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How to Properly Patch a Roof Leak

roof-repair

Most homeowners would agree that a simple roof leak is no reason to drop hundreds of dollars on hiring a professional contractor. Plenty of people prefer to take a DIY approach to small renovation projects in the interest of saving money and hassle, but as many can testify, sometimes this attitude gets people into trouble down the road.

Specially, In locations where there is a great deal of sun roofers must consider using green friendly cool roof coatings when completing simple repairs or coating decks. Arizona roofing companies are one of the leading states for implementing Elastomeric coatings.

Fixing a leaky roof should be a simple enough task, but messing it up can end up costing even more money and causing larger problems. Here are some tips to properly patch a roof leak that will prevent you from having to call in the professionals!

Shingle Roof

1. Locate the leak:

Shingle-Roof.Water damage usually presents itself as a dark stain. If you’re not sure whether a stain is just discoloration due to old or to a true leak, keep your eye on it the next time it rains to see if it expands. It’s important not to wait too long before taking action – this can allow mold and mildew to grow in the moist area. One you’ve located the leak from the inside of your home, get up on your roof and poke around. Look for damaged shingles, or shingles that are curling up on the edges or buckling around the middle. Check if any of the end tabs are loose.

2. Make sure the area is completely dry:

Brush away any debris like leaves or moss.

3. Lift up the damaged shingle:

Pull out the roofing nails so it can be completely removed. This might require lifting up the corners of neighboring shingles. Check underneath the tab to see if there looks to be any more damage under the shingle – if the damage is deeper than the defunct shingle, it might require calling in a professional. If you want to be extra safe, replace a few of the surrounding shingles just in case.

4. Place a new shingle in place:

This part is pretty straightforward. You need to slide the shingle into place and align it so that the lip juts properly. Secure with roofing nails, and be sure to cover the nails with roofing adhesive or cement before smoothing down the neighboring shingles.

Flat Roof 

1. Clean the area:

Clean the areaIt’s even more crucial for flat roofs that the area is completely dry. Get rid of all leaves, dirt, dust, debris, or whatever is sitting on top of the roof.

2. Cut a strip of roofing reinforcement fabric to size:

Place against the leaky area and extend at least 3 inches beyond it just in case. This can be difficult if there isn’t one neat whole, but a whole worn-down section. Always error on the side of caution and make a bigger patch rather than a smaller one.

3. Spread roofing cement all over the leaky area:

Patch-a-Roof-LeakYou might be inclined to apply a really thick, generous layer, but this can cause sagging. We recommend making the center of the patch no more than ¼ to ½ an inch, and try to smooth it down around the edges so it gradually becomes flush with the roof.

4. Gently press the roofing reinforcement into the cement layer:

It should be flat and smooth, with no bubbles if you can avoid it. Don’t be afraid to really press it in so that it’s fully seated.

5. Put another layer:

Pour another thin layer, ¼ an inch only, on top of the reinforcement, and pat it down so that it’s spread easily.

Article Submitted By Community Writer

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