The first thing needed to determine that, why leakage has been achieved, and what factors are included behind the leakage from the inside.
What causes a roof leak?
Leaks usually occur near drains, gutters, drains, and around corners. These weak points of the roof, therefore, deserve special attention.
Roof leaks: causes and solutions
It will be an easy task of repairing a roof leakage. But sometimes it is very hard to identify the spot of the leak. If anyone is dealing with a leak, the problem should be remedied as soon as possible. Water could make your roof weaker if leakage would not be repaid on time.
Here are some solutions for consideration for a roof leak, determining its cause and providing the best solution. In some cases, a minor repair is not the best solution: sometimes it is more advantageous to completely renovate the roof.
The most common causes of roof leaks can be divided into 3 categories:
- Roof covering
Inclined roof
Broken, ill-fitting, or even cracked tiles are possible causes of a leak in a sloped roof. With this type of roof, locating a leak roof repair from the inside is not easy. This is because the leak may be in a completely different place from where the moisture is showing up. Roofing, insulation, and ceilings can retain water long before the consequences become visible.
Flat roof
Flat roofs can also be prone to leaks. If the rainwater does not drain properly, it stays on the roof. The covering of a flat roof must endure bad weather, temperature variations, frost, and the formation of moss. All this can cause damage and therefore leaks.
2. Flashing
The flashing, which seals the roof around chimneys or windows, can also be a source of water infiltration if it is damaged.
3. Gutter
A gutter clogged with tree leaves or other trash can cause a lot of problems. In combination with rain, this clog can cause leaks. This can easily be avoided by regularly cleaning the gutter. It is especially in autumn that it is important to remove leaves and dirt to avoid problems.
Solutions Repair
Leak Roof repair does not take much time and usually does not cost too much. For broken or ill-fitting tiles, replacing them is usually enough. The same goes for a flashing problem. For flat roofs, the leak is often repaired by applying a liquid sealant.
Roof renovation
As a first step, a roof leak can be remedied by repairing the area of the roof that is causing the problem. However, it is not better to do a complete renovation of the roof. In general, a roof leak is followed by other leaks: it is often a sign that the roof is in poor condition. When you have a leak repaired, it is therefore recommended to ask the roofer to inspect the condition of your roof.
Renovation involves more extensive work than a simple repair. This includes replacing the cover.
Here are some indications that the roof needs to be replaced:
- Cover fades.
- It becomes porous.
- Parts of the cover are detached.
- If you notice these signs, it is necessary to renovate your roof.
Renovation of a pitched roof
If the frame of the pitched roof is in good condition but the cover needs to be replaced, over the roof can be an interesting solution. This renovation technique consists of laying steel panels on top of the existing roof. The latter therefore remains in place. Today, it is easy to find steel sheets with the appearance of tiles, called tile panels, which are ideal for this type of renovation.
How to protect yourself from a leaky roof?
If you need Leak roof repair, but the roofer is not available right away? What to do while waiting? It’s not uncommon for homeowners to find themselves in such a situation after a storm or hurricane hits their neighborhood. Indeed, after an episode of severe weather, the roofers are so stressed that they are unable to carry out all the emergency repairs immediately. In this case, it is possible to temporarily protect the roof to prevent the damage from getting worse.
A tarp, when securely attached to the roof, can protect it from rain, snow, or wind for some time. This way can prevent holes or missing shingles from becoming roof leaks, or existing leaks from getting worse. In addition to being a sensible precaution, installing a tarp over damaged roof may be required under home insurance. If it doesn’t limit storm damage by protecting the roof and the rest of the home, the insurer may refuse to cover further damage, even if they agree to pay you for the initial damage.
How to belt a tarp on a roof
Here are step-by-step guidelines for properly securing the tarp to your roof.
Tool and equipment required:
- Ladder and safety equipment
- Camera or smartphone
- Tape measure
- Properly sized tarpaulin
- Thin pieces of wood (2×4 format or less thick)
- Tool for removing debris (like a shingle shovel)
- Nails or screws
Inspect and measure the roof
To begin, the roofer must examine the roof and determine which parts need to be protected by a tarp. The examination can be done from a ladder, directly on the roof while wearing a safety harness, or by drone. Using a measuring tape, the roofer will estimate the area of tarp needed to cover the part of the roof that is damaged.
Choose a tarp
The roofer will choose a tarp that suits your roof. As it must extend beyond the damaged area, the tarp must be larger than the area that was measured. Ideally, the tarp should also be long enough to cover the peak of the roof. Thus, rainwater will flow unhindered on both sides of the roof and will not penetrate under the tarpaulin. If, on the other hand, the water coming from the top of the roof hits the edge of the tarpaulin a little lower, it risks seeping underneath.
