It can sometimes be overly challenging to deal with a flat leaking roof, much less if everything is not done correctly. A leaking roof can cause severe damage to the overall quality and value of your house.
Any roof leaks are really concerning, but a leak in flat roofing materials is particularly complicated. If you are caught in this situation and don’t know how to seal a flat roof leak, read the following sections to find out the solutions for your case.
Read also: Roof Leak Repair Cost
How to Seal a Flat Roof Leak
Some people may prefer to save money until they have enough money to invest in the required roof repairs. It means that you will need to repair it on your own. Below are the steps you need to take in fixing a leaky roof.
1. Locate the Leak
Flat roof leaks in heavy rain, leading to a severe problem if you don’t fix it as soon as you find the leaking area. The water might not have flowed through the leak along the roof and pooled in another location, so the leak is probably not in a spot that has lots of water.
If the damage isn’t apparent, make sure to check your roof membrane located near the roof vents and flashing. If the roof isn’t accessible or you aren’t capable of finding the leak, consider calling specialists to do it for you.
2. Clean the Damaged Area
Carefully remove debris from your roof, which can lead to further damage before starting to repair it. Since flat roofs tend to collect water, make sure the area is dry enough before working on it.
3. Fix the damage
Check for any blisters that indicated the water has leaked between the roof layers. You will also need to look for any crack, which often implies long-term damage. The type of roof damage you have will determine the repair method you need to apply. So, how to seal a flat roof leak caused by a blister?
You need to carefully cut all the damaged layers and clean the water that might be present, but make sure not to damage the other parts. Once the blister flaps have been laid, fasten them to the roof and tightly seal the leak.
Be sure not to be nailing wires or other vital infrastructure underneath the roof. With roofing cement, cover the nails to seal all the holes you have created tightly.
How to Keep a Flat Roof from Leaking
In most cases, a flat roof leak often happens due to the debris clog on the roof for a long time. This debris will redirect the water to other locations or block it from flowing down on the roof.
Therefore, it’s crucial to maintain your flat roof’s cleanliness without driving the debris to the drains. But there are two long-term methods you can do to prevent a flat roof from leaking, which include:
- Use a rubber membrane: This type of membrane is usually placed on the roof’s top to replace the gravel on your flat roof. It’s an ideal way to extend the life of your aged, deteriorating flat roof.
- Add flashing: Another long-term way you can prevent leaks is by installing flashing to a flat roof around the vents or chimneys. Ask the contractor to add flashing around the edge of your roof to ensure that this material curves across the edge.
If there are already leaks in your flat roof, it would be better to call a roofing specialist to repair the roof. However, if the budget is a big deal for you, consider using the steps to seal a flat roof leak above.
