There are few things more frustrating or inconvenient than a leaking roof. Roof leaks can happen for any number of reasons and often lead to issues and damage to other parts of your home. While roofing contractors are more than capable of fixing a leaking roof, there’s a good chance that they won’t be able to make the fix as quickly as you’d prefer. Additionally, not everyone can afford to hire a roofing contractor if the repair isn’t covered by home insurance.

Therefore, if you want to know how to fix your leaking roof on your own, you’ve come to the right place. This article will give you all the DIY tips and tricks you need about how to fix a leaking roof. Whether you’re looking for a temporary fix until your roofer arrives or a permanent repair, we have all the information you need. 

Find the Leak 

The good news about fixing a roof leak is that you don’t have to be a roofing professional to get the job done. In fact, you don’t even have to be overly handy or have construction experience to fix a simple roof leak. The bad news, however, is that fixing a roof leak may take some time and might require you to purchase special tools depending on the leak. 

Before you can get to the actual repair process, you’ll first have to locate the source of the leak. This can be tricky because most people don’t know their roof is leaking until there’s visible damage inside their home. By that time, it’s likely that you’ve had a leak for quite a while, and water from the leak has had enough time to travel through your attic and onto your ceiling. 

If you suspect that your water damage is stemming from a leaking roof, here’s how to locate the source of the leak, which is easier said than done. 

1. First, climb into your attic and inspect the bottom of the roof above where the water stain appeared on your ceiling. 

2. It’s possible that you’ll see water dripping through the roof, especially if it’s raining outside. 

3. Some leaks, however, are too small to see right away. In these instances, you might need to have a second person on the roof with a water hose spraying water directly onto the roof. With enough water concentration, you might be able to see where water is entering the roof. 

4. If there’s a layer of insulation on the bottom of your roof, you’ll need to move the insulation aside to locate the leak. As you’re doing so, check each piece of insulation for sogginess and moisture. 

5. Eventually, with enough spraying, you should be able to locate the source of the leak. 

How to Fix a Leaking Roof ASAP 

Once you locate the leak, you’re ready to start making your repair. The first thing you’ll need to decide is whether you want to make a quick fix or a time-consuming one. In most instances, quick fixes are temporary or don’t use the same methods that a professional would use. Time-consuming fixes, while being more thorough and professional than quick fixes, are usually more difficult and take much longer. 

If your roof leak is because of one or several tiny holes, you can repair the damage with caulk or sealant tape. However, while these methods might get the job done, simply slapping caulk or tape over a hole might not permanently fix the problem. There’s also a chance that caulk or sealant tape could result in problems elsewhere. 

Replace the Shingles For a Permanent Fix 

If you have an asphalt shingle roof and want to permanently fix your leaking roof, here’s what you need to do. 

1. Use a prybar or putty knife to remove the defective shingles. 

2. You may also need to remove old caulk or nails that are holding the shingles in place. 

3. If the leak has been going on for too long and your underlayment or roof base is rotted, you’ll need to replace the defective areas to keep the problem from recurring. 

4. With the underlayment and base repaired, you can install new shingles in place of the old ones. 

5. Follow the same pattern as that of the rest of your shingles, and make sure to slide the tops of the new shingles beneath the bottoms of the existing ones. 

6. Use nails to hold the shingles in place, but make sure that the bottoms of the upper shingles always overlap the nail holes. 

This method is the best option when your leaking roof is the result of old or missing shingles. 

If you have one or more small holes in a tight area, another option is to use flashing to fix the problem. To do this, simply lift the bottom of the defective shingle and slide a piece of flashing under the damaged shingle to cover the holes, and use caulk to hold the flashing in place. 

How to Fix a Leaking Metal Roof 

If you have a metal roof that’s leaking, the process is slightly more complicated. Unless you can stop the leak with caulk or sealant tape, have previous roofing experience, or are a bit of a handyman, we don’t recommend attempting this repair on your own. If you do and you don’t know what you’re doing, there’s a good chance you could make the problem even worse. Contact us if you have a leaking metal roof that’s outside of your handyman capabilities. 

How to Fix a Leaking Roof Around a Vent

Aside from holes in the roof itself, vents and flashing are other common culprits for roof leaks. In most cases, you can repair the leak either by applying a small layer of caulk or by replacing the flashing around the vent. In some cases, it’s also possible that the screws securing the flashing to the roof need to get replaced. Either way, fixing a roof leak that stems from issues with your vents or flashing isn’t too difficult. 

Who to Contact For Fast, Affordable Roof Repairs 

Depending on the scope or nature of your roof leak, it might be too big of a job for you to handle. Some roof leaks require special tools and materials that not everyone has access to. It’s also possible that you simply don’t want to take the time to fix a roof leak. If this is the case, contact us at KangaRoof. We offer same-day repairs and emergency service calls and can repair any type of roof leak known to man.