If you find some water stains that extends from your roof then runs down the walls, there is surely a roof leak problem that needs to be repaired. It may sound easy to trace the water stains but it’s actually a complicated task. Here are some tricks to help you find the roof leak and how you can conduct a roof repair on your own.

How to find the roof leaks:

In some cases, it isn’t as simple as fixing the spot where the leak is or where you find mold growth. These are sure signs of a leak but you have to factor in the possibility of water that has started penetrating the roof being diverted by the insulation to a different spot.  This is the reason why roof repairs start with long winded detective work. Here are some tips to find the real location of the leak:

• Climb up the attic and carefully step from joist to joist and as soon as you get your bearings, arm yourself with a flashlight and investigate the underside of the roof.
• If there is no attic, you can climb up the roof carefully and start removing shingles to find the leaks. Look out for water-stained wood or discolored areas.
• If you still can’t find the leak source, use running water. Have a friend run a hose through different parts of the roof while you stay inside and on the lookout for the leak.
• If running water doesn’t expose the leak check around chimneys, or vents or other protruding fixtures. See if the sealant around them has deteriorated.

If you find areas that are darker compared to its surrounding roof sheathing or if you find a patch of mold, chances are you’ve found the vulnerable spot in your roof. If this is the case, it's time to take control and become the kings and queens of your roof.

At the first sign of water stain or leaks, attend to it right away. Even if the leak is just a little one, fix it right away. If the problem is a broken shingle, then a modest replacement of the shingle will do.

Here are a few ways to conduct roof repair:

• Fixing shingles that are damaged or curled back. Straighten out those that are curled back by softening the edge of the shingle with heat. An electric hair dryer may be used for this purpose. Afterward, use the best asphalt roof cement you can find to reattach curled-back shingles.
• Inspect for cracks in the roofing material. Mend them by putting a generous amount of roofing cement located under the loose roofing material then press it down.
• Plastic roof vents have the tendency to crack and leak. The best way to solve this problem is to replace the broken vents.

Different types of problems need different types of solutions. There are various reasons for roof leak problems hence the roof repair process will diverse and challenging. There is always a way to fix the problem as roof repair will always need to be done thoroughly otherwise the house accumulates damage every time the rain comes.

The quickest and surest way to ensure the stability and avoid unnecessary repair to your roof is to have a professional GAF Master Elite roofer take a look. You might hesitate at the cost but you are guaranteed a proper fixed and you are likely to save thousands of dollars if you address roof issues.