Longtime Washington homeowners will most likely find themselves wondering how to find and fix a leak coming from their roof at some point. Leaky shingles are a common issue experienced by homeowners that can be easily fixed as a DIY project or by Portland roofing.

There are warning signs that every roofing company in Portland tells homeowners to look out for before scheduling an appointment for an inspection and repair.

Below are the four biggest tips for detecting and patching a leak.

1. Locate the Leak

Locating the leak is the easiest part of the process. You’ll most likely notice stains on your ceiling or attic wall at the location of the leak.

Portland roofers recommend taking these steps first:

  • Use a flashlight to inspect your attic on a rainy day to catch the reflection where the water is coming through
  • Look for missing, cracked, or curled shingles
  • Inspect the caulking and flashing
  • Inspect the shingles covering the peak

Portland roofing contractors will be more than happy to investigate the cause of a leak in your home.

2. Repair Cracked or Curled Shingles

Contacting your local roofing company in Portland, OR is recommended to save homeowners the trouble of purchasing the materials required for a repair and to ensure it’s done properly on the first try.

If you are comfortable turning your leak into a DIY project, these are the materials you need:

  • Roof cement
  • Caulk gun
  • Putty knife

Don’t forget to apply a sufficient amount of pressure to the shingles once they have been placed to guarantee it sets.

3. Replace Damaged or Missing Shingles

If you notice any damaged or missing shingles during your assessment, they need to be replaced immediately. Roofing contractors in Portland, OR will tell you to look for these tell-tale signs that a replacement is needed:

  • Cracked or rotten shingles
  • Sections missing shingles

Contact your local roofers in Portland to help you replace your damaged or missing shingles to keep you and your home protected.

If you prefer to do the replacement yourself, follow the steps of Portland roofers for the best outcome:

  • Remove the nails with a pry bar to lift the shingle
  • Scrape and remove the cement layer
  • Put the new shingle into place using galvanized roofing nails
  • Cover the nails with a fresh layer of roof cement

4. Repair the Flashing

The metal flashing surrounding the chimney is a common place for leaks to form. Repairing the flashing is simple. All you have to do is reseal the joints with cement using the caulk gun, then spread it evenly with the putty knife.

If you are uncomfortable resealing a gap yourself, roof repair in Portland can carry out an inspection and complete the repair for you.

Patching it Up

Replacing a few broken shingles or resealing a minor gap in the flashing yourself can be no problem if you know what you’re doing. However, don’t attempt to replace entire rows of shingles as a DIY project. Contact your trusted Portland roofers to get the job done.

The leak may have spread farther than anticipated, which can be indicated by easily lifted shingles. In that case, you need to contact roof repair in Portland, OR.