Roofing Repair 101: How Do You Repair a Leaky Roof?
Is Your Roof Leaking?
A leaky roof is the last thing you want to deal with. Not only do leaks cause serious damage to the roof structure, but they can also damage the interior of your home and your belongings. Furthermore, a roof leak can lead to dangerous mold and mildew growth if undetected. So how do you know if your roof is leaking?
Signs of a roof leak include:
- Water staining on your ceiling, walls, or insulation
- Visible water drips or pooling when it rains
- A musty smell in your attic or crawlspace
- Increased humidity in your home or your attic
- Rusting flashing on your roof
- Warped shingles
- Algae or plant growth on your roof
If you notice any signs of a roof leak, you likely will need a roof repair to remedy the situation. But how are roof leaks repaired? Keep reading to find out.
How Are Roof Leaks Repaired?
The first steps in repairing a roof leak are to identify where the leak is coming from and what is causing the leak. Starting with where the symptom showed up (such as a drip in your rafters), your roofer will work their way up, following the leak to its source. This can be a little tricky as sometimes, when water gets into your roof, it can show up relatively far away from where the leak started. Consequently, tracing the path of the leak is paramount to both solving the problem and identifying all the areas affected by the leak.
After the source of the leak and the affected areas are identified, your roofer can begin repair work. Depending on the nature of the leak, this may involve replacing roof vents, flashing, or even shingles. If the damage is extensive, they may need to replace the underlayment or work on the roof deck.
Can I DIY a Roof Leak Repair?
While you will find a lot of DIY roof leak repair guides on the internet, roof leaks are best left to licensed roofing contractors, like Lyons Roofing. All too often, those inexperienced in roof repairs do more damage to the roof and end up calling out a roofing contractor anyway. Ultimately, this makes the roof repair cost you significantly more than if you had called in a roofer right from the start.
Roofing systems are complicated, and the only way to ensure that your leak is repaired effectively is by working with a professional.
Protecting Your Roof from Future Leaks
As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so it goes for roof leaks. It is always better to work to prevent leaks proactively. The best way to do this is to get on a regular roof maintenance routine. Each year, schedule the professional roof inspectors from Lyons Roofing to come out to your home and inspect your roof for wear and tear. If we uncover any roofing problems during this visit, we will go over your repair options and help you keep your roof secure and dry.
To learn more about preventing roof leaks, review our blog here.
