August 19, 2020 - Diwaligiftz

How to Repair a Loose Cement Tile Roof

Concrete or cement roof tiles are made with a mixture of cement, sand and water that is molded and dried in a kiln or tunnel. Pigments are added to the tiles to make them look like terracotta roofing tiles. Cement roof tiles are highly durable and crack resistant, with a marketed life expectancy of 40 years or more. They can come loose after extended exposure to strong winds, hail or earthquakes. Repair loose or cracked cement roof tiles by lifting up adjacent tiles and sliding new tiles under the wooden batten that holds the tiles to the roof.

Put on heavy work gloves and safety glasses. Ascend a ladder to the work area on the roof, taking the necessary tools.
Pry up the tile located above the loose tile with the flat end of a pry bar and the bend end facing down. Set the bend end of the pry bar gently down on the roof to prop the tile up. Do the same with the tile located directly to the left of the loose tile and the second pry bar.
Pull off any broken tile parts. Tap and crack any parts of the broken tile that will not pull out with a hammer and remove them. Tilt and lift the back end of the loose tile up and off the wooden batten, also called a hanger strip, on the roof.
Remove any loose nails from the loosened wooden batten with pliers. Replace the hanger strip if the wood is damaged or rotten. Nail the loose hanger strip onto the roofing felt with three even spaced roofing nails.
Slide the top horizontal ridge of the cement tile under the propped-up tile above and over the top edge of the wooden batten on the roof so that the top ridge on the cement tile rests on top of the wooden batten. Slide the left edge of the cement tile under the propped-up cement tile to the left.
Slide the pry bar out slowly from under the left tile and then slide the second pry bar out from under the top tile to finish installing the cement tile.

How To Repair A Tile Roof

Tile roofing is durable and adds great curb appeal to your home. All roofing will need some maintenance and repairs at some point. The following steps show you how to repair a tile roof. Should you not have the tools or time our team is always ready to help you repair your tile roof anywhere in the Phoenix Valley.

Step 1: Identify The Cause

Clay tiles may leak because of several reasons. While some issues will go beyond your roof and will be related to other things to do with roofing or the installation methods, some of the common issues with clay tiles are:

Broken tiles
Cracked tiles
Collection of debris on the roof valley
Worn out or defective waterproof membrane

In order to fix the leak, you will have to fix the issue that applies to you. Keep in mind that the clay roof tiles will break easily under pressure, so be sure to be careful whenever you are walking on your roof to find the cause of the leak.

Step 2: Fixing the Membrane

If the issue is in the waterproof membrane, then you will have to remove the existing tiles and replace the membrane with a new one. Then you will have to retile your roof. You may need the help of a professional for the removal and re-tiling.

Step 3. Removing the Debris

The roof valleys, especially closed ones will collect a lot of debris. This can cause leaks. To remove the debris, so there is no more leaking, you will have to remove the tiles from the area, then clean the area out, and lastly reinstall the tiles. You may consider wanting to covertyour roof valleys to be open to help to avoid any collection of debris within the future.

Step 4. Fixing cracks

If you happen to notice any fine cracks within the tiles, then you may repair them by applying RT-600 on the cracked tiles and then allow it to spread on the whole tile and let it dry.

Step 5. Fixing broken tiles

Tiles that have large cracks or are broken will need to be replaced in order to fix the leak. You will need to remove the damaged tiles using a pry bar. Use a hammer to help with the removal, but be careful to make sure that you will not damage the good tiles. If the roof is old, then the chances are that the tiles have been fixed using mortar. If this is the case, place the new tiles and use mortar to seal them in place.

Water-Testing for Roof Leaks

If you can’t find the cause of a leak from the attic or by visual inspection on the roof surface, wait for dry weather and ask a friend to help you do a water test. To do this, one person goes onto the roof with a garden hose; the other person goes inside the attic with a bucket and a strong light.

The person in the attic watches carefully while the one on the roof floods the roof with the hose, starting at the bottom (the eaves) and slowly working uproof until water from the leak appears in the attic. Once the leak is found, push a nail up through the hole to mark its location for rooftop repair. Mark the surface of the roof with chalk, if necessary.

Remove Damaged Slate Tile

The proper way to remove a roof slate tile utilizing a slate ripper. Jurin Roofing Services, Inc.

When slate tiles are damaged there usually are remnants of the tile left behind including nails. As a result, the second step in replacing a missing or damaged slate tile is to remove those remnants. This includes the nails used to attach the slate. This must be completed prior to the installation of the new slate tile.

