Fix A Leaking Roof In Winter

How to repair a leaky roof from inside the house.

Fix a leaking roof in winter.

Now is a time when you can start planning if you know where to start. Perhaps placing tube on furnace duct so air heats pre cut tube inside of home then climb up ladder and seal area keeping the sealant warm and easily caulk able. For example soak the downhill side of a chimney first then each side then the top on both sides. Shingles that aren t stuck to one another are very susceptible to damage in winter winds.

Locate the leaking source and search for the damaged or missing shingles and make a list of the areas to be repaired. Your best solution may be to just tarp off the problem area until the spring but be sure not to block off any venting pipes that vent out dangerous gasses. Replace any missing or rotted siding above the step flashing on dormers. Shine a flashlight along the underside of the roof and look for a hole in the roof as well as areas that are wet or have been.

Recaulk the corner flashing if any areas have hardened caulk. Dig out any cracked or dry caulking that isn t properly sealing adjoining surfaces and replace with silicone caulk. Start low soaking the area just above where the leak appears in the house. Sealing the shingle to the object can be accomlished with a roofing sealant available at menards lowes etc.

The shingles can be warmed up with a propane torch. The secret to caulking in winter time is to heat the sealant in the tube. The roof shingles should be softened and flattened as the shingles tend to curl up in winter. The tar strip needs to be about 60f to activate.

Isolate areas when you run the hose. Make use of the flame carefully on the curled shingle edges. If a leak is difficult to find enlist a helper and go up on the roof with a garden hose. You can t fix a leaky roof from the inside so don t even try.