Prevent leaky roofs

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Leaky roofs can be a nightmare for any house owner. They can cause serious damage to your home. They should be handled immediately, but the best solution is to prevent them from happening.

Roof check

Check the areas that are most likely prone to leaks: chimneys, plumbing vent flashing, ice dams, skylights, furnace shingles, missing shingles. Wait for a rainy day to identify the problems.

If the leak has reached the interior of your home, then you should identify the problem quicker. Start the checkup from the attic. Follow the leak stains.

Emergency repairs

Immediately as you see that your roof is leaking, use a plastic sheeting and cover the leak area on the roof. Staple the sheet. The sheets needs to start from the eaves and continue down to the gutters.

Temporary repairs

After you have discovered the source of the leak, then you should at least try a temporary repair. Use tar, flashings and nails. But this cannot be a definitive repair. Try and repair the leak as soon as possible.

Shingle repairs

If you have a shingled roof, and you have a leak, then you should feel relived, as repairing a shingle leak is very easy. You will just need to replace the damage shingle. Remove the layer or shingles above the damaged ones and then replace them.

Collars and flashings

Another cause for roof leaks are pipes, and these involve the collars and flashings. These will need immediate replacement. Check it the wood beneath the flashing is wet and soft. If it is, then it will need to be replaced, otherwise it will cause even more problems. In time the wood will become unstable.