Roof leaks are a serious issue that can lead to quite a bit of damage and potentially make the roof unsafe. While a minor leak may not seem like a huge deal, it is definitely something you want to get fixed as soon as you spot the issue. In this article, we’ll explain what goes into fixing various types of roof leaks and why leak repair is always something you should hire a professional for.
Issues That Can Cause Roof Leaks and How to Repair Them
Whenever you’re dealing with any roof leak, the first step to fixing the issue is determining what is actually causing the roof to leak. The parts of a roof that are most prone to leaking are the areas around features like chimneys, vent pipes or skylights, as well as in the valleys where two different angles or faces meet. All of these places normally have pieces of metal flashing sandwiched between the roofing underlayment and the shingles or tiles. Once the flashing is in place, roofers then seal around all sides of the metal with silicone or caulk, then seal around the entire protrusion. The purpose of the flashing is to ensure that any water that gets underneath the roofing materials still drains away instead of potentially soaking through the flashing and leaking into the attic.
If your roof leaks due to one of these protrusions, sometimes all that needs to be done to stop the leak is to remove the old sealant and then reseal the area. Nonetheless, it’s usually best to remove some of the roofing materials in the area just to make sure that the flashing is still intact and fully sealed. If you have a leak in any of the roof valleys, you need to remove the shingles or tiles from each side of the valley so that you can fix, reseal or replace the flashing. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove the old flashing and add another layer of underlayment just to ensure the leak is fully patched up.
Damaged shingles or tiles can also easily lead to the roof leaking. Water normally just flows straight off the shingles or tiles, but it can end up soaking through or getting underneath them if they’re damaged. This is an especially big concern if your roof has felt underlayment instead of synthetic. Synthetic underlayment is mostly waterproof, which means any water that gets underneath the roofing materials should still be able to drain away. The issue with felt underlayment is that it’s only water-resistant. That means moisture can still eventually soak through it when lots of water is present, resulting in the roof leaking.
Fixing a leak caused by damaged shingles, damaged tiles, or deteriorating underlayment is a much bigger task. In this case, you’ll need to remove the damaged roofing materials as well as some of the other shingles or tiles in the surrounding area. If the underlayment is still in good condition, all it takes is to replace the damaged roofing materials. If some of the underlayment also needs to be replaced, you’ll need to remove more of the existing shingles or tiles in the area even if most of them are still intact and in good condition.
The Importance of Hiring a Professional to Repair Roof Leaks
Even minor roof leaks aren’t something that most people will be able to repair themselves. The only time when you may be able to do the job properly is if you just need to reseal around an intrusion. Even then, you’re always better off enlisting the help of a professional roofing company. Part of the reason is just to ensure that the leak is fully patched up so that you don’t continue experiencing issues. Another reason is that most roofing companies will warranty their work and come back to fix the issue at no cost if the roof continues to leak.
Failing to fix a leak properly can lead to mold issues or cause some of the sheets that make up the wooden roof deck to start rotting and decaying. The latter issue is something you definitely want to avoid since it could potentially lead to that part of the roof sagging or even collapsing. If you have any rotten sheets on your roof, you’ll generally need a full roof replacement to fix the issue. You’ll also have to pay more to replace your roof since it will be necessary to replace some of the sheets instead of only needing to replace the underlayment and shingles or tiles.
One final reason you should always hire a professional for any roofing work is for your safety. Working on a roof can always be dangerous due to the risk of falling off and getting seriously hurt or suffering fatal injuries. That’s why professional roofers use specialized fall-arresting equipment like harnesses, ropes and anchors to ensure they can perform the work safely.
Doug Brue Construction has more than 40 years of experience providing expert roof repair and replacement services in Hastings and the Twin Cities area. We work on most types of residential and commercial roofs and can quickly get any issues with your roof taken care of. To schedule a roof inspection or any other service, contact us today.
