Many homeowners are familiar with the feeling of stumbling on an unexpected puddle of water inside the house that clearly seeped in from the roof or noticing the wet stains on the wall indicative of a leaky roof. So if you are looking for roof repairs Livonia, MI., you should know the tactics for fixing leaky roofs from inside the house. Read on to find out.
Tactics for fixing leaky roofs from inside the house
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Locate the exact source and cause of the leakage
This is an essential step in deciding what method is best to fix the problem. Is the leakage from a hole in the shingles? Perhaps there are broken or badly placed tiles responsible for the problem. You may have to go into the crawl space to find it. Use a torchlight and search for any damp areas or mold as these are easy to spot signs of a leak. Once the source of the leakage is found, check to see if it is somewhere easily accessible without causing any additional damage to any roof structure. If this is the case, you can proceed with the next step. Don’t forget to mark the spot with chalk for easy identification.
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Finding the right tools/materials
You will need the tools required to repair a leaking roof, such as a ladder, a bucket, a flashlight to see in the dark areas, rubber or latex gloves to protect your hands, nails, scrapper, caulking, some tar (a roof patch) as well as a knife. It is important to get all the materials you will need within easy reach. Do not start any work on the roof until you have assembled every item needed for the repair. To avoid staining the floors, you may consider placing a protective plastic covering.
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Draining the water
The next step is to drain and divert any pooled water in the roof. Be careful with this as a wet roof can be weak in unexpected places. Place a bucket under where the roof is leaking to catch the water. If needed, you may have to stick a sharp object to make a bigger hole for the water to drain faster. Ensure that the water is properly drained before proceeding to the next step. The roof must be properly cured. Only when the roof is completely dry can any repairs hold. This is an essential tactic for fixing leaky roofs. However, remember to invite professional roof repairs Livonia, Michigan for a thorough inspection of your roof.
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Patching the area
Ensure that the area is dry before patching the area. Be generous with the roof patch and cover the entire surface. Use the scraper to spread it evenly. When the roof patch has properly dried up, proceed to caulk the edges and any holes that have appeared. You can spread the caulking about with your finger to make sure it covers the entire surface.
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Call a professional
Although effective, you should not forget that the steps above are temporary solutions. The best recommendation for a permanent fix is to get a professional to inspect the roof and do the needed repairs. They may need to replace some parts of the roof.
Conclusion
When it comes to roof repairs Livonia, Michigan, the tactics for fixing leaky roofs are best handled by professional roofers. The professional should be called in to assess the situation and proffer a more permanent solution.