How to Stop a Roof Leak

The sooner you fix a roof leak, the less chance of major damage.

Tackle a leaking roof as soon as you notice a telltale water stain or dripping water, and you'll prevent greater damage to key structural members and other parts of the house. The nasty little secret about any roof leak is that water travels through a process called “wicking,” and its journey can take if far from the location of the actual leak in the roof. That means that finding the leak can often be the most challenging part of stopping it, but a little detective work will lead you right to the problem.

Things You'll Need

• Trouble light
• Measuring tape
• Awl
• Flat pry bar
• Roofing cement
• Asphalt shingle
• Hammer
• 7/8-inch roofing nails
• Wood shingle
• Wood chisel
• Hacksaw blade
• 2-inch galvanized roofing nails
• Wood wedge shims
• Clay roof tiles

Instructions

Detection

1. 

   Your first step to finding the leak's source could be a trip to the attic.

   Check your attic, starting above where the leak appears in the ceiling. Use a bright trouble light as necessary to trace the path of the water to the point of origin. If your attic is finished, this may involve removing sections of drywall. In any case, the process is best done while the leak is active, such as on a rainy day.

2. Inspect the roof framing and surfaces around the leak, including along its path. Probe the wood with an awl to reveal any compromised framing in which the wood has rotted. Check for mold or mildew. Any collateral damage will need to be repaired after you’ve taken care of the leak.

3. Measure from the exact point of the leak to a reference point such as a chimney column or a roof vent. Use this measurement to determine the exact location of the leak on the surface of the roof.

Quick Fixes

1. Spread roofing cement over small holes or cracks in asphalt roof shingles, or where the underlying felt has been damaged. Securely bed the shingle in the cement.

2. 

   Get the clutter cleaned up before applying roofing cement.

   Clean out debris from beneath warped or misshapen asphalt shingles and spread roofing cement under the shingle. Press it down with a weight so that it firmly beds in the cement until the adhesive dries.

3. Coat loose flashing seams with roofing cement to eliminate entry points for water.

Replace Asphalt Shingles

1. Remove the damaged shingle. Pull it out slowly and firmly, being careful not to damage adjacent, intact shingles.

2. Pry up all the nails that held down the damaged shingle with a flat pry bar.

3. Cut the new shingle as necessary to fit the space. Lay a bead of roofing cement on the underside of the new shingle, along the top edge. Slide the shingle into position under the lip of the shingle above it.

4. 

   Use 7/8-inch roofing nails for traditional shingles.

   Nail the new shingle in place with 7/8-inch roofing nails driven in just above the tab slots.

Replace Wood Shingles

1. Split the damaged shingles with a hammer and wood chisel. Pull out the pieces.

2. Slide a hacksaw blade under the shingles directly above the damaged shingles and saw through the nails.

3. Cut a new wood shingle or shingles to size. Coat the underside with roofing cement, and slide the shingle into position.

4. 

   Wood shingles will require 2-inch galvanized roofing nails.

   Nail the new shingle in place with 2-inch galvanized roofing nails and coat the nail heads with roofing cement.

Replace Clay Tiles

1. 

   To remove the damaged tile, you'll need to create a little wiggle room in the row above it.

   Wedge shims under the tiles in the row immediately above the damaged tile, and use a pry bar to remove the nails holding the clip for the damaged tile.

2. Break up the damaged tile with a hammer and remove the broken pieces.

3. Nail the tile clip to the roof at the top end, and slip the replacement tile under the bottom hook. Remove the wedge shims.

Tips & Warnings

• When you have to replace a section of tiles requiring an extended amount of time on the roof and movement across the surface, rent a roof ladder that hangs from the ridge. This will not only ensure your safety, but will also prevent further damage to the roof’s surface.

• Working on a roof, especially one that may be wet, can be dangerous. Whenever you need to make a repair on the surface of roof, use a fall-arrest harness or a safety leash tethered to a secure feature such as the chimney column.

References

• "Popular Mechanics Complete Home How-To"; Albert Jackson and David Day

Resources

• "Smart Guide: Roofing: Step-by-Step Projects"; Editors of Creative Homeowner