Roof leak issues are of two types. There are serious issues that only a professional roofer can remedy, and there are a few others that you can do yourself. The first thing is to locate the point of the roof leak. It is laborious work that needs careful inspection. Sometimes you can detect this as stains on the ceiling or walls. However, placing the source of this leak is difficult. If it is raining, it is easy to trace the source. In the absence of rain, you will have to simulate it using a garden hose. Here, you will need a helper either to hold the hose or to locate the source of the leak. Now, several problems cause a roof leak.
1. Missing shingles
If you conduct a roof inspection following a storm, you will find many shingles missing. Replacing these shingles is a comparatively easy job. You can lift the edges of the surrounding shingles to see if a portion of the torn shingle is still there. Remove these and clean the spot. Then slip the new shingle in place and nail it.
2. Curled shingles
The summers in Florida are severe, and the intense heat is likely to curl the edges of the shingles over time. The heat also buckles the shingles or distorts them. Water will seep in through the resulting gaps. So, it is necessary to straighten the shingles. If the shingles have become brittle it is better to soften them by applying gentle heat so that they become pliable. Then, pat them flat and secure them in place with roofing cement or other adhesives. Hold the shingle in place until you are sure of its stability. Use the same procedure to flatten the buckled shingles also.
3. Clogged gutters
Clogged gutters cause overflows that may penetrate through the eaves that will cause roof leaks. So make gutter-cleaning periodic work. The rainstorms in Florida can be very violent. They often fill your gutters with debris. A clogged gutter in Florida is extremely detrimental to your roof.
4. Holes on rooftop
Several things may cause holes in your roof. A careless roofer may leave some nail holes after a previous shingle replacement. Flying debris that consists of a tree limb may bore certain holes on your roof. Yet another cause is the invasion of pests. All these usually go unnoticed for a time at least. The signs of a roof leak make a roof inspection necessary and when such holes come to your attention seal them immediately using roof cement or other suitable sealants.
5. Debris on the rooftop
Leaves and other parts of the surrounding vegetation will accumulate on your roof. This debris buildup will retain the rainwater even long after the rains. In Florida, it rains almost year-round. The water which stays under the debris will seep in through the gaps between the shingles. Furthermore, it will cause fungal growth that will damage your shingles. So, you must clean your roof periodically.
6. Flashings around various rooftop structures
The flashings around the rooftop structures like chimneys, vents, and skylights are vulnerable spots on your roof. The extreme weather conditions prevailing in Florida is likely to damage the flashings. Pay more attention to these areas during roof examinations. Remove the cracked roof cement and reapply it after cleaning the place thoroughly. Remove the metal sheets together with the roofing cement that sticks it to the roof. You can replace this easily
7. Rubber boots
The plumbing vents and sometimes roof vents are attached using rubber boots. Severe heat will crack these up. You can easily replace these boots. You should do it without delay as it is a potential roof leak source.
8. Exposed nails
Storms and hurricanes are common occurrences in Florida. The strong wind can damage the shingles. Even if it does not blow them away, sometimes it lifts the shingles lifting the nails with them. When the shingles settle, the nails will stand out. These nails are also sources of roof leaks. You should drive these nails down.
9. Step flashing
Step flashing occurs where walls of some structures like dormers intersect the roof. Strong currents of rainwater are likely to disturb these flashings and displace them. If you notice a displacement, correct it immediately using a caulk gun.
These are the simplest of roof damages that you can fix easily using DIY methods.