How to Repair Roof Leaks Based on the Causes

A leaking roof, whether it’s a flat commercial roof or a sloped residential roof, is obviously frustrating for the owner. Water dripping from between the ceiling tiles or seeping through your walls can cause massive damage to ceilings, floors, and insulation. If left unnoticed, roof leaks can result in stains, dampness, warped wood floors, peeling paint, mold growth, and much more.

To avoid such costly repairs, it is crucial to locate and repair any leaks immediately. We’re going to cover the most common causes for roof leaks and how to stop them in their tracks.

Blocked Gutters and Downspouts

A leafy pile on the roof may not look like much, but once it makes its way into the gutters, it can block the flow of water completely. The result is water pooling around the roof’s valleys and eventually seeping into your home.

Repair: Get on a ladder and clean out gutters and downspouts. Make sure the water flow is going freely through both.

Cracked Rubber Boots

The rubber seal around vents, gas pipes, skylights, or any other opening in your roof is called rubber boots. When they crack or become loose, you’ll start noticing water stains around the openings. Heavy deterioration can even result in major leaks.

Repair: You’ll have to replace the rubber boots. That’ll need a professional to carefully cut out the old boot, slip in a new one under the shingles, and reseal the area.

Cracked, Missing, or Loose Shingles

Shingles can crack from exposure to the elements and extreme temperatures. They can also get blown off in windstorms. Since they’re the outermost protective layer of the roof, any damage will make them the obvious weak spot for leaks.

Repair: Lift the shingles around the area with a pry bar and remove the nails and any loose pieces of the shingle. You can then replace the old shingles and secure them with new nails.

Damaged Flashing

Flashings work like rubber boots, but these are metal strips installed at the roof joints and under the shingles. They keep water from entering between the joints. Unfortunately, flashing corrode over time because of exposure to the sun, wind, and harsh weather conditions.

Repair: You’ll need to remove the cracked flashing underneath the shingles. Use a pry bar to lift the shingles around the area carefully. Then remove the nails securing the flashing segment underneath and replace it with a similar piece. Finally, seal with a roof sealant.

Wear and Tear on the Chimney

The mud cap and mortar area where the chimney and the shingles meet are the most susceptible to water damage. Because of erosion or cracks, this brickwork needs regular repairs.

Repair: Refill the cracks with a mortar mix or use a roof sealant to fix the leaks.

Roof repairs need expert attention, so always take help from professional contractors when dealing with these projects. Vanity Roofing INC is an Ottawa Roofing Company; if you are looking for Roofing Services or need a quote, please get in touch with us at 613-851-4448; we’ll be there to help.

 

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