Materials Used to Repair a Leaking Roof
Moisture from a leaky roof can ruin wall and floor coverings, damage wood framing, and cause mold and mildew. An influx of water can also increase energy bills due to the loss of insulation.
If you can safely access the area where a leak is occurring, you can make temporary repairs with roofing materials from your home improvement store. Depending on the location of the leak, you can use either tar paper, plastic sheeting or plywood to cover and seal it.
Tar Paper
Tar paper is a thick, paper-like material that is soaked in tar to create a waterproof building underlayment. It is used in roof construction and to line exterior walls before they are finished. It is not a substitute for shingles as it does not protect the underlying wood from moisture.
You can purchase tar paper in the building materials section of most hardware stores. It is a convenient way to make a temporary patch in your leaky roof until you can have it repaired permanently. Once you have located the source of the leak and removed any shingles that are damaged, lay a piece of tar paper over the area and secure it to the roof sheathing with galvanized staples or nails.
When laying tar paper, always place the sticky side down. The other side is smooth like paper and typically has lettering and line markings. You should never put shingles on top of tar paper as it will void any manufacturer warranty and may cause shingles to deteriorate quickly due to the excess moisture.
If you don’t have any roofing tar, you can use plastic sheeting to cover the area of your leaky roof. Make sure to secure it tightly with duct tape or nails so it won’t be blown off in the next wind storm. It is also important to remember that tar and plastic sheeting will only provide a temporary solution for your leaking roof, so make sure to call League City Roof Repair as soon as possible to have the problem permanently fixed. This will prevent further damage and save you money in the long run. The longer you wait to have the problem repaired, the more costly it will be.
Plastic Sheeting
The first step to fixing a leaky roof is covering the area with plastic sheeting. This will stop the rain from entering the home and causing further damage. You can purchase tarps at most hardware stores. These are also commonly used in construction and agriculture settings to keep out moisture, gases and other debris. They’re very easy to fold up and store for the next time you need them.
Some of the earliest signs that you have a leaking roof are water spots on the ceiling. These show up near light fixtures and outlets in your home. Often the water will run down behind these items and leave a stain on the wall. Water may also saturate carpet padding and other flooring materials and create mold. It can also rot joists, rafters and OSB in your home.
If you have access to the attic, the best place to find the location of a leak is there. Look for any protrusions, black marks, water stains or mold. If you have a soffit, gable or other vent opening, cover it with plastic sheeting to prevent the leak from running into this area of your home.
To place the plastic sheeting, get on the roof (following all the proper roof safety protocols like using sturdy boots and having a friend spot you). Place the tarp over the hole in your roof and secure it with heavy objects like bricks or wood strips nailed to the two by fours. For smaller holes, duct tape can also be used. The tarp should extend down to the eaves and over the entire peak of the roof. This should be enough to protect the interior of your home until a roof repair professional can come out to fix the problem.
Roofing Sealant or Tar Tape
Many roof leaks can be repaired by applying a roof sealant or tape to the area. This is a simpler process than covering the entire roof and can be done from inside the attic, if necessary. Unlike plastic sheeting, roof sealants are designed to stick directly to roofing materials such as shingles. Tape sealants are also more affordable, making them ideal for patching minor leaks or sealing vulnerable roof seams.
Before applying the sealant, it is important to clean the surface thoroughly. The area should be free of dust, dirt, mold, moss and other debris. Once the surface has been cleaned, it is important to allow it to dry completely before using the tape or sealant.
Modern roofing tapes are long-lasting and can seal a leaking roof for an extended period of time. They create a watertight seal with most roofing materials and can be used on shingle, metal, PVC or other roofs. These tapes are also easy to apply, which makes them an ideal solution for League City Roof Repair.
When choosing a roof sealant, it is important to consider the weather conditions where you live. For example, hot temperatures and humidity can impact how well the sealant adheres to the roof's surface. It is also important to choose a sealant that is rated for the temperature range in your location.
There are a number of roof sealants on the market, including Liquid Rubber and Waterproof Sealant. These products are easy to apply and provide an excellent waterproof seal, but they are not a permanent solution for a leaking roof. Both flex seal and coal tar may be sold as a temporary fix for a leaking roof, but they are not durable enough to stand up to the elements and should only be used when replacing the damaged roofing material is not possible.
Roofing Cement
If you have a roof that is starting to leak, it's important to get the problem fixed as soon as possible to avoid costly water damage. Roofing cement (also known as roofing mastic) is used to patch holes, cracks and gaps in roofs and flashings. It can also be used to reattach loose shingles and seal areas where a shingle has been cut or punctured. Typically, roofing cement is applied with a trowel or putty knife and caulking gun.
Roofing cement is often made of an asphalt base, but it can also be found with rubber or silicone materials. A silicone-based roofing cement will be highly elastic, making it ideal for repairing leaks in roofs that expand and contract with temperature changes. Another popular choice is a butyl rubber roof cement that's often used to repair leaks around chimneys.
When using roof cement, it's important to follow the instructions on the package and work in dry weather. It's also a good idea to call in a League City Roof Repair to make sure you are using the right product for your roof type and making the repairs properly.
Once you've located the source of the leak, you can use roofing tar or other roof cement to create a temporary patch. It's important to identify the edges of the hole or crack that's letting in water and gently use your trowel or putty knife to pack the roofing cement into place. Be careful not to push too hard or you may cause additional damage.
Leaking roofs aren't just a nuisance; they can cause serious problems inside the structure of the building. Moisture can rot joists, rafters and OSB and lead to major structural damage. In addition, black mold can grow in a moist environment, leading to health issues and property damage. Taking care to repair roofs and flashings as soon as a problem arises can extend the lifetime of the roof and prevent expensive repairs in the future.
Shingles or Flashing
Flashing is a thin metal material that professional roofers use to create watertight joints at critical points of a roof's structure. It's typically made from aluminum, copper or galvanized steel. It's installed at the junctures of the roof plane and walls (side walls and front walls), low spots where two roof slopes meet (called valleys) and around roof protrusions like chimneys, bathroom and kitchen vents and skylights.
When flashing fails to do its job, water can enter the home. It can damage carpet and drywall, saturate rugs and wallpaper and cause paint bubbles on interior walls. It can also corrode wood floors and rot the joists beneath them.
Roofers can repair leaking flashing with roofing cement and tar tape, or they can use plastic sheeting. If they choose to use the latter option, they'll need to locate the source of the leak, then place a piece of sturdy plastic on the roof and secure it with roofing nails. It may help to weigh the sheeting down with large rocks or bricks to keep it from blowing off in a windstorm. Duct tape can be used in a pinch to hold the plastic in place, as well.
Ideally, homeowners will have roofing tar on hand to make a temporary patch to protect their homes from water damage. They should find the source of the leak and remove any loose or damaged shingles in the area. A putty knife can be used to spread roofing tar over the leaking spot, then cover it with a piece of plywood or spare shingles and press down firmly to seal the patch. It's a good idea to monitor these patches and any other leaky areas until you can call in a roofer for a more permanent solution.
Moisture from a leaky roof can ruin wall and floor coverings, damage wood framing, and cause mold and mildew. An influx of water can also increase energy bills due to the loss of insulation. If you can safely access the area where a leak is occurring, you can make temporary repairs with roofing materials from…