If you discover a leak in your garage roof, it’s important that you address it as soon as possible; however, that doesn’t mean you should rush into repairing it yourself. There is a lot that you need to know before repairing a leak in your roof, and understanding the full extent of the leak is critical for preventing future damage.
Don’t hesitate. Get started or get professional help.
Once water starts leaking into your roof, the damage will only get worse and more widespread with each day. You do not want to wait too long before addressing the problem. If you do, you will have much larger and more expensive repairs than you would’ve had if you had the repairs done right away. Rot, mildew, and mold are just a few of the many problems that can affect your roof, walls, and ceilings.
Make sure the whole roof is waterproof.
You may be tempted to just focus on cracks and obvious problem areas when you repair and waterproof your roof, but that’s a mistake. There could be other areas that also need waterproofing, and treating your whole roof is the most cost-effective solution because it can reduce the chance of future problems.
Concrete roofs are porous if they are not treated, and moisture can cause scaling, cracking, and spalling. You will first want to clean off the entire roof, and possibly use a pressure washer. Roofing cement and mortar can be used to fill cracks and depressions where water collects.
You’ll then want to add a solid primer and finally an elastomeric sealant. A good sealant will protect your roof from water, ice, and even the sun. Don’t forget to apply the sealant to the entire roof, and depending on the product, you may want to add a second coat after the first one sets.
Inspect the roofing felt
In addition to replacing tiles that are loose or damaged, you will also want to check the roofing felt. Even if it looks fine, it may be contributing to the leaks and other problems, so you will want to replace it once it gets old. Replacing the roofing felt is an important part of the roof repair that too many homeowners forget about or don’t think to replace.
Find the location of the leak
Sometimes it’s easy to identify where the leak is, and it’s easy for the problem to be contained. In other situations, you’ll want to inspect the whole roof and the surrounding parts of your garage, including the corners, walls, pipes, and the roofing felt. If you can’t find the source of the leak, it may have been caused by a plumbing line that was installed poorly or has degraded over time.
Take a Look at the timbers
While you’re inspecting your roof, it’s a good time to check the roofing timbers. Once you remove the covering of your roof, you should see if there are any signs of damage or wear on the timbers themselves. Usually, the roofing timber will not suffer significant damage from a small leak, but you can never be too careful.
Consider replacing your garage door
Depending on the circumstances and severity of the leak, your garage door or your garage door opener may have been damaged or need repair. It’s also possible that you have an old garage door that needs to be completely replaced, in which case you should find an option that will lower your energy costs and increase the value of your home.
We can help you find a garage door that is within your budget and looks incredible. Our representatives have the experience to answer any questions you may have and make sure you get a high quality model that meets your needs and expectations.
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