply roof sealant, roof asphalt glue (tar), roof cement, roof flashing tape, or roofing shingles depending on your roof problem and what the roofer believes is best.
