How To Fix A Leaking Roof From The Inside
Homeowners have to deal with repairs in their homes on a monthly basis. Usually, these kinds of repairs are sufferable and some take pleasure in doing this kind of work. The one issue that no homeowner wants is a leaking roof.
A leaking roof can do a lot of damage in your home that can cost you a lot more than the usual repairs. So, I guess you are here because you are one of the unfortunates. You’re probably wondering if you can fix the leaking roof from the inside, worry not, you’re in the right place.
The leak can be fixed from the inside if your shingles, tiles, or part of your asphalt flat roof is damaged. If an object like the chimney or the gutter is damaged, the leak must be fixed from the outside. In addition, if your home doesn’t have an attic or a crawl space, the leak can’t be fixed from the inside. Keeping that in mind, in order to fix the roof you need to locate the leak, get replacement material and finally seal the leak. Be aware, fixing your roof like this is only a temporary solution. When available, renovate your roof because a leak usually means it’s time for a change.
So, if you meet the necessary criteria, keep reading for the thorough guide for each roofing material. We’ll start with the location of the leak.
How to locate the leak?
I’m guessing you probably figured out that your roof is leaking because one of your walls is wet. That’s the way leaks usually work, gravity takes the water down and it travels via your walls ending in the base of your house.
Most likely, the leak isn’t right up above the wall which is damaged. Because most roofs are narrow, the leak is in some other place and the slope took the water to the spot you are seeing. So, the best way to locate the leak is by going into your attic or crawl space.
There are some useful things to know before we start with what you should do in the attic.
Why do roofs leak?
Knowing why roofs usually leak will help you with your search.
Heavy storm– I know this is pointless to say, seeing as how anyone will figure out it’s the storm that caused the problem. Nonetheless, try to remember if there was a storm recently. Even if there was a storm 2 months ago, it could still be the source of the problem. It takes time for the leak to appear.
Old roof– It doesn’t matter what your roof is made of, over time it will degrade. This leads to holes in your roof and higher chances of leaks. More so, an old roof and a big storm is a catastrophe waiting to happen. If this is your situation, fix the leak to prevent further damage in your home and think about replacing it as soon as possible.
Bad installment– If you have lived in your house for more than 2-3 years and haven’t had problems with a leaking roof, this doesn’t concern you. However, if you’ve just moved in or recently renovated your roof, there’s a chance that it isn’t installed properly. For this situation I highly recommend hiring a professional.
Shingles or tiles are damaged– There are a number of reasons why a shingle or a tile would be damaged. Try to remember if there was a heavy storm in your area recently. If one tile or shingle is damaged, chances say there will be a hole in your roof. Luckily, this is easily fixable from inside your house and anyone handy can do it.
Damaged leak preventers– By leak preventers I mean objects that are installed around chimneys or roof windows to keep water from entering your house. If installed incorrectly, the preventers will not be efficient. Of course, time can also affect these objects, so keep that in mind too. Unfortunately, this problem can’t be fixed from inside your house.
Chimney is damaged– Of course, not all houses have chimneys. This goes for those that do have one. If it’s poorly installed or old, the base of the chimney may be the cause of the leak. Sometimes storms can cause the issue but it’s not that common.
That’s about it. Let’s see how to actually locate the leak. Also, sometimes a naughty neighbor can be the cause of the leak. I’m not suggesting anything but if you have had problems with your neighbors in the past, it’s reasonable to assume that someone wanted revenge.
Finding the source
The first thing to do is handling damage the leak has caused in your home. I’m guessing one of your walls is probably wet. You need to get rid of the humidity and then dry your walls because there is a high chance of mold forming.
It’s best to use a dehumidifier and let the wall dry by itself. Especially, if a large area is damaged from the leak. If you don’t have a dehumidifier on hand, use a fan to dry the wall. This will prevent any further issues. Once the wall is completely dry and there’s a low chance of raining in the next day, you can move on to the leak.
Now, enter your attic or crawl space. Make sure you have a source of light. Use your phone if there isn’t a light installed in your attic. It’s best if you do this by day because if there’s an obvious hole in your roof, the sunlight will indicate where the hole is.
