Dealing with a leaky roof is not only time-consuming and frustrating but also a great inconvenience. When the rain is pouring down outside, everyone wants to be in the comfort of their home, away from the elements. Imagine the frustration of having the rainstorm coming into the house – then it feels like you have no hiding place. The good news is that this can be contained, fixed, and prevented from recurring in the future.
Why Do I Have A Roof Leak?
According to the experts at Concord Roofing, the first step in dealing with a roof leak is to know what could be causing the leak in the first place. There are many reasons why a roof leak would occur, one being weather conditions. Roof tiles (or roof shingles) are the outer covering of the roof that prevents water intrusion. Weather conditions like heavy winds and ice dams can cause the roof tiles to break, remove, or shift- especially when the shingles are old. The ice dams form when the icicles that gather around your roof during the winter begin to melt in warmer weather, creating a pool of melted ice on your roof. The water eventually seeps through the roof tiles and into your walls, causing a leak.
Flashings are pieces of metal that are fixed to the joints of the roof and sealed so it can serve as a water-resistant barrier. These can be damaged when exposed to heavy winds and rain over a long period, causing it to crack or rust.
Clogged gutters also cause a leak to occur. Rain gutters clogged with debris like pine cones, leaves, and so on, prevent water from freely flowing down it. In turn, the water creates a pool that eventually seeps through the roof as well.
Inadequate installation of roofing tiles, flashings, and other instruments (like a satellite dish) can create spaces or holes, allowing water to seep through.
How Do I Find The Source Of The Leak?
Now that you know what could cause a roof to leak, you must identify what exactly is causing your roof to leak and the specific leak location on your roof. Although this is quite tricky, it is not impossible. You would want to do this on a clear day, not during rain or harsh weather conditions.
It will be better to have someone help you to ease up the process and achieve better results. The best and trusted method is going on the roof with a garden hose – by doing so, you can imitate the flow of water.
With you on the roof and your helper in the house, pour the water slowly around the area you experience the leakage. For example, if you experience the leakage around the chimney, then pour the water gradually around it – first, the base and then the walls. Your helper would give feedback concerning what is going on in the house when you take specific actions. You should know that this is a time-consuming process, so be patient.
How Do I Deal With The Leakage?
Sometimes, a quick and simple solution can fix the problem. For example, if a hole is detected, you can just block it temporarily. In the case where the leak does not have a simple solution, you are not handy, or you can’t get a hold of a roofing contractor; you can take some steps to deal with the leakage temporarily.
Try to prevent the water from damaging your furniture, electronics, or anything of value that is susceptible to water damage. You can do this by removing these items from their current positions to a dry area of the house or, like in the case of furniture, cover them with plastic.
You should have a bucket placed directly under the spot where the water is leaking. Also, place your rugs, old tee-shirts, and towels around the area. If you see a bubble in the paint on the wall, it could likely contain water. Pop the bubble and place a bucket and rug under it as well.
Now that you have the leaks under control, you should try to remove water that might have gotten into the carpet, else, and there would be an unpleasant smell. Be sure to clean the floors as well to prevent any accidents.
How Can I Prevent A Roof Leak?
The best way to defeat the roof leak is to have it fixed by a professional roofing contractor. This would mean that you can save time and prevent leakage in the future.
Before you settle on which contractor to assign the job to, it is best to get several quotes from different companies. By so doing, you can pick a more affordable one. You should also make sure that the contractor is indeed licensed and insured. Also, ensure that they can produce the required permits for the job to be done.
Be sure to have the contractor agree to locate and repair damaged wood and other components of your roof before it is re-roofed. You would not want to have a new roof with the same problems. Once it is agreed, you can hold them responsible in case of any issues later.
It is good to receive consultation on where the leakage specifically originates on your roof and how the contractor plans on going about having it fixed. When you know where the leak is from, you can evaluate the job done and see if it needs further work. You should ask your contractor about the longevity of the work he has done and where there was re-roofing, ask about the guarantee and expected life-span of the new roof. All this will guide you on whether to hire the contractor or not.
To summarize, when your roof is leaking, first, try to determine the cause of the leakage and its source. Once this is determined, you can create a temporary solution to deal with the leakage. However, your efforts should not stop there. Hire a roofing contractor to do professional work, solving your leakage problem permanently, and preventing a roof leak in the future.
