Repairing your own roof isn’t always as difficult as you might think. You don’t have to wait for a professional every time there’s a problem that needs to be fixed. If you comprehend the roofing system’s design and operation (which is simple to master), repairing a few worn-out or damaged shingles or unfreezing a few problematic nails will only take a few minutes. not cost you any money.
However, you can ask me if you can repair every single fault your roof has. Well, it depends, though. I would not like to address every roofing problem myself. So what are the roofing issues we can fix ourselves? Can we fix a leaking roof? I will discuss this, and you can read more to find some of the best answers.
In this article, I will say how I enjoy fixing leaky roofs as a DIY job. Stay with me till the end.
Diy Methods to Fix a Leaking Roof
Now I will go through some easy steps for repairing a leaking roof.
Investigate and Find the Roof Leaks
Before starting any repair, you must check your roof with patience. Because you can’t check every shingle over your head every day, you can create a checklist and check different parts of your roof on a regular basis.
So, how do you know where the leak exists? Water dripping or stains on some parts of the roof, especially in the corners, are common signs of a leaky roof. Sometimes water stains are visible on the walls. It’s fatal, so don’t even think about fixing it later.
- Check Inside Roof or Attic: The leaking problem is not always on the outside of your roof, sometimes the humidity gets higher than 50% inside the attic. You will see symptoms of water stains on the wood structure with rusty nails. Pull out some nails, there may be water droplets inside the holes. You might even find molds that grow in a wet environment.
- Check Roof Top: Once you are done with checking under the roof, now it’s time to check the outer roof to find any broken and damaged shingles. The reason for water leaking can be a missing shingle too.
- Older Roof: The task is simple but time-consuming. And if the roof has passed 20 years already, checking only for damaged shingles will not bring out the actual reasons. The problem might be a combination of several fatal problems. In this case, I would take help from professional roofers.
Apply Roof Sealant to Small Holes
Small holes on roof shingles are a common issue. Apply a good roof sealant to fix those holes with a caulking gun. Most sealants need a dry surface, so make sure to clean and dry the affected area. It will help the sealant set properly around the holes.
Cut the roof patch so that it covers the whole area, then seal the edges. Remove any sealant remnants with a scraper. Note that roof sealant usually has some level of water resistance, which is not enough to withstand storms, heavy rain, snow, and standing water. Instead of using general cement, choose a waterproof silicone, rubber, or polyurethane sealant.
Use Roof Cement to Fix Shingles
Curled shingles are expected, and they happen because of faulty installation, bad ventilation, and cold weather. Using low-quality shingles is also to blame for curly shingles over time. And where the shingles tend to curl, that area gets exposed to the outside weather.
You can use a roof sealant to hold it in place until it just curls a little at the corner. Apply the gum under the shingle and let it cure completely, and then check that the shingle edge is secured. But if the shingle bends from the middle or most of it curls up, you better replace it. Follow the next section to learn how to replace a faulty shingle.
Replace Broken Shingles
Applying sealant to curled shingles is a good solution without replacing them. But sometimes the shingles are broken, and if you rely only on glue to fix them, they will not be able to protect your roof effectively against the rough weather. Replacement is the only option for broken or partially (over 50%) damaged shingles.
The task is quite easy. The shingles are attached to each other, and each one’s top is covered by the bottom of the other’s. So, to pull a broken shingle, first use a hammer claw or pry bar to lift the upper shingle’s nails. Then remove the nails on the affected one. Clear old glue and any other remnants, place the new one in its place, and fix it with nails again. Then apply roof sealant or asphalt cement and secure all its edges, making it waterproof.
Replace Damaged Flashing
Not only the shingles are responsible for water leaks; the culprit can be damaged flashing too. The aluminum intersection around the chimney gets warped due to seasonal temperature changes. First, understand that the flashings are not secured by nails, so using roof cement and sealants is your best option to fix a loose or damaged flashing.
How Much Cost Do You Need to Repair a Roof Leak?
The cost of fixing leaking roofs depends on the extent of the damage. However, we are talking about repairing minor damages we can do ourselves, and that type of job might cost you somewhere around $200 to $750. It is best to consult a professional roofing contractor for larger damages or repair the entire roof, which will be costly.
Final Thoughts
You are not the only one who has to frequently deal with a leaking roof. It’s something that always takes place, and a little knowledge of how to fix them can help you a lot. However, some problems should be addressed with the help of a professional roofer or roofing contractor. It’s not always recommended to try everything yourself.
I believe this article was helpful. Now fixing a leaky roof has become an interesting DIY task for you.
