DIY Roof Repair Tips From Roofing Contractors Dublin
Today our roofing contractors Dublin have put together a 5 easy step DIY roof repair tip that homeowners with an interest in do-it-yourself projects might want to try. It is important to note that roof repairs should not be carried out if you don’t know what you’re doing and ladder safety should be applied at all times. Roofs can be dangerous places.
DIY Roof Leak Repairs for Homeowners
Below we have five steps to follow if you want to repair a water leak in your roof. Our expert Dublin roofers have put together the following steps for all the DIY enthusiasts.
Water leaking through your roof is a major pain and some simple leaks can be fixed by a DIY enthusiast. Others will, however, require a professional roofer. If there is extensive roof damage or you have multiple leaks, this is not something you will want to tackle yourself and the repair will require a professional. If you find the repair is more than you can handle, don’t attempt it. Call Roofing Experts before you make the problem worse.
With small leaks you can do the job yourself and here’s how.
- Located the Leak:
The first thing to do which can be harder than you think is to locate the source of the leak. The first sign of a water leak in your roof is usually a stain on your ceiling. You will need to locate the leak on your roof and this can be done from ground level with binoculars or by using a ladder. You will be looking to see if there are any curled, cracked, or missing shingles. Leaks can also be found where caulking or flashing has been damaged and through end caps. Check around your chimney for any loose materials as well for wear and tear.
- Flatten any Curled Shingles
If the leak has been caused by curling shingles these can be flatted and secured by applying a coat of asphalt over them with a brush. You can use other adhesive compounds if you prefer in a caulk gun. You will need to hold down the corners and edges of the shingles as you do this to make sure that they stick and don’t lift again.
- Replace damaged or missing shingles
If you have damaged shingles they will need to be removed. To do this you need to raise the edges of the surrounding shingles and remove the nails with a hammer. The damaged shingle should slide out. Slide in a new one and alight it with those on either side. You will need to secure it in place with galvanized roofing nails. One nail should be placed in each corner.
- Reseal your chimney and any dormer windows
If the leak is coming from your chimney or dormer windows you will need to reseal these. You will need a caulking gun and roofing cement. Reseal the joints of the metal flashing and this should stop the leak.
- Replace the old roof
If you discover that the problem is much great than you though and you need to have a section of your roof replaced, there are some things you can do to reduce the repair costs. You can remove the old shingles yourself. This allows for a closer inspection by the roofing experts and lets them look at all areas for any additional structural damage that should be looked at. Getting all the repairs done at the same time can prevent further roof repairs down the road and additional costs.