In some cases, you won’t be able to notice the leak immediately. You can still find the leak by following the water. Start right above from the wall that is damaged. Obviously, there will be droplets of water there or a small pond. Look around to see from where the water is dripping. There’s probably a slope, so, follow it.
Check around for other leaks that still haven’t shown up in your home. When the leak is located, you can move on to actually fixing it.
Fixing the leaking roof
For some this step is the scary part. Don’t worry though, it’s quite simple. It all depends on what kind of material your roof is made of. A trip to the hardware store is a must, seeing as how no one has a replacement tile or shingle on hand.
Couple of things before we start. Remember that your roof should be completely dry and as I said before, there’s a low chance of raining. If you think that it may rain again you need to improvise and cut off the leak. By that I mean, stop it from damaging your walls even more.
Place a bucket or something that can collect under the dripping point or lay some dry cloths to soak up the water. Of course, a bucket is preferable but in some cases that just isn’t a choice.
Roof with tiles
You will need a replacement tile or tiles if more than one is damaged. Sometimes, the tile will be only cracked without being completely damaged. If that’s the case with you, only get roofing sealant. Any hardware store should have it, just ask for a sealant for your tile roof.
The destroyed tile needs to be placed above the replacement. You can do this with a crowbar. Lift the tile and let the crowbar hold it there. Smashing the tile with a hammer works but you need to be careful not to damage other tiles.
Attach the replacement tile by nailing it to the sheathing or lug. Use roofing nails. You can also use a tile clip. In some cases, nails and clips aren’t necessary, if the tiles are placed like that. Make sure to check how the other tiles are installed. Remove crowbar after installing new tile.
As I said slightly cracked tiles don’t need to be replaced. Just gently lift the tile up and seal the crack with roofing sealant. In addition, apply sealant below the tile, the places where it will meet with other tiles. Lastly, place the tile in its right position and let the sealant do its job.
Roof with shingles
Same as with the tiles, you will need replacement shingles too. Stores usually don’t sell them in custom sizes, you will need to cut it in the right shape.
First, you need to remove the nails of the bad shingle. You can use your hand for lifting the shingle. To keep it in place after that use a crowbar.
Then, nail the replacement shingle firmly into place. This will keep it in place but it’s not enough to prevent further leaks. To make sure it’s tight, apply roofing adhesive along the sides of the shingle. That way the new shingle will be stuck with the rest of the shingles.
Other roof materials
Now, some roofs are harder to fix. For example, if you have a wooden roof, repairing takes expertise and time. Only those that know woodworking should do this by themselves. And I guess woodworkers wouldn’t come here for my help.
On the other hand, asphalt roofs are easily fixable. Although they are common for apartment buildings, some houses have them. Just clean the damaged area and freely apply asphalt primer over it. Then, place quality patching that will prevent leaks. You will need more than one person for this. In the end, smoothen out the patching with a roller.
That’s about it. Keep in mind that I only listed roof materials that are easily fixable even by those that are not that handy. As I said other materials are harder to fix and require expertise. If in doubt, be sure to call a professional. Also, don’t rely on this as a permanent fix, after you are financially ready, make sure to renovate.
Related questions
How to get rid of mold on walls?
For this you can use a homemade solution. Use 1 qt/l water with and a half a cup of bleach. There is a bleach specifically made for killing mold, this isn’t necessary though. Scrub the walls with a soft brush and the solution. You will notice that the mold is coming off. After that, make sure to dehumidify and be on the lookout for other signs of mold.
My roof is leaking but I have insurance, what should I do?
First, you need to make sure that you have the right information. Most insurances cover a leaking roof, depending on what kind of a deal you got. Most insurance companies offer different kinds of packages. If your roof is covered by insurance, lucky you. Make sure to prevent further damages with a bucket, and call the company. They will either offer repairs or cash money. Either way, make sure to collect, that’s what insurance is for. You may have to provide some kind of proof that you didn’t cause this damage yourself.
How much does a professional charge for leak repairs?
It depends on how good the professional is and how much damage is done to your roof. Some use products with better quality, so they include that in the fee. The price can range from 300$-1000$. This goes for damages that even you can fix. If your roof is in pretty bad shape, it will cost a lot more. Also, consider the repairs that need to be done to the walls of the house.
