Wednesday, October 14, 2009

What To Do About A Mobile Home Roof That Is Leaking

Address a leak in a mobile home roof as soon as you notice it to avoid further damage to the ceilings. Most mobile home owners can accomplish repairs without purchasing specialized tools and equipment. Metal roofs require refastening any loose areas and re-coating with the proper sealant. Shingled roofs will require replacement of loose and damaged shingles. Does this Spark an idea?

Metal Roofs


Determining the source of the leak can be tricky; water can travel along the roof ribs for some distance before it makes an appearance on the interior ceilings. Thoroughly examine the metal roof for cracks or holes in the roof coating. Check along the edges where it rolls over the top edge of the mobile home. Blown-in water will enter in these areas. Reattach any loose areas with screws.


Older metal roofs will form low areas between the roof ribs. Sweep any standing water off the roof, and allow drying before re-coating. Apply roof coating with a brush or roller to seams covering exposed screws. If the roof has not been coated in the last 2 to 3 years, a complete re-coating is required. Choose a warm sunny day with no rain forecasted for the next 24 hours to apply the coating.


Shingled Roofs


Examine a shingled roof from the ground using binoculars. Look for loose or missing shingles, paying close attention to any shingles that appear darker than others. The shingles that appear darker can signify dampness is present. Check any valleys and flashing for signs of dampness.


Remove and replace any damaged shingles. Work carefully to avoid damaging the adjacent shingles.


Apply roof coating to shingled roofs using a brush or roller. Use a roof coating that is specifically recommended for this application


Gutters and Downspouts


Examine the gutters, and clean out any debris that has accumulated. Use a water hose to determine proper drainage of the gutters. Raise the gutter when low spots become evident. Accumulated water will damage the edge of the roof and can appear on the interior walls.







Tags: roof coating, mobile home, appear darker, Apply roof, Apply roof coating, brush roller, damaged shingles