A leaky roof is one of the most common issues homeowners face. It seems like a disaster to many, and the truth is that it can be quite expensive to repair it. It is why people maintain their roofs and inspect them regularly, but this damage is bound to happen at some point due to the natural decay of materials.
Surely, you know that the leak must be fixed from the outside to ensure that the source of the problem is eliminated. However, what if it occurs during the fall or winter when it is unsafe to climb up there or simply not possible to fix it perfectly?
Can you fix it from the inside?
Many people are confused about this question, so we will provide you with some information. The answer is yes. You can fix the leak from the inside. However, keep in mind that this is only a temporary solution. Do you remember what we said about eliminating the source? If you want to solve the problem definitely, you will have to climb the roof. Nevertheless, in some instances, you may have to postpone this task for a few days or even weeks, depending on the weather and other factors.
This type of issue can cause severe structural damage, and it can also lead to mold, which is hazardous to your health. Due to this reason, you need to fix a leaky roof as soon as you notice something is wrong. Since detecting the source can prove to be challenging in some cases, you should hire professionals, and you can learn about the services they offer on mauiroofingcontractor.com. On the other hand, if this is not an option right now, you can still do something to prevent further damage, and here are some tips you should know.
Gather the tools
First thing first, you will need several pieces of equipment to complete this task successfully, which is why you should make a list and go shopping. The essential items you need to have are caulking, roof patch, utility knife, and scraper, but there are also other things such as rubber gloves, a flashlight, bucket, nails, and so on. Make sure to have all of these items at your disposal before you begin in order to complete the repair quickly and efficiently.
Find the leak
This is probably the most difficult part of the project. Well, you probably noticed this issue due to the water stains on your sealing. If you didn’t act immediately, the damage could be significant, meaning that pinpointing the exact spot where it all had started can seem to be impossible.
Go up to the attic, and start looking around. It may take you some time to find the exact spot since the water spreads quickly, and you may actually find a pool when you go up there. If there is already a bulge in your ceiling, place a bucket under it and pierce it. You need to get that water out of the way, and your ceiling is already ruined, at least partially.
When you go up to the attic, start investigating that area, and follow the trail until you find the source of the problem. Be careful where you step, and use a flashlight if there is not enough light.
Divert the water
This step is only necessary if it is currently raining or if the snow is thawing. If you try to seal the hole during this, it will not work since the caulking and patch needs time to completely dry off to serve their purpose. There isn’t even a point in trying to do this.
Instead, you need to direct the water flow, and the easiest way to do this is by placing a nail into the hole. The nail will attract the water and enable you to funnel it where you want it to go. Then, you need to place a large bucket or a container underneath it. However, make sure that the bucket is large enough so that it doesn’t overflow. Now, all that is left to do is wait for the area to dry off, and only then can you start working on fixing the leak.
Seal the leak
Finally, we have reached the main point of this task. Go back to the attack and inspect the area. Make sure that it is dry. It should be easy for you to notice if it is still wet because the water leaves dark spots and, in some cases, mold. If there aren’t any of these tell-tale signs, you may proceed. The next thing you should do is draw a circle around the affected area with chalk. This will enable you to focus on the source of the problem, and it will be easier to find it later when you do the permanent repair.
Furthermore, cover the entire area with a roof patch, tar, or whatever you are using. Use a general amount of it, and spread it around evenly with a scraper. Once again, you need to leave it to dry. Once it has, use the caulking to cover the edges of it and fill in the holes, if any appear. Upon completing this task, make sure to mark the area so that you can find it from the outside.
Should you employ professionals?
When it comes to resolving the issue temporarily from the inside, that is, the attack, as you can see, it is fairly simple, and you should be able to do this on your own. Nevertheless, you should hire professional roofers to do it permanently. First of all, unless you know exactly what needs to be done, you probably won’t fix the damage, meaning that the issue will continue to occur.
Secondly, climbing up to the roof can pose a danger, and there are numerous safety tips you need to follow. Professionals know the ins and outs of these, they use the necessary gear, and they know how they can move around the roof without endangering their safety. The bottom line is that you should hire professionals because they will fix the roof quickly and point out the issues that can be prevented from occurring in the future.
