If you have recently found water leaking inside your home, you might be thinking your roof is the culprit.
If you’re not a roofing professional, it can be hard to know where the leak is coming from and if a roof patch or a total roof replacement is the best course of action.
This guide will go over everything you need to know about repairing your roof and what to expect when a professional comes to asses the damage.
How to Find a Leak
If you have recently spotted some signs of water damage, staining, harmful mold, or an active leak in your home, it’s only natural to be a little stressed out. Finding the source of the leak is one of the first steps towards getting it repaired.
When you are trying to find where the leak is coming from, start by going outside and taking a look at the roof uphill from where you saw the stains or water damage.
You’ll want to look for roof penetrations. This can include a chimney, roof vent, or dormers. It is far less likely that long stretches of uninterrupted roofing shingles are where the leak is coming from.
If you have an attic, take a flashlight and asses the ceiling and roof from the inside. If you can’t access this area or see the roof from the ground or by ladder, don’t put yourself in danger by trying to access your roof.
Call a Professional
When you aren’t able to easily see where the roof is compromised or where the leak is coming from, it is time to call a professional at Fitz Roofing. In most cases, the minute you see the water stains, you’ll want to call to prevent further damage.
It can be incredibly unsafe to try and get on top of your roof if you aren’t trained or don’t have the proper equipment. This is one place you don’t want to mess with a DIY project.
A roofing professional can come in, find the source of the leak, and also asses your roof as a whole. From here they can give you the best advice in terms of patching or replacing your roof to prevent further damage.
Can a Roof Patch Work?
If your roofing expert decides that a roof patch is all your roof needs, they may be able to fix problem areas and replace shingles without a full roof repair.
While you may see products advertised such as a roof patch kit, roof leak repair spray, or shingle sealant, for a do-it-yourself patch job, don’t try these without consulting a professional. Especially where mold or water damage is concerned.
If you don’t know how to use these products, you may do more harm than good.
Do I Need a Roof Replacement
After your roof is fully assessed, your roofing professional will be able to tell you if you need a full or partial roof replacement in order to remedy the problem.
Keep in mind that sometimes, due to the extent of the damage or the age of a roof, it may be even more cost-effective to just replace the roof entirely instead of doing a piecemeal roof patch.
If you’re ready to speak with a roofing professional at Fitz Roofing, fill out the contact form here to get your home one step closer to a beautiful, safe, and more energy-efficient roof.
