12th February 2020
12th February 2020
The roof is an important part of your house. It keeps your house watertight. It protects the inside of your home from the elements. Roof damage may mean a leaking roof or broken roof tiles. Possible causes are slipped roof tiles or even hail damage.
If you think you have roof damage, here’s what you should do next:
A leaking roof or other roof damage is not always a result of a hole in the roof. It may be due to broken roof tiles or slipped roof tiles. Either of these can be caused by hail damage or other adverse weather conditions, like heavy rain or snow. Finding the source of the problem can be straightforward if rainwater is pouring through your roof during a heavy rainstorm but some leaks are more insidious and difficult to pinpoint.
A professional roofer, who has access to electronic testing equipment, may be needed to find the cause of an intermittent leaking roof.
The above technology may be needed to detect an intermittent leaking roof but there are some common, easy to spot signs of a leaking roof, which you should try first:
Flat roof damage and damage to the roof flashing, are both sources of a leaking roof. If you have either of these roof leaks, here are a few tips on how to repair them.
The general state of the flat roof must be considered before effecting a repair. If the flat roof state is poor, it will leak from another part and anything but an emergency repair is a waste of money. The whole roof will need replacement.
Where the remainder of the flat roof is good, then a temporary repair can be made to stop the leaking roof, using the appropriate material, which may be felt, asphalt, concrete, fibreglass or paint on waterproofer. The important thing is to use the correct material and not to use too much. The idea is to stop the leak and prevent further water damage, until a professional repair is carried out. This type of repair is often suitable for a competent DIY person who doesn’t mind working at heights. Be mindful of health and safety and use scaffolding, if required, for safe working.
A permanent repair is best carried out by a professional roofer. The aim is to repair an otherwise sound roof so that the damaged area is made good for the expected life of the roof. The materials used for this are similar to those for temporary repairs.
Roof flashing protects the roof against leaks, where it meets other structures, like chimneys, any dips in the roof, and at the roof edges. It is made of metal – often lead. Small holes in the flashing material can be repaired by filling with roof cement, and then supplementing with a patch made from the flashing material affixed with roof cement.
A larger roof flashing repair will necessitate removing the flashing around the damaged area and replacing with a like material. This is usually a job for a professional.
Roof leak repair costs vary widely. Some, as seen above, can be carried out by a competent DIY person. More complicated repairs, especially those of a permanent nature, need to be carried out by a roofing professional. Do your research, especially if the repair is not covered by insurance. Searching to find a competitive roof leak repair cost is easy using the internet, but make sure the site is safe before you visit. Many firms offer quotes for roof leak repair, so get at least three, for the best deal.
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