DIY: Repairing Roof Leaks

Another DIY so soon!! Well, it's just a coincidence for another DIY and since it required repair urgently as it rains almost daily these days. Based on the previous encounter, I suspected it's due to the rain-gutter, especially at its joint. Over time they tend to loosen and this gives way to leaks. Like in the previous case of DIY, I took this opportunity to record the repair procedure.

A word of caution. Working on a roof can be dangerous. It should be done when the roof is completely dry. A wet roof is slippery and very risky. Wear a rubber-soled shoes as it provides the best traction when working on a roof. If you are not handy enough, your best bet is to call a roof-repairer! Ha Ha

Tools and material required:
A tin of roof-tar (about 500g would be sufficient for a simple leak)
A screw driver for opening the tin;
A spatula for spreading the tar over the leaks;
A piece of used cloth to cover the leak area;
A piece of aluminum foil to be double folded - normally use for baking cakes or browning, etc;
A pair of scissors to cut the above two items when on the roof to required size;
A brush and some rags to clean up the area, if there is a need.


The scene of a roof


The couple of tiles removed. Most of the roofs in local houses are just overlapping each other, so it's quite easy to remove. It's a matter of pushing up one tile, then lift the adjacent tiles and letting it slide down carefully. Small wonder these days burglars make their ways using this method. Maybe consider nailing the tiles to the roof with such feature for additional security!


The location the leaks is covered with dirt. Need to clean this up.


Put a layer of tar over the overlapping metal sheets. Then, lay down a piece of cloth over the tar layer. The piece of cloth helps to secure the tar over the metal sheets.


Apply another layer of tar over the cloth.


And finally, a piece of aluminum foil is to be pressed down to the tar using some cloth to smoothen it.

Job done.
Hip Hip Hooray!!

PS: There was rain 6 hours later. Despite the heavy pour, there was no dip from the roof/ceiling. And it looks like the batch over the leak was successfully done.

Je peux, Vous pouvez et Tout le monde peut ;-)