Are you noticing water stains on your roof? It is an indication of a leak in your roof.
Leaky roofs are more than just a nuisance. They can cause serious damage to your home if left unaddressed.
Water stains on your ceiling or walls, mould or mildew growth, and peeling paint are all signs that your roof needs a fix.
But what’s the best way to fix a leaky roof?
Read on to find out.
Solution #1: Check Your Gutters
Clogged gutters are the most common cause of a leaky roof. When gutters become filled with leaves, twigs, and other debris, they can no longer effectively funnel water away from your home.
As a result, water backs up and seeps into your roof, causing leaks. To control this, be sure to clean your gutter channels often. You can do this yourself using a ladder and a pair of gloves, or hire a professional 24/7 plumber in Hoppers Crossing to do it for you at regular intervals.
Also, while you are at it, check for any cracks in your guttering or if any joints have come off the walls.
Solution #2: Make Sure Your Roof Ventilation Is Adequate
Your roof needs ventilation in order to function properly. Without adequate ventilation, heat and moisture can build up inside your attic, which can lead to premature ageing of your roofing materials and, eventually, leaks.
To ensure proper ventilation, make sure there is either a loft vent or an attic window.
Solution #3: Inspect Your Flashing
The first line of defence against leaks is the roof flashing.
Flashing is a strip made of aluminium or galvanised steel that covers the joints in a roof. It aids in sealing off the roofing from chimneys, skylights, and the margins of the roof.
These metal strips may rust, degrade, or become loose over time, which could lead to leaks. Angled flashing or flashing that produces a trough is particularly susceptible to corrosion and damage.
Generally, any location where several roof planes connect or where it is possible to see roof structures has flashing all around it. The areas around peaks, eaves, valleys, and other intersections fall within this category.
Thus, if you notice any loose or missing flashing on your roof, have it repaired or replaced immediately by a professional plumber in Hoppers Crossing.
Solution #4: Apply Roofing Cement
Roofing cement is a type of sealant used to fill small cracks and gaps in your roofing material.
It creates an impermeable barrier against water infiltration, helping to prevent leaks before they start. Simply apply the cement around areas where you suspect leaks may occur (around skylights, vent pipes, chimneys, etc.), and smooth it out so that it forms a seamless seal.
Solution #5: Fixing from the Attic
It is an open secret that leaky roofs cannot be fixed from inside the house. However, it is possible if the leak is small.
Go to your attic and take off the insulation from the ceiling drywall. If you notice any standing water, clean it up with sponges. A little caution is not to put weight on the wet area as it will likely cause a break.
Then look for the leak. It’s the toughest task of this entire process. But take your time and find the exact location of the leak in your roof.
Finally, you can start patching it up when the roof is dry. Take a putty knife and spread a liberal amount of bitumen paint to the leak area. Later, press a shingle to the paint and apply more around the edges.
This is how you can fix a leaky roof from inside the house. But remember, this is only good when the leak is small, and you are okay with a temporary fix.
Solution #6: Fixing a Flat Roof Leaking
In contrast to sloped roofs, flat roofs are more prone to leaks because they can easily collect water puddles. So, to fix it, you must first consider the type of material used in your roof.
For instance, concrete and metal are tougher and less vulnerable to leakages. You may discuss these with your plumber in Hoppers Crossing and get more appropriate advice for your situation.
You may as well try increasing the length of the roof sheets into the gutter. The greater overhang you can accomplish into a gutter, the lower the likelihood of water penetrating the roof by capillary action and climbing back up the roof sheet.
50 mm is the bare minimum. We advise beginning at 100mm of overhang on a level roof. Aim for 150mm if you can. But be certain to provide space for gutter maintenance.
Conclusion
If you have a leaky roof, do not ignore it!
Ignoring a problem will only make it worse and could eventually lead to serious damage to your home (not to mention expensive repairs).
Use the solutions outlined above to address any leaks as soon as you notice them.
There is one final solution—finding a skilled plumber to sort out the leakage problem. It is obvious, but often people skimp on it, which can cause more problems later. Thus, there is a necessity to find a reliable plumber in your area.
As a head start, keep NLK Plumbing in your mind. NLK has all sorts of experts, from a roof plumber to a blocked drain specialist in Hoppers Crossing.
