How to Repair a Leaky Roof

• Yellowing or water stains on the walls or ceilings
• A musty odor in your property
• Spots lining exterior walls
• Rough patches on walls and ceilings
• Missing or damaged shingles
• Black marks along the rafters and roof sheathing

You should also check the roof penetrations, such as the attic, roof vents, dormers, etc. As much as possible, wear safety gear and bring a flashlight with you. Be cautious when inspecting these areas.

Small Leak Solution

Some leaks can be challenging to detect. Sometimes the stains or spots may appear in certain areas but be distant from the actual leak. In case your ceiling has a barrier between the attic insulation and the drywall, look for flow stains on the vapor barrier and light fixtures.

If you cannot detect any flow marks, check the underside of the roof. Pay attention to the roof frames. Watch out for missing or dislodged nails from the sheathing or rafters, as this can be the cause of the roof leaks. The easiest way to address this is to clip the nail using side-cutting pliers. However, keep in mind that this is only a temporary fix.

Removing Damaged Roof Vents

Removing and replacing roof vents can be challenging. As much as possible, have someone help when performing these tasks.

• First, you need to pull out the nails from the shingles and the vents. Tampa roofing experts recommend using a pry bar to perform this task.
• After removing the nails, pull back the shingles covering the base of the vent. You may need an assistant when doing this to ensure safety and avoid damages.
• Most roofs have nails holding the vent to the roof deck. If so, remove them, as well.
• Now, you can safely remove the roof vents.

Replacing Roof Vents

• First, you need to seal the flashings using roof cement or strong sealants.
• Ask your helper to roll back and separate the shingles as you slide in the vent.
• Check the lower section and be sure the vent flashing and shingles are secured.
• Once secured, you can now nail down the vents.
• Do not forget to cover the nails with cement or sealant.

Fixing Walls And Dormers

Leaks may also come from dormer walls due to old, damaged or missing caulk between the corner boards, siding or window edges. Water can easily penetrate among these cracks, which can cause leaks.

What To Do?

• Check the walls and dormers using a putty knife. Watch out for cracks.
• Recaulk any weak areas to seal them off.
• Be sure to check the siding and flashings and recaulk if necessary. The new piece should overlap the flashing by at least 3 inches.
• Check other areas thoroughly and apply caulk when needed.

Other Tasks You Need To Perform To Address Roof Leaks

• Tear off and replace old shingles
• Address the old roofing paper
• Inspect the deck cut area
• Remove and replace damaged roof deck