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How To Fix a Leaky Roof and Why It’s So Important To Fix It Quickly…

Jul 11, 2023

As a homeowner, there are lots of maintenance tasks to take care of regularly. Today we will consider a roof leak. To care for your roof, you need to thoroughly inspect your shingles, treat for moss and algae, maintain the gutters, trim branches hanging near the roof, and caulk around the flashing. There is never a shortage of chores. Read on to find a few causes of a leaky roof and the consequences if ignored.

What Happens If You Ignore A Leaky Roof?

Ignoring roof leaks can result in mold and mildew growth, which can spread around your home. Mold and mildew can grow on your walls, ceilings, furniture, and clothing. If you do not deal with a leaking roof immediately, black mold might develop. A water spot on your ceiling may be the first sign that you have a leaky roof. Water in your attic can cause real damage to your insulation and when the water seeps and leaks into the wood it can result in dry rot. Other leaks can cause electrical damage and a potential for a fire. Water coming into your house can damage the drywall, flooring, and household belongings. Do not ignore a leak no matter how small.

How To Fix That Leaky Roof

Using that ceiling spot as a starting point, access your attic and head to the approximate location where you saw the stain.


Access the attic: Remember the leak may be several feet away from the source of the stain you saw on your ceiling, which makes it harder to find the source. If the source of the leak is not visible, get your garden hose and use the hose to mimic heavy rains. You will need one person in the attic, and another person to bring the hose onto the roof. If the person in the attic does not see a leak the person with the hose will need to move to the right and left to see if the location of the leak can be uncovered. When the location of the leak is finally discovered, the person with the hose needs to mark the location. All of this can be a long process. Try not to lose patience.

You’ve checked your shakes or shingles and looked for pooled water, yet your roof is still leaking. It might be time to inspect other areas on your roof that often cause leaks.


Cracked roof vents: Roof vents with cracks or broken seams can be entry points for water to leak into your home and should be replaced. Pull back any shingles covering the edges of the vent and pry out the nails securing the vent.

Chimney leaks: Chimney roof leaks are usually caused by gaps or cracks between the metal flashing used to join the chimney to the roof and the chimney. Inspect the flashing for gaps or cracks. If there are any gaps or cracks, apply roof cement to them. Attach loose flashing securely to the chimney with masonry nails.

Roof valleys: A roof valley is formed where two roof slopes meet. Water collects in a valley to flow off the roof. Your choice of valley installation method is critical because, when improperly installed, valleys are at risk for serious leaks. Inspect the valley for holes all along the joint. You can patch small holes with the same type of sheet metal the valley is made of. Most valleys use either aluminum or copper. Using different metals to patch valleys will cause corrosion.

Out of all the costs that you could incur as a homeowner, home maintenance is one of the largest and most unpredictable ones. When it comes to roofing, the costs can skyrocket if you fail to keep up with maintenance properly. The best way to avoid pricey roof maintenance costs is by doing an annual inspection. While most modern roofing materials should last you about 10 years or more, you could never predict what kind of roofing damage might be sustained after bad weather or any other disasters. If you’re not a professional roofing contractor, then the annual inspection is something that you definitely should leave to the pros.

Contact us (513-563-7663) for a Free Consultation!

About Integrity First Roofing

Integrity 1st Roofing provides quality roofing, gutter, and insulation services throughout the Greater Cincinnati, Ohio Area. We are GAF Master Elite contractors and are the recipients of a President’s Club Award, which means that you can be confident in the quality of our work. By choosing us, you’ll be able to be sure that the job is done right. Your roof is a vital part of your property that is designed to protect you from the elements, keep out debris and pests, and help with insulation. Make sure that it’s installed properly by reaching out to a pro like… Integrity 1st Roofing!

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