Repair Roof Leaks: Should You do it Yourself?

Repair Roof Leaks: Should You do it Yourself?

When it comes to needing to repair roof leaks, there are several things you should consider when deciding whether to hire a professional or to do it yourself.

A leaky roof is no fun. If a leak occurs, you should wait until the rain stops before you make any attempt at fixing it. Place a bucket under the drip to prevent damage to the floor. If you have an accessible attic, you can place a bucket there to stop the water a little closer to the source. Should you "do it yourself"? That depends on your own skills. If you do decide to make the repair, please use some safety guidelines. Tie the ladder to a solid location so it cannot slip when climbing and dismounting. If the roof is steep, you will need a safety rope to keep you from slipping off. If you cannot see where the water is getting in, you should probably call a professional roofer. However, there are some roof repairs that can be done effectively by a "do it yourselfer".

Sometimes water enters through pipe penetrations on the roof. While it is raining inspect the pipes in the attic to see if water is trickling down the pipes. Furnace pipes usually have sheet metal rain collar around the pipe to shed the water away from penetration. The rain collar should be caulked to prevent water from running through the small gaps. Make sure the collar is pushed down tight against the pipe flashing. Sewer vent pipes will often have a lead boot for a flashing. The lead should extend up the pipe and be folded down inside. If the lead is to short, it will need to be caulked to close the gap. Sometimes the lead is torn at the top of the pipe. This needs to be sealed also. Some pipes have a plastic or sheet metal flange around the base with a rubber grommet sealing the pipe. The grommets will deteriorate in the sun after a few years. Cracks in the grommets need to be sealed. Leaks around pipes are the simplest type to repair.

Roof leaks sometimes occur in the valleys. Many roofs have a metal valley flashing. Some valleys flashings are exposed and others are overlaid with shingles. If the valley is open, you can inspect for small holes in the metal. There is a lot of water flowing over a valley. Even small holes can allow a lot of water to leak into the house. You can apply caulking to these holes but the repair may not be permanent due to extreme flow of water. A professional roofer may be needed to replace the valley flashing.

Chimneys have metal flashings around the base connecting with the shingles. Check for gaps in the metal. Seal with a good grade of caulking. All roof sealing should be with a professional quality caulk such as urethane.

Please do not pour liquid asphalt all over the roof. This will not fix the leak and will create a horrible mess. If you do not see an obvious leak, call a roofer. Some things are better left to a professional.

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