How Your Roofer Might Make Repairs To Stop A Roof Leak
Posted on: 29 July 2022
If you have a musty odor in your attic, and it looks like there are water stains on the rafters, you might have a roof leak. If you can't find the leak, call a roofer for help. The leak may eventually start dripping through the ceiling and affect your living area below. The longer the leak goes on, the more it will cost to repair the water damage. Here's a look at how a roofer might repair your roof to stop the leak.
Fix A Gap In The Flashing
The flashing on your roof is susceptible to leaking, and it's one of the first places your roofer may look for a leak. If the edge of the flashing comes loose because a nail backs out or the adhesive wears out due to sun exposure, rain can roll under the metal and get the deck wet. When the deck is wet, the water might eventually leak into your attic and get the rafters and insulation wet.
The repairs needed depends on whether the deck has water damage. At the very least, the flashing needs to be adhered tightly to the roof again so water can't roll under it. If there is water damage to the deck, the roofer might need to remove shingles, take off the flashing, and cut out the rotted area of the deck. When new decking is in place, the roofer can apply underlayment, shingles, and new flashing.
Replace A Cracked Shingle
If a shingle is cracked or damaged in some way that allows water to leak through or around it, the roofer can tear off the old shingle and put on a new one. A shingle might develop a hole or crack if a raccoon tears at the shingle, a bird pecks at it, or if something heavy falls on the roof during a storm.
If your roof is still fairly new, the underlayment on the deck might still be in good shape and providing water protection. If your roof is old, the underlayment might be deteriorated to the point where rain can land right on the roof deck. In that case, the roofer will probably patch in new underlayment before putting on the new shingle.
Tighten A Loose Shingle
Missing shingles should always be replaced right away. Loose shingles should be adhered to the deck so they don't get torn off during the next storm with strong winds.
As long as the shingle isn't damaged, the roofer may just nail the loose shingle back down and put adhesive on the opposite end. If the old nail holes are exposed, those should be filled in so rain can't roll in through the hole.
Contact a roofer to learn more.
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