Don’t wait to fix leaking roof

For many homeowners, a new roof can be the single most expensive nonelective home improvement. So before deciding to buy a new roof, you may want to take steps to prolong the life of the one you’ve got.

It’s often possible to inspect the roof yourself for trouble areas and, if you’re handy around the house, even make repairs. If, on the other hand, you’re afraid of heights or feel uneasy attempting such a project, then many roofing companies will provide free inspections and provide a written estimate outlining needed repairs.

Keep in mind that home improvement/repair scams rank second only to auto-related complaints received each year by the Better Business Bureau.

Be wary of a roofing company that comes to the door offering to inspect your roof because they “just happen to be in the neighborhood.” Unscrupulous companies will make their way onto your roof and find several hundreds or thousands of dollars’ worth of repair work to do. What follows is an “unbelievable” offer – typically a savings of 10 percent to 20 percent – if they can do the work “on the spot” for payment in full upon completion. Sadly, some will insist on advance payment without ever setting foot on the roof, and may never be seen again.

If your roof needs repair, have an inspection and estimate made by at least two (preferably three) licensed roofing contractors.

The National Roofing Contractors Association, a trade association, offers tips on selecting a roofing professional and information on roof maintenance.

If the thought of climbing on the roof brings on high anxiety, consider keeping your feet firmly on the ground and using a pair of binoculars. Look for loose shingles or wood shakes, or, if you have a tile or slate roof, missing or cracked pieces. In any case, keep traffic on the roof to a minimum to prevent damage to shingles or tiles.

On shingle roofs, look for curling, fraying and tears at the edges. Don’t forget to check the flashing around chimneys, vents, skylights and other roof penetrations; they should be tight and in good condition.

Many roof leaks are actually flashing leaks. Flashing is a solid waterproof barrier that prevents moisture from entering an area that cannot be completely sealed with a roofing material. Although most flashing is constructed of galvanized sheet metal, lead and copper also are frequently used.

Clean up rusted flashing with a wire brush, repair it with high-quality caulking and paint with a rust-resistant paint. Replace severely deteriorated flashing and vents.

Leaves, pine needles and other debris on the roof can cause water to back up between shingles or around flashing, resulting in leaks. Clogged gutters and downspouts also can cause leaking.

Locating a leak can be daunting. Often, a visual inspection isn’t enough to determine where a leak is coming from. In that case, a water test is in order.

You need to venture onto the roof to do this test effectively. Use a firmly braced or tied-off ladder equipped with rubber safety feet, and wear rubber-soled shoes to avoid slipping. Affix a safety harness to an anchor on the roof, a tree or a solid object on the other side of the roof to give yourself more protection. Using a garden hose, run water onto the areas where a leak is most likely to exist.

For example, if you have a water stain on the ceiling just in front of the living room fireplace, concentrate your water test on that general area. The chimney flashing may be the culprit in this case. Have a helper in the attic to see to see where the water is making its way through the roof.

After you find the source of the leak, you can either try the repair yourself or call in a professional. Sometimes all that’s required is a dab of roofing adhesive, a touch of caulking or a small shingle patch. Other times, flashing, vents or sections of roofing must be torn out and replaced, in which case you should definitely hire a roofing contractor.