Your roof and shingles are one of the main parts of your property that require a high level of ongoing maintenance. One of the worst case scenarios is when your roof starts to leak. However, a leaky roof can be fixed from either the inside or outside, contrary to the popular myth that fixing a leaking roof from the inside is impossible. This myth has even led some homeowners to seek outright replacement of their shingles, because they can’t fix it from the outside.
There are many DIY methods and temporary fixes for fixing a leaking roof from the inside, but some work better than others. By choosing the correct one, you can be sure that you don’t end up creating more leakages in your roof. So, rather than opting for a complete replacement of your shingles, let’s take a look at how to fix your leaking roof from the inside.
Why try to fix a roof from the inside?
If your roof is leaking, addressing the problem from the outside can be dangerous, especially when the shingles are still wet. Here at ACME, we’re always preaching the importance of safety above all else, which is why we advocate inside leak fixes, unless you’re extremely confident in your abilities. Thankfully, you can address your leak, and mitigate further damage, without having to step outside.
How do you locate a leak?
Before you can fix your leak, you need to find where the leak is coming from. If the leak is fairly small, it can be pretty hard to spot. Try placing a few pots and pans around the area where you suspect the leak to be, and check the pans later. This should help you figure out where the leak is.
How do you divert the water?
One main thing to recognize is that you might not be able to seal your leak right away, especially if it’s a rainy or wet season. In order to divert water away from your leak, follow these steps.
You need to give the water a path to drain away from the leak. The best way to do this is by sticking a nail into the hole. It will attract the water to it, and allow it to funnel in one direction.
Place a 5-gallon bucket under the area to catch any water that drains. Wait until the area is dry enough to seal the leaking area.
When can you fix the leak?
Obviously the best time to fix a leak in your roof is immediately, before water damage becomes dangerous and costly. This will save you the stress and issues that come from a leaking roof, but this isn’t always convenient for you. If it’s a rainy or snowy time of year, you definitely want to put the pedal to the metal, because further damage could occur to your shingles. Having a leaking roof during a time of bad weather conditions can quickly spiral into a catastrophe, if you’re not careful.
How do you fix the leak?
If the damaged area of your roof is already dry, you don’t need to use the above trick for diverting the water. You can simply move to this step, and work to seal the leak. If it has been raining, then you must wait for everything to dry out before you can seal it, to ensure that the seal retains its integrity.
First, you need to exactly locate the leak. If your home has attic access, this is a great place to start.
Next, take a flashlight and shine it around, to check for areas of dampness and water stains in your drywall. You can locate these quite easily, because moisture causes darkness and mold. Using chalk, draw a circle around the affected area. This mark will allow you to easily identify the area for a more permanent repair.
Once the affected area is dry, apply a liberal amount of roof patch to the leaking area with a putty knife. Then use a scraper to spread it evenly, and cover the whole region.
Once the roof patch has dried, use caulking to cover the edges and any holes that appear. You can use your finger to make sure you get the caulking spread around to the entire area.
While it’s fairly easy to patch a roof on the inside, you should leave serious roof repair work to roofing contractors, like ACME Roofing. Once your leak is patched, you will be able to take your time and find the best candidate to inspect your shingles for further damage. This is a problem you can fix without setting one foot outside, but once it’s taken care of, you will want a professional roofer to come check it out, in case you do need a new roof.
Give the team at ACME Roofing a call today! Whether you need a new roof or a roof inspection, we’ve got you covered.