The first indication your roof is leaking might be water dripping from the ceiling. That's a pretty good sign the roof has been leaking for some time since the water has made it through the roof deck, insulation, and ceiling drywall. Call a roofer to find the leak and repair it as soon as possible. The leak may not be right above the drip. Sometimes, finding the leak is difficult, but a roofer can use tools that detect moisture if needed. Below are some ways that a roofing contractor may perform leak repairs..

When Protrusions Are Leaking

Anything that passes through your roof, such as a chimney, skylight, or plumbing vent is a potential risk for a roof leak. These areas are usually covered with metal flashing or a rubber boot to keep water out, but if the flashing works loose or the boot cracks, then rain can leak in. Since these are fairly common areas for roof leaks, the roofer may check the protrusions and flashing first.

If the problem is a rubber boot, the bad boot can be pulled off and replaced with a new one. This may involve lifting flashing and shingles to get the boot off. When the new boot is on, the shingles and flashing should be secured to the roof properly. If the problem is loose flashing, the roofer can apply adhesives, nails, or caulk to close the leak and secure the flashing to the deck.

When Shingles Are Damaged

When shingles are damaged, they can be replaced to stop the leak. Replacing shingles is a fairly easy roof leak repair. The damaged shingles can be pulled off and the new ones slid in place. New shingles are attached with nails on the top and adhesive on the bottom. The roofer might need to replace a few shingles to repair a leak.

The roofer might consider repairing the shingles instead. Cracks can be sealed so water stays out and granules can be glued on top of the shingles to help hide the repairs. One reason repairs might be a better option is that new shingles sometimes stick out since they are a brighter color.

When the Deck Has Water Damage

If rain is leaking into your attic, there's a good chance the deck has water damage unless the problem is caused by a hole created by an animal. In either case, the damaged deck area has to be replaced. The roofer needs to take off some shingles so the damaged area is exposed. This also requires removing the underlayment in the area.

Then the roofer can use a saw to cut out the damaged section. A dry piece of plywood can then be nailed to the rafters to patch the area. Underlayment is then added and topped with new shingles. This is a more involved roof leak repair, but it's necessary to replace a bad deck or the rot could spread and make the problem worse.

Get the roof leak repair service that you need from a professional in your area.

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