How to Stop Your Roof From Leaking
A leaky roof can cause a host of issues. Aside from water getting into your building, there could be mold and mildew, which can create health issues in the individuals who spend the most time in the building. When leaky roofs are not taken care of immediately, they could become more serious problems, which typically end up, resulting in more expensive repairs. If you suspect your roof is leaking, consider the following things.
Place Buckets Under the Leak
Before you do anything, you should immediately place buckets or a tarp underneath the leak. You don’t want the water to cause further damage to your building, and you can prevent such issues by collecting the water. Whether it’s in the middle of a room or running down a wall, place something there that will stop the water from spreading.
Locate the Leak
The next thing you should do to stop your roof from leaking is to locate the leak. Your roof may look simple, but it’s probably more complex than you think. There are a lot of places you can search for the leak, including:
- The Attic – It’s sometimes easiest to find the source of your leak from inside your home. Carefully climb into your attic and inspect the area where you suspect the leak is coming from. You might see water leaking in, or you might see a damp spot. Its possible mold will already be growing, and you may see a damp stream coming from another area of the roof.
- The Chimney – Especially if your chimney is brick and mortar, it’s possible it will erode. Look around the joints where the roof and the chimney meet, and don’t forget to check out the mud cap to see if there is any deterioration that could lead to a leak.
- The Gutters – Some gutters are capped, but even so, they can begin to leak moisture into your home. Your gutters should be cleaned out if debris begins to build up in them. As you inspect the gutters, check for areas where they pull away from the roof. Water can leak into those spaces, and that could be your source.
- The Surface – Your leak may be coming from the surface of your roof. Small holes from missing nails or the removal of a satellite dish could allow water into your home. The surface of your roof could also include missing or damaged shingles. Sometimes they get old and begin to deteriorate, and other times a tree branch could fall on them, knocking them loose. In any case, missing or damaged shingles could allow moisture into your building.
Contact the Professionals
After you have located the leak, contact the professionals. A delay of this step could lead to more issues with your roof that may not be so easily repaired. If your roof damage requires an emergency repair, be sure you relay that when you speak to someone on the phone. If your leak isn’t causing any more serious damage, you could schedule the repair for a later time.
Stay on Top of Maintenance
One way you can avoid this issue in the future is to stay on top of maintenance. Whether you make a plan yourself or enlist the help of the professionals, year-round maintenance is essential in keeping your roof leak-free.
Getting Started Today
For assistance in locating a leak in your roof, you need the help of someone with experience. Contact Ja-Mar Roofing & Sheet Metal by calling 512-441-8437 or emailing us today to learn more!
