How to Troubleshoot Roof Problems and Repairs

Roof repairs can be the most difficult and dangerous repairs to make on any home. One of the most important parts about troubleshooting roof problems is that you find the actual origin of the problem and address it. The fact that water is leaking through your living room ceiling does not mean that the leak is necessarily starting over the living room. There are some different tips you can follow that will help you to troubleshoot your roof issues accurately and make the proper repairs.

Before You Climb on the Roof

One of the more natural reactions to a leaky roof is to climb up on the roof and try to find out where the problem is coming from. The problem with that approach is that the flow of water can be tricky to determine by looking down at the surface of your roof. This can be especially true with the many channels and grooves that shingles create on a roof's surface. When you see water leaking through to your ceiling, your first reaction should be to get to the attic and check out the roof decking from underneath.

When you are under the roof decking, it is an excellent opportunity to see where the water is entering the house and follow its path down to the ceiling. Once you find the origin of the leak in the attic, you can temporarily plug it and wait for the rain to stop before you head out to look at the surface of the roof. This makes the repairs safer and easier.

Roof Slope

The slope of a roof is the angle of your roof sides. When you are doing a roof restoration project, one of the common steps is to get up on the roof deck and remove the old shingles. The slope of the roof makes this project much more dangerous. The slope of the roof also makes it dangerous to examine when you are looking for a leak.

If your roof has a sharp slope to it, then you will need special equipment and training to safely examine your roof and make the repairs. If you do not have the training and the equipment, then you need to call a professional. Find a professional roofer that can identify the problem for you and give you a repair estimate. You are taking an unnecessary risk by climbing on to a roof with a prominent slope.

- Gutters

One of the more frustrating things about roof repairs is search for the origin of the leak and not finding it. Even when you have daylight and are looking at the roof deck, you may still not see the leak that is causing it to rain in your kitchen. That could be because the leak is not in your roof. Your leak may be the result of some other issue.

The reason that contractors recommend cleaning your gutters every year is to allow the gutters to safely transport the rainwater away from your home. When your gutter downspouts are clogged, then the water will start to collect in your gutters and this water can start to get under your roofing material to cause leaks. If you are having a hard time finding the exact origins of your roof leak, then you may want to see if your gutters are overflowing with water.

A leaky roof can be frustrating. But if you take the time to perform the right troubleshooting procedures, then you should be able to find and solve your problem. If you cannot find the source of the leak, then do not hesitate to contact a professional roofer.