Leaky Roof: From Diagnosis to Repair

It’s been an unseasonably warm year, but New Jersey homeowners will still surely see a rash of wind, rain and snow this autumn. And while roof leaks may not be visible the moment they begin, it’s important to know what to look for this fall—so you can avoid a costly nightmare of drywall damage and wood rot.

Three Signs of Roof Leaks

1. The most blatant sign of a leaky roof is the appearance of water drips or stains on interior walls or ceilings. Unfortunately, the leak may not be directly adjacent to visible water streaks, since water can travel along pipes, rafters or vents before noticeably damaging your home. Because of this, it may be necessary to contact your local NJ roofing contractor to determine the specific leak location.
2. During your fall roof inspection, you may notice curled, deteriorating shingles. If a large portion of the shingle field is damaged, water may have seeped between the shingles and permeated your roof’s underlay. Carefully pry up affected shingles and look closely for signs of leaks—which include moisture buildup, mold or mildew growth on shingles or underlying wood. You may be able to replace the offending shingles, but large sections of damage are a sign that it’s time for a new roof.
3. A noticeable buildup of mold or mildew in roof valleys or around vents and skylights probably means water is penetrating the areas it shouldn’t be. These roof leaks may occur because water has begun to seep in through loose bricks or mortar, or because the flashing designed to protect adjoining roof portions has come loose or has begun to pull away. Even the smallest crack can lead to a massive buildup of water, which could eventually ruin your home’s interior if left unaddressed.

DIY Roofing Repair Measures You Can Take

Once you’ve found evidence of a leaky roof, there are a few steps you can take before hiring a roofing professional to assist you with the repair:

• First, relocate all valuables, including electronics, which reside below the leaky area.
• Next, do a cursory check of your home’s gutters. Stopping a leak may be as simple as cleaning out debris that’s been damming up a gutter or downspout. If your gutters need to be cleaned, remove debris with heavy-duty gloves and then flush them with a high-pressure hose.
• If the roof appears to be leaking due to a flashing gap or nail hole, you may be able to apply a small amount of neoprene rubber flashing cement to the damaged area. After allowing roofing cement to cure for 24 to 48 hours during dry weather, check to ensure that the leaky area is properly sealed. Rubber flashing cement is designed to remain flexible and watertight for many years, making it an ideal, cost-effective solution for small repair areas.
• If the cause of your roof leak is a missing shingle or damaged shingle section, it’s fairly simple to replace them.

Call Your Local Roofing Repair Contractor

If there is already water damage to the underlayment, it’s important to call a roofing repair professional to properly repair the roof’s structure before replacing exterior roofing materials.

If repairing your leaky roof seems overwhelming, contact LGC Roofing for a repair estimate. Our team of experts uses high-quality building materials to service metal, composite shingle, slate and wood roofing, and our workmanship is guaranteed. Call today to schedule a roofing repair consultation or find out which replacement roofing material is best for your home’s architectural look.

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1. 4 Steps to Diagnosing a Leaky Metal Roof
2. Fighting a Leaky Roof? You May Need Flashing Repairs!
3. 4 Steps to Diagnosing and Repairing Your Leaky Skylight
4. Avoiding Leaky Gutters: Fall Maintenance Tips
5. New Jersey Shingle Roof Repair in 5 Easy Steps