How To Fix A Leaking Roof In Winter

How to repair a leaky roof from inside the house.

How to fix a leaking roof in winter.

You may be able to spot the leak if you have an attic and go up there on a rainy day. The shingles can be warmed up with a propane torch. After you pinpoint the leak apply roofing cement or new shingles as needed. To stop the leak use a long handled roof rake to remove snow from your roof or blow cold air onto the area of the roof that is leaking in your attic using a box fan.

Use enough water to mimic heavy rains. First look on the inside where the leak is. Begin soaking low on the roof just above where the leak is visible inside the house. If a leak is difficult to find enlist a helper and go up on the roof with a garden hose.

The roof shingles should be softened and flattened as the shingles tend to curl up in winter. Make use of the flame carefully on the curled shingle edges. Measure from the inside wall to the point of the leak. Run water over the low side of the penetration for several minutes while the helper watches for any water droplets.

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. Isolate areas when you run the hose. This will freeze the leaking water in place but you ll still need to deal with the ice dam or it will melt and start leaking again. While temperature is below freezing at 7 degrees and ot.

Then add in the width of the overhang. The secret to caulking in winter time is to heat the sealant in the tube. Perhaps placing tube on furnace duct so air heats pre cut tube inside of home then climb up ladder and seal area keeping the sealant warm and easily caulk able. Locate the leaking source and search for the damaged or missing shingles and make a list of the areas to be repaired.

Start low soaking the area just above where the leak appears in the house. Then you can mark the area and on a nice day have a helper tap on the mark while you re on the roof. For example soak the downhill side of a chimney first then each side then the top on both sides.