Roof Repair: How to Spot Roof Leaks

Keeping your roof in good repair will protect your investment and save you money. Start by checking for damage from the inside out.

It may seem obvious, but it’s important to assess the damage before starting roof repairs. This will help you determine how many new shingles are needed, the extent of the repairs required, and whether the damaged area can be safely left as is. You should also make note of any areas where the roof is leaking, as these will need to be caulked or tarred as soon as possible. However, if you need some professional help, you can contact Roofing Columbus GA.

Start by identifying the location of the damaged shingle. To do this, walk around the house and look for areas of discolored or missing shingles. It’s not necessary to remove a damaged shingle if it looks to be in good condition, but it is best to replace it with a matching one.

Once you’ve located the damaged shingle, gather your materials: a ladder, hammer, flat pry bar, and a handful of 11/4-in. roofing nails. Before attempting to remove the shingle, put on a tool belt to keep small tools within easy reach and prevent them from sliding down the roof.

Slide the pry bar under the front edge of the shingle near the nail area to separate it from the adhesive strip that holds it to the roof. If the shingle is completely damaged, you can simply pull it off. Otherwise, yank out the nails that secured it, being sure to remove all eight nails from the same row of shingles.

Continue the pry-bar process with the shingle above and below the damaged shingle to free the other nails that hold it to the roof. This can be a little bit more difficult, as the other nails are usually covered by the tabs of the damaged shingle and need to be loosened as well. Once all the nails are removed, gently lift up the damaged shingle.

To reattach the shingle, apply asphalt roofing cement to the back of it and spread it evenly with the putty knife. If the shingle is curled or torn, spread more sealant beneath it and lay a brick on top to act as a weight. Let it sit for 24 hours.

Repairing Damaged Flashing

Many roof leaks are caused by flashing problems, and they’re one of the most insidious threats to a roof’s integrity. These metal strips are located around chimneys, roof windows, and other rooftop projections. It’s essential to keep them in good condition so that rain can’t penetrate the roof or enter the house.

The flashing itself isn’t as fragile as the shingles, but it still needs to be inspected regularly to prevent water damage. It’s fairly easy to spot if there’s a problem, especially if you know what to look for.

A good rule of thumb is that the flashing should be a uniform thickness throughout, with no dents or gaps. If you see something different, it’s time to get up there and figure out what’s going on. Using the proper safety gear is important, as you’ll be dealing with sharp sheet metal, so it’s not a job for beginners. You should also have tarps or some way to cover foundation plantings and shrubbery, just in case any of the materials you remove are dropped on them.

If a piece of flashing becomes corroded, you can usually fix it by simply plugging the hole with roofing cement. It’s a good idea to do this immediately, as corrosion can cause holes in the surrounding shingles. In addition, repeated dripping from corroded flashing can wash the cement out of the holes and create a leak.

Another problem with flashing is that it can become loose over time. This can happen when the screws that anchor it into place lose their grip or when the metal wears away from the edges of the screw holes. When this happens, moisture can easily find its way into the roof seams and through cracks in dormers and corner boards.

Leaks can be extremely damaging to a roof as well as the structure of a home. Even small leaks can lead to mold, rotted framing and sheathing, destroyed insulation, and damaged ceilings. A roof repair professional can address these issues, but if you’re comfortable climbing up on the roof or crawling around in the attic, it’s possible to do this job yourself.

Repairing damaged vent boots

Roof leaks can be caused by many different elements and fixtures. One of the most common sources is a faulty roof vent pipe boot. These boots, which are rubber or metal collars that encase the pipes that stick out from your roof, allow sewer gases to escape safely without polluting your home, and they help create neutral pressure in the plumbing so that water can flow down the drains. If a roof vent pipe boot is damaged, it will allow water to seep into the attic area of your home, causing wood damage, mold, and mildew, and even leaking into the drywall.

Plumbing vent boots should last a minimum of ten years, but they can deteriorate over time, especially if the materials are of poor quality or the climate is hot and dry. If you see water spots on your ceiling in areas that don’t normally get wet, it could be a sign that the vent boot is damaged and allowing moisture into your home.

A quick inspection of your vent pipe boots will reveal the problem. Look for the rubber around the base to be cracked, worn, or ripped, and the metal of the vent to be rusted or corroded. The seal on the boot should also be checked, and if it is rotting, broken, or missing, it should be replaced with a new boot and re-sealed.

To repair a leaking vent pipe boot, you can use silicone glue to install a new rubber boot directly on top of the existing boot. However, since this type of repair can fail over time, it is usually a temporary solution. A better option is to use a metal flashing and boot system like the Perma-Boot. This is a more permanent fix that will not only cover the old rubber boot but also prevent water from entering your attic through the vent pipe.

To make this type of repair, you first need to loosen the shingles above and around the vent with a flat bar so that they can be lifted up. This step is essential because if the shingles are not removed correctly, they can tear and need to be replaced. After the shingles are loosened, the existing flashing and boot can be removed by prying the fasteners up. A piece of flashing tape is then applied to the base of the new vent boot, and it is then slipped over the top of the pipe. This step is important because the flashing should be tight against the pipe, but it cannot be so tight that it creates a dam that holds the water in.