Contents
Types of Home Water Problems
How to Prevent and Fix Roof Leaks
How to Prevent and Fix Gutter Leaks
How to Fix Window and Door Leaks
How to Avoid Basement
Water Problems
How to Avoid Moisture-Related Paint Problems
How to Fix a Leaky Toilet
How to Fix Leaky Water Pipes
How to Fix a Leaky Bath Faucet
How to Fix a Leaky Kitchen Faucet
How to Fix a Leaky Kitchen Sink Sprayer Hose
How to Fix a Leaky Bathtub Faucet or Shower Head
How to Prevent and Eliminate
Mold Problems
How to Fix Water Well and
Septic System Problems
Learn more with these titles from Barnes & Noble
|
 |
 |
 |
|
How to Prevent and Fix Roof Leaks
Common residential roofing materials include basic asphalt shingles, concrete tiles, wood shakes, and standing-seam metal panels. Materials vary significantly in cost and durability, but they do have one thing in common: they all can leak. When your roof springs a leak, it can be frustratingly difficult to find the source.
Ice Dams
One preventable source of roof leaks is ice dams, which form in gutters due to poor drainage or heavy, wet snow that fills the gutters and quickly freezes. An ice dam prevents the gutter from draining. The problems start when heat passing through the roof melts the snow, and the water from this snow drains down to the gutter, hits the dam, and backs up under the roof shingles. It then drips into the attic space and ultimately damages the ceiling below. The best way to prevent ice dams is to keep gutters clean and add insulation to your attic to keep the roof cooler.
Roofing Failure
Another, less preventable source of roof leaks is roofing failure—that is, the structural failure of roofing materials. To make repairs in the most common roofing material—asphalt shingles—use the following approach:
- Go into the attic space during a rainstorm and inspect all the rafters or trusses with a flashlight. Look for damp or wet areas and mark them with a black felt marker.
- When the rain stops, look for any holes in the roof next to the leaking areas you marked. If you see sunlight coming through, you’ve found a hole. Push a small nail through each hole to mark these spots.
- Go onto the top of the roof and find your projecting nails. Push the nails back through the sheathing and fill the holes with plastic roof cement. Use cement that’s packaged in a caulk tube for easy application.
- If you see leaks around flashing for chimneys, plumbing pipes, or roof vents, fill these holes with plastic roof cement. Chip out the old sealant first with a hammer and cold chisel, and brush away any dust.
| Acknowledgments & Disclaimer |
Tags
No one has tagged this page yet... Be the first.. Log in using the link below and return to add your tag
