A roof leak not only leads to property damage, it’s also an embarrassment when you have guests in the house. If your roof leaks during heavy rain you must wonder, how do I stop my roof leaking in heavy rain?
According to roof repair services providers, there are plenty of ways you can do it depending on the cause of the leak.
Stopping skylight leaks
During installation, every skylight creates a hole in a uniform roof surface, and regardless of how well the skylight was installed, there is the risk of experiencing a leak during heavy rains.
If the leak in your house is brought about by a skylight, stop it by applying a flexible roof sealant from a can or tube to the gaps, holes, and loose shingles.
You also should apply 100% silicone caulking to the skylight window to fix any leaks between the window and the frame.
Another alternative is to replace the shingles and flashing around the skylight creating a watertight barrier.
Fixing chimney leaks
Chimney leaks happen for many reasons. It could be because the chimney cover is damaged or working improperly. The crown might also be cracked or leaking. You also might be having gaps or cracks in the chimney veneer or mortar.
If you are experiencing chimney leaks around the outside of the chimney and the water is leaking down into the walls, you might be having worn out flashing or sealant.
To fix this issue, install a new chimney cap that will keep the water from entering the top of the chimney.
To redirect water away from the valley formed by steep slopes and away from the chimney, install a chimney cricket.
Finally, consider applying flexible roof sealant from a tube or can to seal gaps, holes, flashing, and loose shingles around the chimney.
Stopping leaks because of damaged shingles
Telltale signs you are having a leak because of damaged shingles is water spots on the ceiling after rain. To stop a leak due to damaged shingles, begin with removing debris from the roof surface and inspect the roof and confirm whether you have shingle damage.
Follow up by applying flexible roof sealant from a tube or can to the exposed holes, nail heads, gaps, and loose shingles.
You also should consider replacing missing or damaged shingles if the damage is in a small area. If the damage is in a large area, consult a qualified roofer, and replace the roof.
Sealing vent pipe leaks
You will have vent pipe leaks during heavy rains if you have cracks in your flashing or vent pipe boot. You can stop these leaks by applying flexible roof sealant from a tube or can and seal flashing, gaps, holes, or loose shingles around the vent pipe.
You should also think about overlaying the old vent pipe boot with a new vent pipe boot, seal, and caulk.
Finally, replace worn out vent pipe flashing, shingles, and boot around the vent pipe to provide a long-lasting fix.
Stopping roof valley leaks
The roof valleys are the locations where the two roof planes intersect forming a “V” shape that runs down the roof slope. Valleys are often problematic as they carry a lot of water during heavy rain.
During winter, the valleys carry snow which makes them prone to ice dams which often causes bigger problems.
If having leaks along the valleys, remove debris to ensure the roof valleys are clear. If the damage is extensive, work with experienced roofers and re-shingle the valleys, and place a high-quality ice and water shield in place.
