Home and Living

There are limitations to a DIY project for roofing for the average homeowner and the best thing to be done is to check out the attic area/s on a monthly basis to figure out any potential water problems or possibility of wind-damage that can be caused to the structural roof. Most reported cases for problem roofing deal with complaints of roof leaks, which generally occur around chimneys and other objects which go through the roof; eves and valleys are considered equally responsible for leaks.

Chimney leaks and repair measures for DIY roofing

There are usually some common telltale signs of a leak even when dry, including water spots on the floor, drips, runs or discoloration down the sides of the chimney or rotten wood surrounding the chimney. Calling roofing professional to check the flashing around the chimney on the roof is the best option as flashing a chimney is very tricky, requiring not only roofing skills but also masonry skills too.

Locating and mending leaks for a DIY roofing project

This can be tricky to locate if there’s insulation in the way. Check the outside of the house and look on the overhangs close to where the leak is to see that the gutters are intact. If the gutters look all right, then it may be possible that they are clogged, allowing ice to build up and back up under the roof shingles. For leaks occurring around a valley area, check for debris build- up there, which may be allowing water to drain or causing ice to jam up. If the problem is not apparent in these areas, then the attic can be explored, as water always travels in downward. Starting at the highest point on the roof, check all rafters for signs of water running down them- evident by discoloration in a line down the board ending in a discolored puddle area on the floor. If nothing shows up, it may be possible that a lack of insulation on the floor of the attic is responsible for causing snow on the roof to melt, run down and refreeze on the overhangs backing up into the house.