How to Repair a Leaky Roof From Inside the House
Roof leaks are confusing to diagnose. Various conditions can cause roof leaks and the origination point may be difficult to detect. Roof leaks must be repaired from the outside to ensure the problem is corrected.
However, when it is not practical to climb up on the roof to fix a leak, such as during the winter months, you can repair a leaky roof temporarily, from the inside, if you can determine where the leak is occuring from the underside of your roof.
Things You Will Need
- Putty knife
- Roof patch
- Chalk
- Flashlight
- Caulk
- Caulking gun
- Nail
- Bucket
Tip
Roof leaks can occur when the flashing around a vent pipe or chimney separates from the roof and creates a gap. Patching material may not adhere properly if the roof area is damp.
Warning
Repairing a roof leak from the inside is a temporary fix only. Make the final repair as soon as weather permits.
Walk carefully on the ceiling joists in the attic or use a sheet of plywood to walk on, so you will not accidentally put a hole in the ceiling panel..
Seal the Leak
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Locate the source of the leak by examining the underside of the roof from within your attic or crawl space.
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Shine a flashlight along the underside of the roof and look for a hole in the roof as well as areas that are wet or have been darkened by moisture.
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Mark the areas that appear to be leaks with chalk so they will be easier to find later when making a permanent repair.
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Let the wet areas dry and then apply the patch to the underside of the roof with a putty knife. Use enough of the roof patch to liberally cover the leaky area.
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Use a caulking gun to apply caulk to seal any holes that appear in the roof. Use the putty knife or your finger to spread the caulk around to cover the hole.
Divert the Water
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Insert a nail in the hole where water is leaking through the roof. The nail will provide a path for the water.
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Place a bucket underneath the nail to catch the water as it runs down the nail.
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Patch the hole from the inside as soon as the area is dry enough for the caulk or roof patch to be applied.
The Drip Cap
- Roof leaks are confusing to diagnose.
- Roof leaks must be repaired from the outside to ensure the problem is corrected.
- Use a caulking gun to apply caulk to seal any holes that appear in the roof.
- Patch the hole from the inside as soon as the area is dry enough for the caulk or roof patch to be applied.
References
Writer Bio
Cameron Easey has over 15 years customer service experience, with eight of those years in the insurance industry. He has earned various designations from organizations like the Insurance Institute of America and LOMA. Easey earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and history from Western Michigan University.
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