subject: Fixing A Leaking Roof Hard Or Easy? [print this page] One night, youre sitting and watching your favourite show on television, having a drink and enjoying the cool breeze; then a drop of water falls right on the top your head, theres a leak! The scenario may not be so common, but a leaking roof certainly is and nobody likes them.
So what do you do? Calling someone to fix it is the simplest but not the cheapest way of getting the roof fixed. There are many simple ways to fix a leaking roof, if the leak is easy to find. All you need are some tools and the location. So start by looking for where the leak is coming from.
There are two ways to look for a leak, from the inside and from the outside. Sorry to tell you but it may not be as simple as looking for where the drop came from and voila, leak is right above. Its possible for water to flow along pipes and interior surfaces, short or long distance, before it drops onto your ceiling. Its possible that the problem is right above the leak, so measure as to where the leak is on the inside and youll know where to look when youre on your roof. If you have an attic however, look up there for any standing water, water stains, mould, wet insulation or other exposed insulation.
If that doesnt work, you can try pouring water on your roof on a sunny day. Pour the water on a small portion of your roof, and if theres no leak inside, check another spot till the leak starts. Do give enough of a time gap between pouring the water. When youve found your leak, get ready for the tools.
Some people have a bunch of tools in the garage or basement that they can use for fixing a leaking roof, but if you dont then the hardware store is your next destination. Now depending on the cause of the leak, youll know what to buy. A small crack can be fixed with a little bit of work, a hammer and some nails or a sticky drying solution. If you need to replace a shingle or tile then youll need more than that. Depending on the type of roof you have, these are some items youll need:
Replacing Shingles:
Pry bar
Scraper
Replacement shingle
Utility knife
6d galvanised roofing nails
Hammer
Asphalt roof cement
Trowel
Flat Roof:
Utility knife
Clean rags
Propane torch with flame-spreader nozzle
Safety goggles
Asphalt roof cement or compound
Trowel
6d galvanised roofing nails
Hammer
Tile Roof
Hammer
Replacement tile
Galvanised roofing nails
Caulking compound or Roof cement
Now if the leak is not from something on the roofs surface, then it maybe from open valleys. In this case youll need:
Sheet metal
Wire brush
Metal shears
Roof cement
Trowel
If these items seem a bit alien to you, then I suggest you call for help instead. If youre going to fix the leaking roof by yourself, then make sure you follow safety precautions at all times. Remember to work on a sunny day when the roof is dry, sliding down a roof and hitting the ground is not fun. Use safety ropes and secure, sturdy ladders. Dress appropriately, most important part of your wardrobe being your shoes. Rubber-soled shoes are the safest on roofs. Look at your surroundings, be careful of power lines and keep someone in the know about what youre up to, ladders do fall sometimes.
