logo
logo
Sign in

How to Repair a Leak in the Roof on Your Own

avatar
Daryl Quinnett
How to Repair a Leak in the Roof on Your Own

Water dripping from the ceiling is never a good sign. It means you have a leaking roof. It's a problem you need to deal with as soon as you can. Ignoring it can have a domino effect. You might find yourself dealing with issues like a stained ceiling. This will then lead to wet insulation in the attic, molds, or ruined floors.


Repairing a roof can be labor-intensive. Some of these problems are best left to professionals. The good news is there are also some simple, fast, and cost-effective solutions you can do. Here are some ideas on how to repair a leak in the roof by yourself.


Fixing Small Leaks Inside the Attic


Most roofing problems will need to be addressed and fixed from the outside, but there are times you can fix small leaks from inside your attic. It’s best if you do this as soon as you discover a leak.


Repairing a Leaking Roof Vent


Leaks are also caused by roof vents. These are the foundation of your attic’s ventilation system. Vents crack or become dislodged over time. When this happens, water seeps into the house.


Install New Flashing


Flashings are important parts of the roof. These are the thin pieces of metal sheets you see around chimneys and vents. Many homes also have flashings on the sidewalls. They’re used to direct water away from the structure.


Fixing a Dormer Window Leak


Many homes in the US have dormer windows. It’s a type of roof window. Its structure projects beyond the plane of a pitched roof. The caulk used around dormer windows also decays over time. This can result in leaks during heavy rainfall.


Most roofing problems are often fixed outside. But you can fix small leaks from inside your attic. It’s best if you do this as soon as you discover a leak. Then you should do the following.


Mop up any standing water. You might see this once you remove the insulation from the drywall. Avoid putting any weight on the surface. It might be too soft to carry your weight. Place a piece of plywood across the ceiling joists and stand on it while working.


Look for the leak and patch it up. This isn’t as straightforward as you think. The water will travel down from the rafters. You must follow its path until you find the hole causing the leak. Apply bitumen paint or roofing tar on the hole. Press a shingle on the tar. Apply more paint using a putty knife.


collect
0
avatar
Daryl Quinnett
guide
Zupyak is the world’s largest content marketing community, with over 400 000 members and 3 million articles. Explore and get your content discovered.
Read more