6 Roof Repair Tips for Fixing a Leaking Roof

You probably don’t think too much about your roof too much until there is a problem. You expect it will do its job protecting you and your family from the elements and so it can be a little alarming when you notice that your roof is leaking, especially if you can’t tell where it is coming from.

Don’t worry though. It may surprise you to know that most leaks are easy to fix and you don’t always need a lot of roofing expertise to fix it.

Here are 6 roof repair tips for fixing a leaking roof:

1. Don’t Ignore Little Leaks

As soon as you notice water stains on the ceiling or running down walls, it is important to take care of it. Even if it just seems like a minor leak, ignoring it will only lead to bigger problems, like mold, rotted framing, and damaged ceilings and insulation. While concern over the expense might be holding you back from getting the leak checked out, you are only going to end up with a more expensive bill if you keep putting it off.

2. To Track Down Source Look Uphill from Stains

Of course the first thing you need to do is identify the source of the leak. The easiest way to do that is to look at the roof uphill from the stain looking for any roof penetrations like plumbing that penetrates the roof or roof vents, chimneys or dormers. Typically they are a few feet above or to the right or left of it.
If you have an attic that you can access, you can also check in there. Look for water stains, black marks or mold.

If you are still having trouble finding the source of the leak, try this trick: Get somebody to help you. Pick sections to the roof to check one at a time and run your house over that area while somebody else is inside checking for the leaking. Ask your helper to yell or call you on your cell phone when the ceiling starts leaking.

Once you have narrowed down the area of the roof where the problem is, remove the shingles just in that area. If that is where the leak is, it will be water-stained underneath and the roofing material will be discolored and rotting.

3. Fixing Plumbing Vent Boots

If the source of the leak is a plumbing vent boot, then first check the base for cracks or broken seams (could be made of plastic, metal or a combination of the two). If nothing seems awry then next check the rubber boot surrounding the pipe to see if it is cracked or torn. If this seems to be the culprit, you may to replace the vent boot. If the problems is that the nails at the base are missing or loose, then instead of replacing the whole boot, simply replace the screws with ones that have rubber-washers like the screws used for metal roofing systems. Keep in mind that you will need to remove the neighboring shingles to replace the boot. Be careful that you don’t damage them otherwise you will need to replace them too.

4. Fixing Roof Vents

Any of your roof vents may also be a culprit so check them also for cracks and broken seams. Important note: caulking around the vent is only a temporary solution. Your best bet is to replace the roof vent.

5. More Complex Roofing Problems

Of course some roof problems are more complex. You may need a completely new roof or a partial one by a roofing professional to get at the root of the problem. Consider also that if you live in colder climes, ice dams on the roof may be the culprit. Poor flashing may also be contributing to the leaking.

You can replace the flashing yourself or have a professional do it for you. First you need to remove the shingle and insert a strip of adhesive ice and water barrier underneath the soffit/main roof joint. Then re-shingle. Make sure the valley flashing that is laid over the joint where the two roofs meet should overlap the step flashing at least 2 inches.

6. The SpoutOff Can Also Help Reduce Leaks

Sometimes leaking problems in the roof are the result of poorly maintained roof gutters. When you don’t regularly clean out the leaves and other debris that get stuck in your gutters, your gutter system gets compromised and leaks are the result. Luckily, with The SpoutOff system in place, you won’t worry about constant cleaning out your gutters.

TheSpoutoff outlets are designed with a larger opening allowing for water to still run down even if other parts of the gutter are clogged. The SpoutOff can be retrofitted to your current gutter system or it can be added to a new one, depending upon your needs.

Cleaning out your rain gutters from all the leaves, sticks and other debris that gets stuck in them isn’t as much of a chore when you have The SpoutOff. These outlets are a lot easier to clean and they don’t get as much debris so you won’t need to check on them as much. Because of the larger openings in the gutter outlets, the water will still be able to keep moving.

In addition, with TheSpoutOff, a fear of heights or balance concerns will no longer keep you from properly taking care of your home. The removable downspout clip allows you to check on the outlets without having to climb a ladder. Now you have no excuse for putting off this chore.

If getting up on a ladder and balancing yourself while you try to clean the debris out of your gutter is not safe for you, before your only other option was to hire a professional gutter cleaner to come out and take care of it for you. With The SpoutOff you won’t have to anymore though.

You can also easily install The SpoutOff system yourself. The instructions are relatively easy to follow so it is something you can easily install yourself, but any local gutter company can do it for you as well. The SpoutOff comes with a large outlet and removable downspout clip that can either be installed with new gutters or retrofitted to the gutter system you already have.

The SpoutOff can be installed onto 5 inch and 6 inch K-Style gutters with either 2 inch x 3 inch or 3 inch x 4 inch downspouts, but 3 x 4 downspouts are recommended. The SpoutOff components are designed to work with most downspout configurations including A Elbow, B Elbow and Underground Pipes.

The SpoutOff components are powder coated aluminum so you can easily paint them or have a professional painting company do it for you.
For more information about The SpoutOff System and more roof repair tips, contact The SpoutOff today.