Repair Roof Leaks: Should You Do It Yourself?

If you are looking to fix roof leaks there are a variety of factors to think about when making the decision to engage an expert or DIY it Roofer.

A leaky roof isn’t enjoyable. If you notice a leak it is best to be patient until rain ceases before trying to fix it. Set up a bucket beneath the drip to stop destruction to your floor. If you have access to an attic, it is possible to put the bucket to stop the water from flowing further away from the source. Are you able to “do this yourself”? It depends on your personal abilities. If you choose to fix the problem by yourself, you must follow some safety tips. Attach the ladder in a solid place so that it won’t slide off when dismounting and climbing. In the event that the roof’s slope is very steep it will require a safety rope to stop your feet from sliding off. If you can’t discern exactly where water might be coming in, it’s best to contact a professional roofing contractor. But, there are a few roofing repairs which can be completed successfully by an “do do it yourselfer”.

Sometimes, water can enter through pipe holes on the roof. When it rains, check the pipes that are in the attic to check whether water is flowing down the pipes. Furnace pipes generally have a the rain collar made of sheet metal around the pipe to keep the water away from the pipe. The rain collar needs to be sealed to stop water from flowing through the small cracks. Be sure that the collar is held to the pipe that is flashing. Sewer vent pipes typically come with a lead boot to allow flashing. The lead should be extended across the pipe before being folded inwards. When the pipe is too small, it will need to be sealed to seal the gap. Sometimes, the lead will split on high points on the pipe. It is necessary to seal it as well. Some pipes feature sheets of metal or plastic flange on the bottom with a rubber grommet to seal the pipe. Grommets can degrade with time. The sun will deteriorate them after a couple of years. The cracks in the grommets have to be filled with a sealant. Leaks in pipes are the most straightforward to fix.

Roof leaks are often found in valleys. Most roofs are equipped with valley flashings made of metal. The valley flashings may be visible while others are encased with shingles. In the event that the valley’s flashings are not closed you can look for tiny holes in the steel. There’s plenty of water flowing through the valley. Even tiny holes can permit an enormous amount of water to enter the home. You can use caulking to these holes, but the fix might not last because of the high the flow of water. A professional roofer could be required to repair valley flashing.

Chimneys are equipped with flashings of metal around the base , which connect with the shingles. Look for any gaps in the flashings. Seal with a quality grade of caulking. Roof sealing must be done using a high-quality caulk like Urethane.

Don’t put asphalt in a liquid form across the roofing. It will not stop the leak but will cause an unimaginable mess. If you don’t notice a obvious leak, contact a roofing contractor. Certain issues should be being handled by professionals.