How to Easily Repair the Most Common Roof Leaks
Ignoring Minor Leaks Can Cause Major Headaches
Sep 22, 2009
Many people try to ignore the leaks that only happen during heavy rains or combined wind and rain. This is a serious error because it can only lead to damage. Although the damage may be unseen initially, the effects will eventually manifest. If the leak is corrected quickly when it is discovered it can easily and usually for very minimal cost, be alleviated and prevent long-term damage. Knowing the areas that are the most common problem areas can help you to quickly locate and correct your roof leaks before they grow into big problems.
Most Common Problem Areas
When it comes to a shingle roof, there are just a handful of areas that generally develop leaks.
- Chimneys are by far the most common place to have a leak. Either inadequate flashing or insufficient caulk is the usual culprit.
- Skylight leaks are less common than chimney leaks; that is only because fewer houses have skylights. They are notoriously responsible for allowing water to seep in where it does not belong.
- Vent pipes or any other object that penetrates the roof surface is an obvious suspect when it comes to roof leaks.
- Valleys can cause problems as well. While they are less common areas for leaks, they often still cause problems.
- Improperly installed drip-edge, or damaged drip-edge, can cause seepage. This is usually less likely to be easily detected as drip edge is installed on the perimeter of the roof and leaks often are hidden behind siding or wall covering.
Easy Repair
While these areas are common problem areas, they are also generally easy to fix. Many times simply removing the old caulk and applying a fresh coat will take care of the problem for little more than pocket-change. Other times, bending a piece of aluminum and strategically positioning it to divert rain away from the area of vulnerability and sealing it with some caulk will do the job. While this requires a little more skill, often small pieces of pre-bent metal can be purchased at the local do-it-yourself store suited for your need.
Tend to your small leaks today before they become costly repair jobs. Even if you are not handy enough to handle the repair yourself, a professional roofer will generally take care of your problem for a very small fee. When compared to the price of repairing long-term damage from that little leak, the small roof repair fee will seem very insignificant. Whether you are able to handle it yourself or have a reasonably priced roofer tend to your leak, you will be glad you did it early.
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