Thinking of Tackling Your Roof Repairs Alone? These 5 DIY Tips Will Help…

Did you know that most good quality roof shingles can last 20-30 years?

But as time goes on, they begin to decay. They may tear off in bad weather, or they may disintegrate and fall away. This will leave your home exposed to the elements and extensive damage can take place.

If you have a leaky roof, you may wonder what you can do — call in the pros? Or try it DIY style? If you want to try a few roof repairs DIY style, you should follow these tips.

So, what are you waiting for? Don’t let it go over your head, read on to get the know-how!

1. Track Down the Roof Leak

Before you start doing any repairs, you need to find out exactly where your roof is leaking.

If you’ve spotted any stains, try to find out what’s going on above them. If there is something that penetrates the roof (e.g. a chimney or vent) that is most likely the culprit. They may not be directly above, they may be to the left or right of the stain.

If you’re struggling to find where the actual leak is, find a buddy to help you. Spray your roof strategically with a garden hose. When the drip appears indoors, you should be able to identify where the leak is.

2. Sneaky Leaky Roof

The cause of some roof leaks is due to small sneaky holes that can cause a lot of damage. There may be small holes left over from an antenna, mounting brackets or a satellite dish. Once you find it, you can simply patch it up.

A small roof leak may also be due to a “shiner”. A “shiner” is a rogue nail that missed the framing. In the night it can get frosty, then in the heat of the day, the moisture will drip down causing a small leak.

The solution is simple. Clip the nail!

3. Fix the Flashing

In many roof repair cases, the cause of the leak is the flashing. The location os the flashing is in any areas where there is a gap in the roof. For instance, around chimneys and skylights.

If the flashing becomes rusty or comes loose, it won’t do its job. Water will run behind it and drip into your house. You may need to replace the flashing or you may need to tightly secure it.

4. Patching Up with Roof Repairs

If your roof is leaking, the issue may lie with the roof shingles. A single may have become damaged, may have slipped or may have disappeared completely!

Whatever the case, if it’s a small area, it won’t be too hard to replace the shingles. Make sure you choose shingles that match your current ones. Nothing looks worse than a patchy roof.

5. Call the Professionals

If your roof is leaking and the damage is widespread, it might be time to call in the pros. You could try DIY, but in the end, you may do more damage than good. Not every problem is as straightforward as it looks, after all.

Call a roofing contractor for a professional inspection and quote. With their professional eyes, they can make sure you’re tackling the real problem.

DIY Tips and Hacks

Of course, roof repairs are only one thing that you have to keep on top of in your home. What if your house has mold? Check out this article to find out how to zap mold from your cozy home DIY style.