You’ve just patched up that annoying roof leak, but little do you know, it’s not over. With each drop of water that hits the floor, you realize you’ve won the battle — but not the war. Roof leaks that come back are not uncommon, especially when they’re fixed with D.I.Y repairs. However, a leak that doesn’t go away indicates more serious issues that may need a professional.
If your roof leak has returned, here’s what to do right now to stop it and seal the leak for good.
Keep reading to find out why the leak came back and what to avoid in the future.
What to Do If Your Roof Leak Comes Back
A roof leak can leave permanent water damage if unaddressed, which is why it’s important to act fast. Here are simple steps for containing the leak:
- Find the source of the leak to ensure you don’t miss any areas that could be affected by water damage.
- Cover the source of the leak temporarily with a tarp or roofing tape.
- If water is dripping, use a large bucket to catch it and check the bucket regularly to ensure it doesn’t overflow.
- Use towels to dry the water and run a dehumidifier in the areas where the water leaked.
- Call a professional roofing contractor for an emergency fix at (226) 606-8320 (if you live in Waterloo region). It’s helpful to tell them everything you know about the leak, including what caused it, that you’ve tried a fix already, why you think it may have come back, and where the leak is. This information will help streamline repairs.
Why Do Roof Leaks Come Back?
There’s numerous reasons why a roof leak might come back.
Incomplete Repairs
We see this often with D.I.Y cases. Repairs end up being incomplete, either due to lack of time to truly fix the issue, or because of inexperience leading to surface-level repairs. Basically, an incomplete repair means the root cause of the leak wasn’t addressed, leading to the leak coming back.
Hidden Damage
Many homeowners fail to find the real source of the leak because where the water is dripping isn’t always directly above where the leak is. Water travels along the decking, beams, and insulation inside your home, it might end up far away from where the leak originated.
In some cases, there is more than one source of the leak at a time. If you fix the leak in one part of your roof, but not the other, a leak is bound to happen again. It’s common to miss multiple leak sources when the roof wasn’t professionally inspected.
Poor Workmanship
Sometimes, homeowners fall victim to a bad roofing contractor who doesn’t completely finish the job to save time, money, or simply because of inexperience. If the work wasn’t done by a trained, certified roofer, it may have been rushed or done with the wrong materials.
The same goes for D.I.Y fixes, which are often done by non-professionals looking to save money. While it’s cost-effective in the short-term, there’s no guarantee D.I.Y roof leak repairs will last in the long-term. Without proper knowledge of roofing techniques, material quality, and industry standards, D.I.Y fixes can be risky.
Old or Low-Quality Roofing Materials
Depending on the material, most shingles and other roofing materials have a certain lifespan before they begin to deteriorate and lose durability. If your roof is more than 15 years old, age can definitely be the reason for a returning roof leak. Lower quality roof materials also aren’t as durable as industry standard roofing materials chosen by the professionals.
How to Prevent Roof Leaks from Returning
- Fix the root cause of the leak
- Have the roof inspected by a professional to identify more serious issues
- Use quality roofing materials (they’re worth it)
- Avoid D.I.Y if you’re inexperienced
- Check the attic ventilation and insulation for water build-up
- Don’t neglect your roof! Seasonal maintenance goes a long way