Leaking roofs can cause a lot of damage to your home and property if not fixed quickly.
A leaking roof can go undetected for months, causing water damage to the ceilings, walls, insulation, and even the electrical wiring in your home.
Texan Residential Services is a full-service roofing company that offers a wide range of repair and replacement services for leaking roofs.
We have been serving the Austin area for ten years and we pride ourselves on our prompt response time and meeting our customer’s expectations with our exceptional services.
As the weather in Austin has recently become much more variable, many people are noticing that their homes are now leaking.
Many times these leaks occur around roof vents, skylights, or areas where there is not enough maintenance; however, most often they happen because of damage to the shingles or flashing that causes water to pool on the roof causing eventual saturation into the attic.
Repairing a leaky roof is an expensive job but it can be done if you have time and are willing to do some research.
FAQs about the Most Common Fixes of Leaking Roofs in the Austin Area?
What are the Causes of Leaking Roofs?
The weather is changing in Austin, which means that roofs are more susceptible to damage.
A damaged roof can cause leaks around vents, skylights, or anywhere with poor maintenance. The most common reasons for leaking roofs are broken shingles and flashing failure.
What are the Most Common Fixes of Leaking Roofs?
If your roof is already leaking it may be difficult to find the source since water will travel along the path of least resistance until it finds its way out.
We recommend getting on top of your roof to inspect it during rainfall or when there is standing water in your yard after a heavy downpour. This will help you find the source of your leak.
Leaks along ridgelines often mean that there is a problem with the shingles or flashing around the chimney. The flashing may have become dislodged, deteriorated, or maybe bent back too far making it buckle against the shingles.
Other common problems include not enough roof ventilation and poorly configured valley sections that create an area where water can pool up and eventually saturates into your attic.
Is there anything else I can DIY?
Yes! If you are DIY inclined we recommend taking photos throughout the house whenever you notice something has changed to document all changes or work done to ensure nothing is overlooked or missing in case of future claims (damage from hail storms usually follows right after periods of heavy rainfall and it is inevitable you will need to file a claim at some point).
If you are not adept with power tools we often recommend hiring a roofing contractor or handyman to assist with the process.
How long do repairs take?
Depending on the extent of damage it may take as little as one day for simple repairs such as replacing broken shingles or flashing.
Or if more extensive work needs to be done, such as reapplying new shingles, then that will take longer because multiple days would be needed for curing and drying time which prevents re-wetting and further saturation.
What can I use to stop my roof from leaking?
There are many products to use to stop your roof from leaking.
One example is a sealant that can be applied around the perimeter of your home and which will fill in potential gaps to prevent water from seeping into your home.
We also offer an acrylic-based product called Eternabond which works by adhering to the seams of any flashing so they stay put and keep water where it belongs – on the outside of our homes!
Does Flex Seal work on roofs??
Flex Seal is a rubberized product, so it won’t work on roofs. Eternabond will do the job of Flex Seal but with increased durability and lasting power.
What is the best roofing sealant?
For the best roofing sealant, we recommend Eternabond. It is an acrylic-based product that adheres to flashing or seams in shingles and roofs to keep water where it belongs – outside!
Which sealant will work on polycarbonate?
Eternabond can be applied to many surfaces including metal, plastic, aluminum, etc. however care should be taken when applying the product directly onto certain Polycarbonate materials.
Polycarbonate is often used in greenhouses, gazebos, backyard sheds, and more because it’s lightweight but very strong.
However, not recommending Eternabond will not work, our recommendation is always to test a small spot first before applying it directly to the polycarbonate surface.
What is the best way to patch a leaky roof?
The best way to patch a leaky roof is to replace the broken shingles and reapply a new layer of underlayment.
You can also use a rubberized product such as Eternabond which adheres any flashing or seams in shingles and roofs so they stay put and keep water where it belongs – outside!
How long should I wait until I can walk on my roof after replacing it?
You should avoid walking on your roof for at least 2 days while it has time to dry when applying anything directly onto polycarbonate it’s best to do a test patch first for safety reasons.
How much cost when fixing the leaking roof?
The average cost of fixing a leaking roof is between $500 and $1,000 for basic repairs to around $5,000 if more extensive work needs to be done.
How do you fix a leaking roof?
Repairing a leaking roof typically means one or several of the following:
Replacing broken shingles, replacing deteriorated flashing, reapplying underlayment, installing ice-and-water shield, applying Eternabond as it adheres to any flashing or seams in shingles and roofs so they stay put and keep water where it belongs – outside!
Is there anything else I can DIY?
Yes! If you are DIY inclined we recommend taking photos throughout the house whenever you notice something has changed to document the problem area.
If you are not adept with power tools we often recommend hiring a roofing contractor or handyman to assist with the process.
