Discovery a leaking roof in your home can be quite upsetting. Your roof should be protecting the inside of your house and keeping it water-tight. It is one of the most important things on your exterior to protect you from rain, snow, sleet, and hail. Many people go into panic mode when they notice their roof leaking and damaging their interior.
Chances are when you find out your roof is leaking it is raining or there is snow on your roof. No one in their right mind is going to go up there then and try to do an emergency roof repair. It’s a dangerous place to be when wet. Slipping off the roof can happen too easily.
Before you call a roofing contractor to do repairs look carefully at where the leak is to determine what might be the cause. If your roof is sloped the source of the leak may be higher up than where the actual water is coming in. Try to determine where it might be coming from so you can accurately tell the contractor what type of roof repair you need.
Chimneys are a Common Source of Leaks
Chimneys are a frequent place for leaks. The metal flashing around the chimney may have become loose. Roof cement often separates from chimneys during extreme weather and temperature changes.
Leaking Roof Vents
Roof vents are another easy area for water to seep into your home. Your roof probably has several vents. You could have vents to let the hot air out of your attic. There are usually plumbing vents too from the bathroom. Sometimes there are dryer vents. All these vents are normally sealed with flashing and/or roof cement. Many emergency roof repairs are done around vents.
Anytime there is something coming out of your roof it is a prime candidate for a leak in your roof. Your roofing material may still be in good shape. It’s these openings in your roof that can cause problems. Having to reseal them is quite common.
Call a Professional Roofing Contractor
Trying to do an emergency roof repair yourself is not as easy as it may sound. If you think you can just go up there and slap some roof cement on – you’re wrong! Just like most things there is a right and wrong way to do it. Even the smallest gap left can let water in. If the cement is applied incorrectly it may cause water to form small pools of water that will enter your home.
Emergency roof repairs are better left to a professional. Besides the risk of falling off your roof it is not a job easily accomplished by an amateur. Don’t panic – but also don’t think a do-it-yourself job will do the trick.