Ceiling Water Spots? 5 Roof Repair Steps to Follow!
Posted on: 29 June 2021
A leak in the roof is often first spotted inside the house when water spots or mold begins to develop on the ceiling.
1. Leak Detection
The first step after spotting ceiling problems is to determine where the leak is actually coming from. In many cases, the leak won't be in the roof directly above the ceiling stain. This is because most roofs are pitched. Water leaks through the roof and then runs down a rafter or truss before dripping on your ceiling from the attic. A roofer can inspect the roof from both the outside and from within the attic to determine the exact location of the leak.
2. Insulation Removal
Chances are that water damage has affected any attic insulation in the immediate area of the leak area. Any wet or moldy insulation must be removed promptly, otherwise, further mold issues can develop and make matters even worse. Once the insulation is removed, fans or water extractors may need to be brought into the attic to help speed up the drying process and to minimize water and mold damage.
3. Decking Patch
A leak means that damage has affected the plywood decking beneath the shingles, and this damage will require repairs once the old shingles are torn off. Your roofer may be able to cut out the damaged section if there is only a small puncture in the decking. They will patch it and put a seal around the patch. For large damages, or if the decking board is rotting, a full replacement of the damaged sheet of decking will be necessary.
4. Shingle Replacement
Once the decking repairs are complete, the area can be reshingled. First, the tar paper and any new weather guard are put down, then the shingles are replaced. Keep in mind that it can sometimes be difficult to find shingles that are an exact match, as colors are often discontinued over the years. Your roofer will make the closest match possible so the repair isn't immediately noticeable.
5. Interior Repairs
Once the roof is fixed and sealed in again, interior damages must be addressed. This may mean treating rafters to kill mold spores, replacing insulation, and removing and replacing ceiling drywall. Wait until the roof is fixed before making these repairs since you will want to make sure all damages have been located and repaired first so you don't have to do the job twice.
Contact a residential roof repair service if you find water spots on your ceiling.
Share