How to repair a garage roof leak

Leaky garage roof? You don’t have to break the bank to sort it out in time for summer! Whether you need to repair a small leak or a large leak, our easy step-by-step guide will teach you how.

What you’ll need:

• Ladder
• Hard bristle broom / brush
• Paint scraper
• Safety Glasses
• Safety Gloves
• Paintbrush
• Chalk

Step 1: Start Cleaning

Firstly, using a ladder, safely climb up onto your roof. Once up there, remove all loose dirt and debris with a hard bristle broom or brush as well as any water – some solutions are unaffected by rain or wet surfaces, but we recommend the application takes place on a dry surface. For stubborn dirt, moss, or green growth we recommend you use a paint scraper.

Step 2: Mark out the Area

Some small leaks are hard to find, which is why once you’ve found the small leak, we recommend you outline it with chalk.

Step 3: Apply Roof Coating

Some roof repair coatings can be applied straight from the tin – no primer needed. Using a paintbrush apply the roof repair solution onto the marked area – make sure you cover the full area.

Step 4: Wait to Dry

Some roof repair coatings are watertight immediately, but we recommend you do not touch until fully dry.

Repairing a Large Leak – Up to 10mm wide

What you’ll need:

• Ladder
• Hard bristle broom / brush
• Paint scraper
• Safety Glasses
• Safety Gloves
• Paintbrush
• Mesh scrim

Step 1: Start Cleaning

The same as the small leak – once you’re safely on your roof, remove any dirt and debris with a hard bristle broom or brush and any stubborn moss or green growth with a paint scraper – we recommend the surface is dry.

Step 2: Apply Roof Coating

Again, the same as the small leak, apply the roof repair solution on the damaged area with a paint brush – be sure to also apply about 20cm around the crack.

Step 3: Apply the Mesh Scrim

Mesh scrim gives additional strength, helps stop cracks from reappearing and bridges larger cracks. Lay a small section of the flexible reinforcement mesh scrim on top of the already applied roof repair solution – make sure the mesh scrim is flat.

Step 4: Apply a Second Coat

Using the same paintbrush, apply a second coating of the roof repair solution on top of the mesh scrim. To secure a total seal the mesh scrim should be completely covered and no longer visible.

And that’s all there is to it! Now go and enjoy your leak free garage.

Top tip: To avoid another garage roof leak, make sure your gutters and your garage roof are both free from dirt, debris and green growth, as well as ponding water – especially if your garage roof is flat. While you’re up there, be sure to check on the seams and overlaps of the roofing material – this is a common area leaks originate from. You could also completely seal or waterproof your flat garage roof. If you wanted to do this, you could follow either of the two processes, just on a larger scale – the mesh scrim gives additional support.

Have you seen our bundles?

Fix your small roof leak or your large roof leak, with Solseal’s bundle deal – Acrypol Plus With Fibres Waterproof Roof Coating and Acrypol Flexible Reinforcement Mesh / Scrim. Your roof will thank you for it!