Roof Leak Repair Treatments for Various Types of Leaks

No homeowner wants to have to deal with a leaking roof. Nevertheless, it is vital that the necessary roof leak repair is carried out as quickly as possible. Otherwise, you could end up with some serious structural problems which could in turn cost you a great deal of money. For this reason, it is imperative that you act immediately at the first sign of a leak as this will enable you to prevent it from getting any worse. 

Solving Different Types of Roof Leaks

The roof leak repair will usually depend on the type of leak that has occurred. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most common types of roof leaks and how to repair them. 

1. Damaged pipe flashing

One common cause of a leaking roof is damaged flashing around a pipe. The main role of pipe flashing is to prevent water from running down the pipe, through the roof and into your property. Although the flashing should give good protection for around ten years, varying factors can cause it to crack, which will inevitably shorten its lifespan. 

Leaks caused by damaged pipe flashing can occur wherever a pipe is installed on your roof. To resolve this type of problem, the majority of professional roofers will place a rubber collar over the top of the damaged flashing. This will help seal the leak and ensure that the flashing will protect the roof for another 10 to 15 years. 

2. Loose or poorly driven nails

If a nail was not driven in far enough when the roof was installed, its head could work its way back up through the tile. The same problem can occur if a nail was driven in sideways. As a result, rainwater could leak into your property.

To repair leaks caused by poorly driven nails, roofers will have to break the seal on your roof tiles and lift them to pull the nail/s out. Then, they will drive the nails in correctly and apply sealant over them to prevent them from sticking out and causing any further leaks.

Remember, if you want to avoid this problem, it is imperative that you only hire professional roofers – such as our team at Kingsley Roofing Services – who have an excellent track record of installing roofs to a high standard. 

3. Leaking chimney

There are several factors that can cause water to leak through your chimney, including:

• The flashing under the tiles surrounding the chimney gets damaged.
• If your chimney is made of bricks, the mortar joints could become cracked, causing it to be saturated with water during periods of heavy rain.
• If your chimney top is cracked and damaged, water could leak through.
• If you have a metal chimney top, it could be old and rusty, or the fasteners that secure it could become loose. 

If water is coming through the chimney, the type of roof leak repair needed will mainly depend on the root cause of the problem. For instance, for leaks that are due to damaged flashing, the roofer will re-flash the area around the chimney. Meanwhile, if the chimney has cracked mortar joints, they will probably apply some sealant or water repellent.

4. Broken tiles

High winds and heavy rain can damage roof tiles, which will often lead to a leaking roof. Fortunately, this problem is easy to identify so it can be resolved before it gets any worse. By conducting a simple roof inspection, you will be able to spot any missing or broken tiles and as a result work out where the leaks could potentially appear. 

The quickest way to fix this problem is to replace the broken or missing tiles. Although it is possible to replace the tiles yourself, hiring a professional roofing company will protect your safety and help ensure that you obtain high-quality results. 

5. Clogged gutters

Gutters are designed to help rainwater travel away from the roof. However, if they become clogged, this will impede the flow of water and cause it to pool in one area of the roof. This in turn will increase the risk of water seeping through any cracks and into your home.

A quick inspection will help you determine whether you have any clogged gutters. For example, you may be able to see leaves and other debris sticking out of the gutter. Alternatively, you might notice that not much water comes out of a downspout during a rainstorm. 

Keeping your gutters clear is a simple yet effective way of preventing leaks. You may wish to consider installing gutter covers to prevent leaves and other debris from clogging up the drainage system. Most importantly, you should have your roof maintained professionally to ensure it is always in excellent condition and to prevent any unwanted roof leak repairs.

Put an End to Your Leaking Roof

If not addressed immediately, a leaking roof can lead to a variety of severe structural issues. It is imperative that you act quickly in order to prevent extensive damage to your property that could potentially be very expensive. 

At Kingsley Roofing Services, our extremely reliable roof repair services will help protect the safety and integrity of your property. No matter how simple or complex your problem, we will be able to provide the solution you need. Please contact us today to discuss your requirements!