Insert the top end of the slate ripping tool under the bottom edge of the slate tile or into the location where the tile is missing. You will notice that the slate ripper has a hook on either side of the top of the flat end of the ripper. The hooks are used to catch and cut the nails. As you catch the nail with the hooks, use your hammer to hit the handle of the slate ripper to drive the hook down against the nail. This will either cut the nail, or it will rip the nail out. Afterward, use the slate ripper to lift up on the slate and slide the slate out from its position.

What Causes Leaks at Valleys

Installing top flashing offers numerous advantages compared to other types of flashing available on the market, such as aluminum, lead, steel, or copper. Top flashing will effectively protect your tile roof from leaks in addition to being environmentally friendly and quick, hassle-free installation. Top flashing works well on virtually all flashing applications, offering durability and weather resistance.

How to Fix Leaky Roof Flashing

Most roofers will simply rely on sealants to waterproof difficult transitions; such as walls, plumbing stacks, or valley returns. As a result, sealants dry out and crack after a few years. So, while you believe your roof is performing well, the roof is slowly leaking with each rain causing havoc. Even when most roofers repair leaks, they again rely on sealants as waterproofing. In just a few years, the same leak is back.

Installing proper transition flashings using metal or flexible metal in these troublesome and high water volume areas is the correct way to fix a leaking roof. Using long-lasting materials ensures they will not break down from the exposure to sun or excess water flow.

Additionally, you should ensure your roof is inspected and/or maintained regularly to help it last up to twice as long. The most common areas to install flashing are around skylights, ridges, valleys, chimneys, and roof penetrations. Typically, flashing is the last line of defense before water damage.

Plumbing Leak Detection, Hidden Trouble of Pipe Corrosion

There are many reasons by a water pipe can be compromised, from corrosion to poor installation. No matter what the cause, if they aren’t repaired properly, they can end up putting a huge dent in your wallet.

Think you know everything about leaking pipes?

Whether it is a large gash in a pipe or a small pinhole drip, the water coming out disintegrates the materials the pipes are made from. So that small leak behind the wall you didn’t even know existed, will just get larger over time, leading to more damages and higher repair cost.

Hidden Trouble

Most water leaks are hidden from view, whether under a concrete slab or behind the kitchen sink. Hidden water leaks can be detected in higher than normal water bill, a musty odor, unexplained mold, warm areas on the floor, blistering paint and peeling wallpaper.

Wasted Water

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “The average family can waste 180 gallons per week, or 9,400 gallons of water annually, from household leaks. That’s equivalent to the amount of water needed to wash more than 300 loads of laundry.”

Tub and shower: Splash leaks

Splash leaks are simply water escaping past a shower curtain or a shower door. Plumbers tell us it’s the most common type of bathroom leak. Although it may sound minor, this leak causes major damage when water seeps into the subfloor where flooring meets the tub or shower. Before long the vinyl flooring or tiles begin to loosen. Even worse, the plywood subfloor delaminates and rots, requiring a huge, expensive tearout and replacement project.

Signs of trouble:

Curling vinyl flooring or loose tiles next to the tub.
Peeling paint or flaking, chalky-looking wood finish near the shower.
Water stains on the ceiling or joists below.
Mold spots on the wall or floor near the tub or shower.
If you use a curtain, look for standing water on the floor after you shower.

How to find the source of a bathtub drain leaking:

If you have a shower door, splash water all around the door and frame. Leaks around the frame may take five minutes or longer to show up.
If the door has rubber gaskets or a rubber door sweep, check them for gaps.
Also check for any gaps in the caulk where the shower or tub meets the flooring.

How to fix a leaking tub drain:

Be sure to overlap sliding doors correctly when you close them. The inner door should be closest to the faucet.
If you have a shower curtain rather than a door, make sure you close it completely when you shower, or add a splash guard.
Seal a leaking frame by running a small bead of tub and caulk around the inside of the frame. Force the caulk into any gaps between the frame and the shower surround. Quickly wipe away all the excess caulk. When the caulk dries, test for leaks again.
Replace any worn gaskets or door sweeps. Bring the old one to a home center or plumbing supply store and look for a matching replacement (be sure to get the correct size to fit).
If the old caulk along the floor shows gaps, scrape it out and run a new bead.

Smart ways to find hidden water leaks without destroying your house

A water leak can result in serious problems, especially if it goes unnoticed. If you even suspect you have a leak somewhere, there are a few clues and ways you can detect it before it’s too late.

Check out these fives tips on how to detect water leaks so you can correct and stop the problem before it gets out of control.

Monitor Your Water Meter

If you start to notice a higher water bill but you know that your water usage hasn’t increased, it’s a good sign that there’s a leak. Keep a close eye on your water meter to see if you detect any huge fluctuations. While you’re outside, make sure that there is no water source accidentally left turned on such as a garden hose. Turn all water off including inside water before you check the meter.

