Small Ceiling Leak
Notice a discoloration on your ceiling after a rainstorm? This could be due to a small water leak from your roof. Many roofing companies will charge hundreds of dollars to fix these small problems that you could fix yourself. With a few simple tools and a few hours, your roof could be as good as new. This guide will take you through the basic procedures for fixing a small water leak caused by failed shingles or tar paper.
Instructions
Locating the Leak
1. Locate the leak on your ceiling. If the leak is on a lower level ceiling, go to the floor directly above the leak. Determine whether the water is leaking from the roof or from a water pipe, washer, sink or toilet. If the plumbing is leaking, a plumber will be required to fix the problem. If you have an attic, find the leak there.
2. Drill a small hole through the center of the leak all the way through your roof. Insert the pencil through the hole to help find the problem on top of the roof. Climb on the roof and locate the pencil.
3. Using the speed bar, gently pry away and remove the shingles around the pencil to uncover the tar paper.
4. Remove the tar paper from the affected area. Fill any holes with roofing caulk, including the one you drilled.
5. Cut a new piece of tar paper and "glue" it in place using . Ensure the top and side edges are pushed underneath the existing tar paper so that water will flow over the new tar paper and not channel its way underneath it. The bottom edge of the tar paper must be over the existing tar paper for the same reasoning.
6. Install new shingles over the tar paper.
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