Often the first sign of a problem with your roof is water damage inside your home. Damp spots on ceilings or water dripping down mean that something has gone quite awry on the roof. Leaks generally happen due to shingle damage, punctures, or issues with seals and flashing. The roof repair option you choose depends on the type of damage causing the problem.

1. Seal the Seams

Seams along areas where two planes of the roof abut are prone to leakages. These areas are usually sealed with caulk. They may also be covered with a sheet of metal flashing. If leaks form, reapplying the caulk to anchor the flashing may help. You may also need to replace the flashing if it is damaged in any way.

2. Anchor Loose Shingles

Loose shingling is a common cause of a roof leak. Shingles come loose for many reasons, but wind and storms are likely the most common culprits. It's usually easy to spot the damage, as you will notice the shingle hanging askew. Shingles can be fastened back in place if there is no damage and the shingle is only loose. If minor damage has occurred, your roof repair service may caulk the shingle down so it doesn't come loose again.

3. Repair Rotten Bits

Roofing materials can rot, particularly shingles. Moisture exposure and age work in tandem to destroy a shingle. If most of the roof is still in good condition and only a few shingles are rotten, it is possible to opt for a repair instead of spending on a whole new roof. The rotten shingles are found and removed, and then new shingles are fastened down to replace them. The most complicated part of this process is making sure the new shingles match the rest of the roof.

4. Flash Chimneys

Chimney seals to the roof can fail while the rest of the roof is still in top shape. When this occurs, the best solution is to scrape out the old sealant and replace it with metal chimney flashing. This flashing is designed to overlap so that water can't get in from above or below, particularly once it is caulked into place so there are no gaps.

5. Replace Missing Shingles

There will be a bare spot where the shingle used to be if it blows off the roof. Sometimes only one shingle goes missing, but more often several shingles come loose at once. Much like repairing rotten shingles, the biggest challenge is matching the colour to your existing shingles.

Contact a roof repair service if you notice a leak that requires a prompt repair.