I have heard that there are companies that offer maintenance programs for roofs? What is this and how can it help me?
Maintenance programs for roofs will send someone out once every few months to inspect your roof, check for any problems and then fix them before they become major issues.
We always recommend this especially if your home is located in an area where hail storms occur frequently.
How do I know if my roof needs repairs? When you notice things such as leaks, loose shingles, broken tiles, worn-out underlayment, or damaged flashing it may be time to have your roof checked by a professional.
What are some preventative measures I can take to protect my roof?
Some basic checks to consider when protecting your roof include:
Make sure you have sufficient roof ventilation so air can flow through and around your attic creating convective currents that keep moisture from building up, not creating problem areas by over-installing anything on your roof (such as too many solar panels or skylights), always having necessary components for valley sections including extra flashing material in case the original has cracked or deteriorated, ensuring that all vents are properly installed per manufacturer’s directions and that all hardware such as screws and hinges are properly installed and tightened.
What is the average cost of a new roof?
The cost of new roofs varies greatly depending on your needs and preferences (single-ply vs. three-tab shingles, etc). But typically we see the following as the top three reasons for replacing a roof:
– Harsh weather damage such as hail or wind storms causes shingles to break, tear off, or loosen
– Roof age (average lifespan is around 20 years depending on exposure and quality of material)
– Appearance preference (many customers choose to upgrade every 15 yrs if their budget allows)
For example, our client’s before photo shows what they were dealing with. See below for after. Notice how much more light gets through the roof now that the old tiles are gone? When you have an unobstructed view like this it can save you money on electric costs because there is less need for artificial lighting during the day!
As always, consult your tax advisor regarding any applicable tax deductions.
What parts of my home should I be worried about when it comes to my roof?
You want to be especially cautious about your skylights, vents for HVAC units, chimneys, valleys in the roof where water often tends to pool up under poor installation, vent pipes, or anything else protruding from your roof that has flashing around it so there is no way for water to get in behind them.
If you have a flat roof, with no eaves or gutters you’ll want to be extra conscious of keeping your roof clean and free from debris.
What happens if my roof is damaged?
In the event that damage has occurred to your home’s ceiling due to a broken or missing shingle, it will need to be repaired as soon as possible with a patch for temporary relief before a permanent solution can be made.
If you do not make this fix right away, there is a chance water could continue getting in behind the shingle and cause wall damage within your home. In addition, carpets may be ruined which can lead to mold issues as well as rotting floorboards under carpeting.
Also, as the wood dries out from being exposed to water, it can crack and warp which can lead to more damage. If your roof is leaking, contact a roofing contractor as soon as you notice the issue – the faster you fix the problem, the less chance of further damage occurring.
What is the average cost of a new roof?
The cost of new roofs varies greatly depending on your needs and preferences (single-ply vs. three-tab shingles, etc). But typically we see the following as the top three reasons for replacing a roof:
– Harsh weather damage such as hail or wind storms causes shingles to break, tear off, or loosen
– Roof age (average lifespan is around 20 years depending on exposure and quality of material)
– Appearance preference (many customers choose to upgrade every 15 yrs if their budget allows)
For example, our client’s before photo shows what they were dealing with. See below for after.
Notice how much more light gets through the roof now that the old tiles are gone? When you have an unobstructed view like this it can save you money on electric costs because there is less need for artificial lighting during the day!
How to fix a leaking roof from the outside?
The easiest way to begin looking for a leak from the outside is to follow the direction of the water stains up until they disappear or come close to disappearing.
In addition, you can look around your chimney and skylights as these are common causes of leaks in the roofs.
You should also check any shingles that have been torn away – where they were ripped off may be a good indication as to where a leak starts if they weren’t blown off by the weather.
Also, keep an eye on pools of water – especially at crevices between roof tiles – this can indicate a missed sealant strip during installation.
Unfortunately, many people don’t discover their problem right away because there isn’t much room (even with a ladder) to see what’s going on around these areas. It often takes water damage inside their homes – such as itchy and smelly carpet or plaster is even beginning to crack – for them to realize that they have a problem with their roof.
If you’re looking for a roofing company in Austin, TX that can help with your leaking roof, then look no further.
We are the most trusted and experienced roofers in the area. With over 15 years of experience, we have handled all types of roofs from shingle to tile to flat roofs.
No matter what type of leak or problem you have on your home or business, our team will be able to fix it quickly and efficiently so you can get back to enjoying life without worrying about leaks ruining your day!
Our goal is not only fixing any problems but also providing preventative maintenance so that you don’t need us as often.
We want our customers to feel comfortable knowing they are protected against water damage by having their roofs inspected regularly by professionals who care about their homes just like they do!