It may start with a drip or a deluge, but a leaky roof is a pain to deal with. Fixing it requires a lot of effort, time and money, but not fixing it may cost even more. From dealing with ceiling collapses to water damage, that leaky roof can be expensive and dangerous. Before we get started, if you do not have any roofing experience, or if you have a house that is more than one story, we do not recommend fixing your roof on your own. Roofing is a dangerous job and one that is best to left to professionals if you do not have any experience in doing it on your own.
When the proper safety precautions are taken, and when you have the right tools, you can fix your own roof. However, some leaks may require professional assistance, and it may be cheaper in the long run to have someone do it for you. Before you step one foot on your roof, carefully consider all of your options and put your safety first.
The first step to take when fixing your roof is to determine where the leak is and where the water is coming from. In some cases, the leak may not even be from the roof at all, such as when air conditioning lines leak. The first place to look are skylights and the flashing around your roof. Commonly, flashing around the chimney is the first place that leaks start since this can be blown off in bad weather.
If you are noticing water stains on your ceilings, the leaks may be harder to trace. The first step is to access either the attic or the crawlspace. You should be able to have a better idea of the origination of the leak from there. If you have several leaks, it may take a lot more time to track down each spot that is causing the problem.
Once you have determined the location of the leak, it’s time to head up to the roof to start fixing it. One leak will usually not require replacing the entire roof, and it is best to try to spot fix first before going to the extra trouble and expense of replacing a roof. Before you go up, you’ll need to have the right tools at your disposal. Purchase extra flashing to match what you already have, and have extra pieces of your roofing material ready to go.
You will also need a hammer, screwdrivers and a staple gun, depending on the type of roofing material you have. Access your roof safely and inspect the material and flashing. You should also take a look at the flashing by your gutters, since this is another trouble area. Once you have found the exact spot of the leak on the roof, you can better evaluate what needs to be done. Take your time and make sure that you do the job right to avoid having to go back up to re-fix what you might have missed.
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Most of today’s homes have crawl spaces, but few of us ever venture up there. No one really likes to think of crawling up into that tight space, but there may be a few reasons to consider it. It is important to schedule an annual checkup for your crawlspace, since this can help you spot potential signs of trouble and get them stopped before they become larger issues. Let’s take a look at how to inspect your crawlspace for a very common problem and how to fight it.