Next, take a closer look at the leak indicator and look for any movement. It depends on the type meter you have but for many, it’s a triangular-shaped dial. It may also look like a small silver wheel that spins when water flows through it. If either of these types of dials is turning after you’ve turned the water off, you likely have a leak. Another option is to take a reading and then wait an hour or two.

Take a second water meter reading to see if anything has changed. This is how to detect water leaks for most of your home. Just make sure you haven’t used any water during that hour to a two-hour window.

Check Your Faucets

For many homeowners, the source of a water leak stems from the faucets. A worn rubber washer is often the culprit and can be found underneath the handle. You can easily replace the washer if you have the correct tools. You will need to turn the water off under the sink, or at the main cutoff valve.

Next, remove the faucet handles to access the gasket. Most home improvement or hardware stores sell replacement gaskets and the tools you need to fix this simple, common problem.

How to Detect Water Leaks from Your Toilet

The toilet is another common culprit for water leaks, and it can often go unnoticed. A leaky toilet can waste several hundred gallons of water, which also means it can waste quite a bit of money.

Remove your tank lid and add a few drops of food coloring to the tank. Dye tabs are another easy alternative that can be purchased at many hardware stores.

Let the coloring saturate the water and wait approximately 30 minutes without flushing. If any color has come through the tank and into the toilet bowl, you likely have a leak.

Luckily, these types of leaks can often be resolved by replacing the flapper. The flapper has likely just worn out over time or become cracked which causes water to constantly flow from the tank into the bowl without you even noticing.

Another toilet-related red flag? If you need to jiggle the handle to keep your toilet from running, you likely have an issue with the flush bar and chain sticking.

You can fix this by adjusting the nut that secures this mechanism inside the tank. Or, you might need to replace the handle since it could be sticking.

Perform a Visual Inspection

Leaks coming from plumbing inside the ceiling or walls can slowly go unnoticed until it’s too late. You can stop these types of leaks before they get out of control with a simple visual inspection.

Take a closer look at your walls and ceilings in every room. If you notice unusual staining or discoloration, you could have a hidden leak. A burst pipe is definitely something you want to fix as soon as possible.

Be on the lookout for mold or strange dips and bowing the ceiling or walls. Water damage will cause the material to stretch and eventually cave in.

This isn’t something you should stress about too much, but an occasional visual check can’t hurt. Often, people don’t know about a serious leak until their ceilings are completely caved in.

Be Aware of Underground Water Leaks

Outdoor water leaks can get quite expensive to repair, so it’s important to know what to look for. If an area of your yard seems softer than others or you notice dark spots, this could be cause for concern.

If one particular area around your home seems to stay wet even after a dry spell, this is a red flag. You can also look closely near your driveway and street and see if you notice any unusual water flow.

Water flow doesn’t have to be a constant stream of flowing water. Even puddles that seem out of place may indicate that there’s a deep, underground leak.

If you suspect that you have an underground leak, call your local water or utility company as soon as possible. They have the tools and the know-how to further diagnose and fix the issue.

How to Connect a Water Softener Using Push Fittings

When your soap doesn’t lather and the toilet is staining, hard water could be the culprit. Hard water consists of large amounts of calcium, iron and magnesium minerals. Water softeners use an ionization process to capture these minerals and recharge the ions with sodium. Water softeners can be plumbed with copper, PEX or CPVC piping. Push-fit fittings create an opportunity for homeowners to forgo expensive plumbing equipment or soldering skills and install the system themselves.

Water Softener Installation

Close the main water supply valve and open all faucets. Drain water from the home’s plumbing.
Cut into the water supply line above the water softener using a pipe cutter. Allow enough space between the cuts for two push 90-degree elbow fittings to be installed.
Deburr the end of the pipe with a deburring tool. Deburring prepares pipe ends and removes sharp protrusions which can cut the gaskets inside the push fittings, creating future leaks.
Insert the push fitting 90-degree elbows into the water supply line and firmly push until completely seated.
Measure the distance from the 90-degree elbows on the main water supply to the bypass valve on the water softener.
Cut the pipe to the measured distance using a pipe cutter and deburr the ends.
Insert the pipe ends into the 90-degree elbow push fittings until fully seated.
Insert the other end of the pipes into the bypass valve on the water softener using the installation parts supplied by the manufacturer.
Close open faucets, open the main water supply valve and check for leaks.

Tips

Check code requirements in you area to insure proper and legal installation.
Push fittings can be removed and reused using a special removal tool.
Outside house bibs do not require soft water and should be plumbed upstream of the water softener.
PEX stands for cross-linked polyethylene, while CPVC stands for chlorinated polyvinyl chloride

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