It is best to hire professionals to repair your roof if you find a leak. You should also repair the roof before the roofing contractor arrives. This will prevent further water damage to your home or building and save you money on repairs.
The type of roofing material that you have will determine which method you should use.
Locate the Source of the Leak
The first step in all roofing materials is to find the leak. Roof leaks can travel horizontally along the pitch of your roof, before reaching the ceiling below. It is a good idea to inspect your attic first. Look out for nails that have broken or backed away from the shingles. Sealant that is cracked or loose shingles. Pipe penetrations with wet or soft plywood around them should also be looked at. You should see evidence of damage at the source of the leak.
Shingles for Repair
Even if there are just a few damaged or missing shingles, roofing cement can often be used to repair them. To fix the shingles, straighten them and curl them. If there are only a few, you can replace them. You should make sure that there are no exposed nails as water can penetrate through the holes.
Repairing Built up Roofing (Modified Bitumen, Tar and Gravel).
To repair the surface, remove any gravel or granules. To repair cracks or narrow openings less than 1/4-inch, use compatible roofing cement. Install reinforcing fabric between layers of roofing cement if the crack is larger. For UV protection, use a lot of cement. Cover it with roofing gravel or granules.
With a knife, pop water blisters and then cement or patch. You should not stab the roof substrate (such as fiberboard) that lies beneath the outer covering.
If the substrate is damaged or missing, you can remove the section that is not needed and replace it. To complete the patch, use a new section on roll roofing and lots of cement.
Single-Ply Roofing Membranes
A compatible caulk can be used to temporarily repair small punctures in single-ply roofs such as PVC and TPO. Use an approved cleaner to clean the area and then apply enough caulk over the hole. Smoothen the caulk edges to prevent them from separating.
You can repair large rips with a self-adhered patch. Prime the surface, clean it and make sure you smoothen the edges to keep water out.
Do NOT use roofing cement to fix single ply. It will cause the material to deteriorate and void the warranty.
Contact KCG Roofing and Carpentry Contractors
If you are concerned about your roof’s safety or if there is extensive damage, you should call the professionals. KCG Roofing and Carpentry Contractors can help you with a roof repair or re-roof.
This post was written by a roofing professional at KCG Roofing. KCG Roofing is a premier roofing contractor that does Englewood roofing! KCG Roofing has the experience and expertise to replace or repair your roof with quality materials and excellent craftsmanship. All our roofs are backed by a 15-year leak-free guarantee, the highest in the industry. We have been family-owned and operated for over 40 years.
