How Do You Repair A Leaky Roof? - What To Do & When To Call A Professional

How to Identify Roof Leaks

The first step towards a roof repair and finding your hidden roof leaks is to find the source of the leak and to be honest with you, it’s no easy task. This is because water generally travels and the signs of a leak may only appear farther away from the actual entry point.

But even with that, you can still find the main source of the roof leak. Sometimes though you may need to test where your roof leak will be, you can use a garden hose to provide artificial rainfall, and show where a roof leak will be.

As a roofing contractor in the Georgia area, we know that oftentimes moisture and water buildup in attics can be commonplace, but with the humid environment we live in a roof leak can easily lead to mold in the attic and inside the house. And that would lead to an even larger home improvement job. A roof leak can enter under metal flashing or other roof flashing and cause serious damage if left unchecked. To get started:

All you have to do is grab your flashlight and head into the attic. You should do this during the day when it's not raining and the weather is permitting. Your safety should always be a priority, so remember to only step on large support beams and avoid the top side of the ceiling as well as insulations. A roof leak is not worth getting hurt over.

If you're trying to locate multiple roof leaks or a roof leak, begin by taking a look at the roof uphill from the stained areas. The first thing you should look for is roof penetrations. Things that enter the roof are the most frequent source of leaks.

In reality, it's not common for leaks to occur in the open spaces of unrestricted roofing shingles, even on older roofs. Penetrations could include plumbing and chimneys, roof vents, dormers, or any other thing that extends into the roof can be a hidden place for a leak's location.

They could be located several feet above the leak or left or right of the leak. If you have access to your attic the easiest method to find the source of the leak is to climb up with a flashlight to search for evidence. There'll be water stains and black marks, or even mold. If there is a problem with access or there is an unfinished ceiling and you're not sure, you'll need to go up to the roof to look over your suspect(s).

Roof leaks are important to find but always prepare for safety first.

1) Fixing a Roof Leak Emergency - Conducting a Roof Leakage Repair

If you don't know how to complete a long-term roof leak repair, it helps to know how to patch a leaking roof in an emergency until an official repair can be made. All you need is plastic sheeting and 2 by 4s. 



First, you want to unroll or unfold enough sheeting to cover the section of the roof. Add an additional four feet, then cut it with a utility knife. Wrap a 2 by 4 on one side that is the same size as the plastic's width, then staple the plastic. Put it together using another 2 by 4 and nail the boards together using a few 3-inch common screws. 

Next, you want to place the stacked pieces along the eaves. Spread the sheet to the ridge and run it over the top of it and down a few feet. 

Lastly, add another pair of 2 by 4s to keep the wind from carrying the pieces away. Do not nail this portion together. Now you know how to fix a leaky roof in an emergency. 

2) Fixing Small Holes 

Tiny holes in your shingles can be easy to miss, but they can cause major problems like rot before you realize you need a leaky roof repair. Holes can be leftover from an old satellite dish or minor storm damage that was never discovered. Holes can appear around chimneys, flashing, and under shingles.



All misplaced nails should be removed to properly repair roof leaking when patching up holes. Don't inject caulking into the holes to seal them. Use pieces of flashing to cover them. 

3) The Fast Fix to a Leaky Roof

If you have more knowledge of how to repair roof leakage and have located the source of a minor leak, you have another option for a fast fix using a 12-by-12-inch piece of galvanized sheet metal flashing. 

All you need to do for this DIY roof leak repair is lift the damaged shingle and push the steel underneath it to cover the hole. You may need to bring up a few of the nails above the damaged shingle to push the flashing up. This ensures the water will be shed over the metal. 

4) Replace Damaged or Missing Shingles 

If you have the necessary shingles, this is an easy way of knowing how to repair a roof leak. Start by lifting the edges of the surrounding pieces and carefully removing the nails with a pry bar. The shingle should slide out once the nails are removed so you can scrape away the residue and remove the jutting out nails. 



Round the back corners of the new shingles with a utility knife, then get it into position. Lift the corners of the shingles and connect them using 6D galvanized roofing nails. Lastly, secure the heads with roof cement and smooth overlapping edges. 

5) Fixing The Flashing 

If the problem stems from the flashing around the chimney or the dormer, you simply reseal the joints using a caulk gun filled with roof cement to repair the roof leaking. If the joints have previously been sealed with cement, apply a fresh coat with a putty knife. 

Even if you know how to complete a leaky roof repair, if the shingles lift too easily after sealing them, then it might be time to call a professional. Don't wait until mold has grown into your walls. 

When to Call Georgia Roofing Professionals!

There are instances when a leaking roof or roof leak is excessive and you may not handle it perfectly. Under such scenarios, seeking the services of a professional roofing repair company will be the best solution. If you happen to be a homeowner or property owner in Marietta GA and the surrounding areas, you can consider contacting us (GARoofingPros) your local roofing contractor.



If you're doing a DIY roof leak repair, you want to make sure the weather will be dry and warm until the project is complete, ideally between late spring and early fall. Using a garden hose and other such DIY methods are great for people with experience but with more difficult jobs we recommend contacting a roofing contractor and home improvement expert every time.

Keep in mind that roofing companies work year-round because they have the experience and the tools to adapt to the weather. They can take the pressure off your shoulders to learn how to repair roof leak and will do a better job. Overall, we think contacting a reputable company is the best way to guarantee the fix is done right.