When your roof goes through a bad storm or you’ve had your home for a number of years it may be time for you to think about doing some repairs. If there is excessive damage it might be necessary to have the shingles replaced, but if there is only minor damage repairs can be performed that will stop your roof from leaking the next time it rains.
When you plan on doing something like that, though, you have to do it right, or you could do more damage to your roof instead of fixing it. Quite often, it is a broken or missing shingle that’s causing the leaking. If you have a flat roof, there can be a cracked or blistered area that is allowing water to get in. The most difficult part of fixing a leak on a roof is finding where the leak is originating. You also have to remember that it can be very dangerous to work on a roof, especially if it has a steep pitch. You’ll want to be careful that you don’t fall off of the roof and injure yourself, and also that you don’t damage the roof.
When repairing a shingle roof, you can usually locate the area that’s causing a problem. Look near the leak point for damaged or missing shingles, and also look closely where any rooflines meet or where there are vents or chimneys. All of these are potential problem areas, especially if there are leaves or other debris there that would hold water and allow it to build up. If there aren’t any areas that are clearly causing a problem, calling in a professional would be the best choice.
If you find shingles that are curled back you can reattach them with asphalt roof cement and a caulking gun. If shingles are brittle you’ll want to heat them up first so that you can bend them without breaking. If there are shingles that are torn, rotted, or completely missing they should be replaced instead of patched, because they likely won’t seal well if you just try to fix them. Make sure that you seat new shingles properly, that you wear rubber-soled shoes so that you don’t slip, and that you use a safety rope if the roof is very steep. Also, be very aware of the location of power lines any time you’re working on a roof to avoid serious and potentially deadly accidents.