Did you know that the roof of your house serves a crucial purpose? This is because it usually provides the much-needed shade whenever the weather is hot. Also, it protects your valuables from harsh weather elements such as snow, rain, and so on. Generally, you will be safe as long as you have installed the right roof in your house.
However, the roof does not remain in pristine condition all the time. Sometimes, it might start leaking unawares. Roof leaks can be detrimental if they go unchecked. Your valuables might be damaged.
Besides this, the structure of your house might be at risk. To avert this, you should repair your roof as soon as possible. Since roof leak repair costs some money, we shall take a closer look at these costs so that you can set an appropriate budget for it.
Roof Leak Repair Cost by Material
Like we have mentioned above, roof leak repair will cost you some money. Therefore, you should set a budget for it. However, the cost of repair depends on several factors. One of these factors is the type of materials and designs used to make your roof. Note that there are different types of materials that you would use to repair your roof.
For instance, there are asphalt shingles with a national average repair cost of $710. There are also metal roofs with an average repair cost of $1300. There are flat roofs with a $400 repair cost, tile roofs with a $1000 repair cost, and slate roofs with an average repair cost of $1500.
The sagging roof repair cost
Sagging is one of the indicators that your roof needs to be repaired. The bad news is that this roof problem can be disastrous if it is unchecked. In most cases, the roofs usually start to sag due to a number of factors such as:
- Increased moisture
- Undetected leak
- Presence of too much weight on the roof
If you fail to maintain your roof, it might start sagging in the long run. To repair this roof, you might have to pay between $750 to $2000.If the sagging has only affected a small part of your roof, you might not incur huge repair costs.
However, if larger roof sections have been affected, you might have to dig deeper into your pocket. A sagging roof is generally one of the most expensive roof issues one can fix. Therefore, you have to set a budget for it, as illustrated above.
Metal roof repair cost
If your metal roof is leaking, you might have to pay $700 for it to be repaired. However, this cost might vary depending on the degree of roof damage, among other factors. If a large section of your roof is leaking, you might have to pay more money. However, if only a small section of the roof is affected by this problem, you might not have to incur more charges.
Also, the ease of access might also contribute to the metal roof repair costs. In most cases, metal roofs usually leak due to rust or punctures from debris. Besides this, if there are missing screws or bolts, your roof might start leaking. Therefore, there is a need to maintain such roofs to prevent roof leaking and other roof problems.
Cost to repair water damage from a roof leak
It is imperative to note that roof water damage can cost $5.50 per square foot. However, this depends on how much material needs to be replaced due to roof water damage. If the affected material was severely damaged, you might have to dig deeper into your pocket. On the other hand, if only a small section got damaged, you may not incur more charges.
Here, the affected area has to be disinfected and repainted so that it retains its pristine condition. If roof leaks are not detected early, it might lead to water damage, and this might lead to more costs in the long run. Therefore, it is essential that you ensure that you repair all the affected areas are well repaired so that your home’s structural integrity is not affected at all. Besides this, you will prevent the growth of molds in your home.
What To Do If Your Roof Is Leaking?
If you notice that your roof is leaking, there are a number of things that you ought to do. First and foremost, you should move your valuables out of the way. By doing this, you will prevent them from getting damaged by water. From your bed to your furniture, there are many things that you should remove out of the way. Here are the other things that you should do in case your roof is leaking:
Cover what you cannot move
Although you might be in a position to dislodge a few things in your house, there are some items that might be too heavy for you to move. A good example is your sofa or even bed.
Also, some appliances might be too bulky to move from one location to another. In this case, it is always advisable that you cover them with plastic sheeting. By doing this, you will prevent such valuables from getting damaged by water.
Contain the water
Once you have moved your valuables out of the way, you can now try to contain the water as much as possible. The good news is that you can do this in several ways. One of them is using buckets or even garbage cans.
If you do not have these items, you can use a heavy towel. Generally, anything that can help you capture or collect water will be ideal for use. By doing this, you will minimize the impact of water damage in your house.
Try to relieve the water pressure
You should check on top of your roof and see if there are sections that have sagged. If there are any, chances are that water might be collecting on that spot. Ideally, this should not happen. Therefore, you should poke a hole in that area and let the water drain. Leaving the water alone can cause more damage when you least expect it.
Therefore, it is advisable that you use a screwdriver to puncture a hole in the sagging section. Ideally, you should target the lowest point where the roof has sagged. After that, put a bucket below that section and let the water drain to it. A single puncture is enough so that your roof does not get damaged extensively.
Take photos of the affected sections of your roof
If you have insured your home, you can now file an insurance claim if the damage is eligible for the claim. For optimal results, you should take photos of the affected sections so that you can justify your claims.
This will not only show how severe your roof has been damaged but also the state of other items in your home. If they have been damaged due to water damage, you will be able to get the much-needed compensation. In most cases, the insurance company usually fixes the affected sections and also replaces the damaged items.
Tarp the affected sections of your roof
In case you cannot have your roof fixed on the spot, you can tarp the affected parts. However, your roof must be safe to climb so that you can cover the affected area with a tarp. As you do this, remember that the leaking point might be challenging to find.
However, if you know the exact leaking point on your roof, you can go ahead and tarp that particular section. Ideally, you should use a tarp that is 6 mm thick. You should also spread it across the affected area so as to offer the much-needed protection.
Contact a professional roofer
As we speak, there are many professional roofers who can help fix your leaking roof. In case our roof is leaking, you should contact this professional as soon as possible. By doing this, you will prevent any potential water damage in the long run.
It is crucial that you choose a roofer who has adequate experience in this area. Besides this, the professional should charge reasonable prices and be available to work for you. If you choose a good roofer, you can be sure that you will get the value for your hard-earned money.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the best product for roof leaks?
If your roof is leaking, the best product that will help keep this problem at bay is liquid rubber waterproof sealant. The product mentioned above is capable of creating the much-needed protective membrane on shingle, metal, or rubber roofs that are either sloped or flat.
The sealant normally creates a rubber coating on your roof, thus making it to become more waterproof. Besides making your roof waterproof, the sealant is UV resistant. These factors make it ideal to use for all roof leak repairs.
2. Can a leaky roof be repaired?
Yes. If you have a leaking roof, you just need to hire a roofing professional to repair it for you. This expert will inspect your roof and then assess the affected parts. After that, the professional roofer will repair the roof. Consequently, your roof will get back to its pristine condition.
3. How long does the flex seal last on the roof?
Flex seal is capable of lasting up to 30 years on your roof without fading, cracking, or even deteriorating. However, to achieve this, you should spray it evenly and leave it to dry completely.
Final Thoughts
Although roofs are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, they usually degrade and start leaking at one time or another. If you notice that your roof is leaking, you should seek roof repair services as soon as possible so as to avoid water damage in your house.
As you seek these services, you should set a budget for this undertaking as the cost might vary depending on a number of factors. However, roof repair is worth the investment. Your roof will get back to its pristine condition, and your valuables will remain safe at home. Besides this, your home’s value will increase in the long run.