If you have an unfinished attic, examine the underside of your roof with a flashlight on a rainy. If you find wetness , discoloration, or other signs of moisture , trace the trail up to where the water is making its entrance .
Water that flows toward a wall can temporarily diverted to minimize damage . Nail small block of wood in the path of the water , and place a bucket underneath catch the drip . On a dry day , drive a nail through the underside of the roof decking to mark the hole.
If the leak us finding its way to a finished ceiling , take steps to minimize damage until the leak can be repaired . As soon as possible, reduce the accumulation of water behind a ceiling by poking a small hole in the wallboard or plaster and draining the water.
Once you mark the source if a leak from inside , measure from that spot a point that will be visible and identifiable from outside the house , such as a chimney , vent pipe , or the peak of the roof . Get up on the roof and use that measurement to locate the leak.
If your roof is severely damaged , the primary goal is to prevent additional damage until permanent repairs are made . Nail a sheet of plywood to the roof to serve as emergency cover to keep out the wind and water . Tip: For temporarily repairs, use doubled-headed nails , which cane easily removed . Fill nail holes with roofing cement when the repair is complete.
Cover the damaged area by nailing strips of lath around the edges of a plastic sheet or tarp.
To reattach a loose shingle , wipe down the felt paper which is the first layer above ply wood.Let each dry, then apply a liberal coat of roofing cement . Press the shingle down to seat it in the bed of cement . Tip: Heat softens the roof’s surface , and cold makes it brittle slightly with hair dryer to make them easier to work with and less likely to crack.
Glue down buckled shingles by cleaning below the buckled area, filling the area with roofing cement , then pressing the shingle into the cement . Patch cracks and splits in shingles with roofing cement.
Check the joints which are common places for the leaks to occur . Seal any gaps by cleaning out and replacing any failed roofing cement.
Areas that typically leak vent stack, ridge which is the top of the roof, drip edge , soffit , and cracks real close up adjacent the roof. Roof damage can tend asphalt 30 years, metal roof 50 years and cedar shake if properly and maintain just like slate roof hundreds years .
Other real important things ice guard shield properly lets the material of the roof contracts makes it last longer time.