How to Patch a Leak in a Roof

If not properly patched, a roof leak can quickly grow and cause extensive damage to the structure of your home. A leak can also cause damage to your home's interior. A roof leak can be patched very inexpensively, as long as you take care of it right away. Often the biggest challenge is locating the source of the leak.

Things You'll Need

• Replacement shingles
• Metal flashing
• Roof liner
• Roofing cement/silicon
• Hammer
• Roofing nails
• Putty knife
• Crow bar
• Staple gun
• Hack saw

Instructions

1. Inspect the area of the roof where the leak seems to be. Look for areas that are sagging and where there is standing water or debris. Look for missing or damaged shingles or flashing. Leaks often occur around flashing, where the roof meets another wall or around the chimney.

2. Clean off any standing water or debris.

3. Remove and replace any damaged or missing shingles. Remove asphalt shingles by lifting up the bottom of the shingle above the damaged shingles and prying out the nails that hold the damaged shingles in place with a crow bar. Slide in a replacement and nail it in place with roofing nails. Remove a wood shingle by breaking it up with your hammer and pulling out the chunks. Cut the nails with a hacksaw and fit in a new shingle. Secure it with a nail and cover the nail head with roofing cement.

4. Inspect the roof liner underneath the shingles. If it is damaged, cut away the damaged area and staple on a new piece. Attach new roof liner so that it tucks under the original roof liner above it and overlaps the original roof liner below it.

5. Tighten any flashing that has come loose. Secure the seams with nails. Replace any broken or damaged sections of flashing by removing the surrounding shingles, prying out the nails, pulling out the flashing and nailing on a new piece. If the flashing is connected to a brick chimney or wall, make sure the flashing has a bent lip that fits at least one-inch into the mortar joint. Re-apply any deteriorating roofing tar, silicone or rubber sealants.

6. Look for areas that are bubbling up if the leak is occurring on a flat section of roof. Slice the bubble with a utility knife to relax it. Be careful to not cut the roof liner underneath. Force some roofing cement into the cut with a putty knife. Nail down both sides of the cut. Nail on an asphalt shingle patch. Cover the patch with roofing cement.

References

• askthebuilder.com: * Asphalt - Blacktop * Chimneys * Concrete Defects * Concrete Installation * Deck Construction * Deck Maintenance * Drainage * Fences * Garage Doors * Hurricanes * Insects * Lots * Outdoor Projects * Patio * Retaining Walls * Roofing * Screened Porches * Sheds * Siding * Stone * Stucco - EIFS Roof Leak - Ten Most Common Leak Locations
• myuniverse.us: How to Repair a Leaky Roof
• hometips.com: Roof Leaks: Troubleshooting & Repairs