How Do You Seal a Leaking Roof?

If you find yourself in an emergency situation and need to take action to seal your leaking roof in Austin, you have some options to at least temporarily repair the damage until you can have a professional inspect the roof. Here are a few things you can do.

Search for the Leak

The first step is to identify where the leak is coming from. Sometimes it’s obvious. Many times, however, it is not. If you discover evidence of a leak – either in the form of a full-out drip or another tell-tale sign such as a discolored ceiling – it’s time to go searching for the source. 

One of the first places you can check is the attic. If you see water stains or mold, you know where to narrow down your search.

Now it’s time to go outside. Evaluate your roof and pay particular attention to any missing shingles or those that are curled or cracked. The caulking or flashing may also be damaged. Frequently, the most vulnerable locations for roof leaks are found near projections or penetrations such as vents, dormers or anything else that projects through the roof. 

If the leak is particularly difficult to detect, you can try soaking the probable area with a garden hose while a second person is inside the house or attic waiting for the drip to appear. Or, better yet – contact a roofer that can do a thermal reading of the area (you can contact us for a free consultation here). 

Seal the Leak

Once you find the leak, sealing it may be relatively easy depending on the extent of the damage and its location. If it’s an issue with the shingles, replace or secure them as needed by applying an asphalt roofing cement. If the metal flashing around any of the roof penetrations are damaged, you will need to reseal the joints with a roofing cement.

Applying roofing cement to smaller leaks should work fairly well, at least temporarily. For larger leaks or more severe damage, you may need to try one of these other methods to stop the roof leak. 

Regardless of the damage, if you notice a roof leak in your Austin home, you should contact us at Storm Guard of SW Austin right away to schedule a roof evaluation. We will ensure that the damaged roof is repaired completely and correctly so you stay high and dry when the next rain falls.