It’s every homeowner’s nightmare. A water stain on the ceiling of your home, or mould growing in the corners of walls. But did you know that such damage to your home can be easily avoided?
Inspecting your roof regularly helps you to spot any damage to the roof tiles and flashing. Have any shingles broken? Has the mortar crumbled? Or, has the flashing cracked, allowing rainwater to seep through your leaking roof?
However, once you spot a problem, you can easily fix it yourself! Read on to discover how to fix roof water leakage in a few simple steps!
How Can I Spot Damage to My Roof?
Spot damage to your roof by completing regular inspections, particularly before and after a terrible storm is due. Perhaps the most durable roof is the metal roof system, although many homes have a tiled roof in Australia.
Follow these easy steps to spot damage to your roof and prevent roof leaks.
1. Inspect the Roof
Take a roofing ladder and securely climb up the height of your roof. Inspect the roof from a distance and check whether your shingles are all in place.
Is there any obvious sign of damage, such as a hole in the roof? If you plan to climb onto the roof, use a harness to protect yourself.
2. Assess the Flashing
Next, check your flashing. Have any corners of roof flashing come away? Are there any cracks in the flashing? It is also important to check whether any part of the roof flashing could be lifted by the wind and make the damage worse.
3. Determine Mortar Quality
You will need to check the mortar to assess whether rainwater could be absorbed through crumbling gaps. In particular, check the roof ridge and roof caps, discovering whether they are attached securely.
Many houses need the roof ridges re-bedded and pointed at some time to lay a new bed of cement.
4. Spot Check the Interior
Check the inside of your home for any signs of mould or water damage. In particular, the corners of walls and ceilings are vulnerable.
5. Go Into the Roof
To get a full overview of your roof’s condition, go into the attic and check the interior of the roof. As well as signs of water damage and mould, check your insulation and whether there is any sign of condensation in the roof. This will mean that ventilation and condensation are issues you need to address.
Why Is My Roof Damaged?
Your roof may be damaged because of wear and tear. Perhaps your leaky roof is just too old and a replacement roof will be needed soon.
Roof damage may be caused because of the weather, in particular an extreme storm with heavy rain and wind. Alternatively, your gutters may be blocked and rainwater is therefore overflowing. Unblocking the gutters in this situation is a simple act to repair the damage.
How Can I Fix a Hole In My Roof?
If a hole has been spotted in your roof, you need to take immediate action. As well as rainwater and wind debris entering your home via the hole, mice and other animals may find the hole, too. Follow these steps to complete fix a hole in the roof of your house.
1. Get Your Equipment Ready
You will need to assemble your equipment, such as a roof ladder, new shingles, nails, a hammer, a putty knife, etc. The exact tools and equipment you need will depend on the materials your roof is made from.
2. Reach the Roof
Close to where the hole is located, position your roofing ladder. Use a harness and make sure you are wearing suitable shoes and clothes.
3. Tidy the Hole
Use a brush to sweep any debris from the hole, removing remaining nails from the roof.
4. Frame the Hole
Cut away the plywood that has been damaged, using a circular saw. However, do not cut the roof rafters. Frame the hole using 2 x 4’s, attaching to the rafter with penny nails.
5. Cut Plywood
Cut a piece of plywood that fits the hole in the roof. Attach the patch of plywood to the frame using liquid nails and then penning nails.
6. Tar Paper Application
Cement over the plywood, making sure to fully cover the seams where the new plywood meets the old plywood. Lay roofing tar paper over the top that reaches underneath the surrounding shingles. Nail tar paper to the roof decking.
7. Fit the Shingles
Attach the new asphalt shingles in a pattern from bottom to top with roofing nails from a roofing supply store. It is a good idea to cement over the nails to prevent any leakage from this area.
How Long Will a Roof Repair Last?
If you are patching a hole in leaking roofs, your roof repair may last a year or so. Leaky roofs and roof repairs may be a sign that a permanent repair is on its way!
A full roof replacement may be needed soon for the entire roof. Contact a specialist for a free roof inspection!
Install a Rapid Ridge Roof by Evo Build Now!
If you are looking for a new roof installation, look no further than the Rapid Ridge dry fixed roofing system by Evo Build! Incorporating a ventilated roofing system with a strong and durable roof, the Rapid Ridge is the hottest roof on the market!
Achieving a natural cooling passage under the roof of your home, the Rapid Rodge helps your home to breathe.
You will need to use the air conditioning system less often as your home is already cool! You could save up to 43% on your cool energy costs after a Rapid Ridge installation. Connect with Evo Build today and ask about the Rapid Ridge dry fixed roofing system!