DIY roofing repair in Guelph, Ontario can seem like a huge challenge if you have never done anything like it before, or you do not know how to diagnose the root cause of the problem. This is why we are here to guide you through the process, step by step.

Please bear in mind, however, that you are always better off seeking a licensed and insured roofing professional to come and give you a hand with your DIY roofing repair in Guelph. Even if you end up not taking their help (although you really should), you can be provided with a free estimate which will always be at an affordable, honest rate. 

With that in mind, let us hop right into the do it yourself world of roofing repairs, in particular, asphalt shingle roofs. 

Diagnosing the Cause of the Leak

If there has been a recent rainstorm or any gale-force winds which have left you with a leaky shingle roof after they have stopped, then you probably have a missing or damaged asphalt shingle. 

However, if you can't see any missing shingles or none of them seem to be harmed in any way, then you will need to carry on with the diagnosis. 

To do this, you will have to take a look at your roof's flashing, vent pipes and any chimneys to check for any breaks or damages. 

Once you are up on the roof checking everything, if you do notice any breaks in the flashing or cement, you will have to either repair it at the problem area or install some new flashing. But, if all seems to be in order here, you must analyse whether you have a good enough pitch for a shingle roof. 

After inspection, you will know what kind of grade your roof's pitch is. If it is less than 3 to 12 then your roof will undoubtedly be prone to experiencing leaks from heavy rain and windfall. On the other hand, if the pitch is 5 to 12 and over then, unfortunately, you will have to keep searching. 

The next thing to review is your roof's gables and side edges. Here, you will need to make sure that the gable flashing is underneath all the asphalt shingles on each gable side. 

If you discover that there isn't any metal flashing there, then your roof will need to be completely redone. That's not too much to worry about though, especially in the Guelph area, thanks to the renowned roofing repair professionals you have at your disposal. 

Finally, if you have checked absolutely everything that we have discussed here, there is only one thing that you can have a look at — ice dams or bad design. You may already know that your leaks are due to one of these two things (or both) so, if this is the case, you will need to hire a professional to come and address the issues. 

Side note: Ice dams form on the eaves of your roof if your area experiences long bouts of cold climate and snow. It stops water from escaping out from behind so, instead, the water penetrates through the roof shingles and inside your home. 

Unfortunately, you will need to get them sorted very quickly as the damage can become increasingly more expensive if you keep putting it off. 

Fixing the Problem

If you have a missing shingle, you can replace this yourself fairly easily if you have a basic understanding of how to use a hammer and how to secure a roofing ladder to work from it safely. 

You Will Need:

• Hammer
• 6-8 roofing nails
• Roofing ladder
• Roofing cement
• Putty knife
• Pry bar
• Replacement asphalt shingle(s)

How to Do It:

1. Take out the nails and remove any broken or rotten shingles that need to be replaced.
2. Round the corners of the upper shingle so you can slide the replacement shingle where the old one was, making sure it is underneath the shingles above it.
3. Line up the replacement shingle to the ones on either side of it and ensure the vertical lines match the pattern that is in place for other asphalt shingles.
4. Spread a little bit of roofing cement with the putty knife underneath the corners of your new shingle. 
5. Prise the above shingles away from the roof so you can hammer in one roofing nail in each corner of the new shingle. 
6. After that, put four more roofing nails along the nailing line around 1/2 an inch above the bottom of the shingle which overlaps the new one. 
7. Once you have hammered all of them in, place roofing cement over the nail heads. 
8. Now, you are all finished! 

When Hiring Professionals Is the Only Way to Go

If you can't fix the problem efficiently or fully then you need to get a professional in as soon as possible. You must hire a licensed roofer when you are:

• experiencing more than one leak
• experiencing a leak which is flowing across walls or structural framework so you can't find the exact source
• having trouble keeping a DIY repair in place
• experiencing a lot of damage to flashing and the surface of the roof due to a leak
• beyond your DIY limit due to the roofing surface being a certain material like ceramic 

Thankfully, DIY roofing repair in Guelph with the help of a family-owned, reliable and honest business could not be easier thanks to Turbo Roofing. 

Regardless of the size of the job, they can take care of it! From completely removing your roof and replacing it, to a little bit of refining and finishing, they take pride in delivering Guelph the absolute best in the roofing business. 

Not to mention that they are fully licensed and insured so you never need to worry about complications when they come to help you out on such a crucial aspect of your home. You are well and truly in safe hands here! 

References

https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/outdoor-projects/how-to/a3760/roof-repair-leaks-and-shingles/

https://www.roofcostestimator.com/how-to-repair-asphalt-shingles-roof-leaks/