Stanley FatMax Hook Blade Knife — Damaged shingles don’t need a saw or special tools—just a steady hand and the right blade. This hook-blade knife slides under curled or cracked tabs and makes clean, controlled cuts that match the factory shape. We use it all the time when doing small roof patches around Dunwoody. The curved blade helps avoid snagging the underlayment, and it’s sharp enough to slice shingles without tearing or shredding the edges. Whether you’re removing a single tab or cleaning up after hail, this knife is the tool that makes your patch look like it was never there in the first place.
Roof leak repair tools in Dunwoody, GA
Hear that steady drip into a bucket after a pop-up storm? That’s your ceiling crying out for help. Whether it’s a nail pop beneath the ridge cap, a cracked rubber boot, or a squirrel-chewed shingle, small gaps soak drywall fast in Georgia’s heavy summer air. Skip the infrared gizmos and helicopter crews; a sharp hook knife, a roll of flashing tape, and a trusty caulk gun will stop leaks before dinner. Our Dunwoody roofing crew keeps those same tools within arm’s reach, ready to lend advice or climb a ladder when neighbors spot a stain. All that, and before the next midnight downpour.
Why a quick patch today beats a ceiling collapse tomorrow
Roof leaks don’t wait for payday; they creep at chimney shoulders, skylight corners, and rusty nail holes, soaking insulation and warping decking fast. Fix a leak early and you’re out forty bucks and one hour on a ladder; ignore it and you’re ripping drywall, tossing soggy insulation, and repainting rooms. The tools below aren’t flashy—they’re the basics our crew trusts from Vermack Road to the Perimeter—and with them you can dry in a roof section quickly without late-night service fees or pricey gadgets. That’s straightforward peace of mind.
Slice out the bad shingle
Peel-and-stick lifesaver
Gorilla 4-inch Waterproof Patch Tape — You won’t always catch a leak when the sun’s out. This tape is what we keep in every truck for rainy-day emergencies. It sticks to shingles, flashing, tar paper, and even plywood, sealing out water instantly when time is short and tools are limited. Just peel, press, and smooth it down over the crack or hole. It won’t fix the roof forever—but it will buy you dry time until the weather clears and you can do the real repair. Great for homeowners too—keep a roll in your garage and you’ve got a quick fix for storms, surprise leaks, or squirrels that chewed where they shouldn't.
Seal like a pro
DAP Black Roof Sealant Quart — Whether you’re patching a nail hole, sealing chimney flashing, or touching up ridge caps, this thick, tar-like sealant is one of our go-to products. It’s simple, sticks to just about anything, and stays flexible in the Georgia heat without sagging or running. You don’t need to be an expert to apply it—just squeeze it into cracks, spread it with a putty knife or even a gloved finger, and let it cure. We use this sealant daily on everything from vent collars to skylight corners. It’s strong, affordable, and forgiving for first-timers.
Drive replacement shingles tight
Estwing 16-oz Roofing Hammer — Every roofer has a favorite hammer. This one’s ours. The magnetic face holds nails in place when your other hand is busy balancing, and the built-in gauge helps keep your rows of shingles straight and spaced properly. It’s the right weight for roofing work—not too heavy to handle on the roof, but solid enough to sink nails without a fight. Whether you’re doing a single patch or tackling an entire ridge line, this hammer makes the work feel right. It’s a solid investment for any homeowner doing occasional fixes themselves.
Flash it right
Amerimax 6-inch Aluminum Flashing Roll — Leaks love corners, walls, and chimneys. Flashing is your first line of defense, and this roll of aluminum is easy to cut and shape for a custom fit anywhere water tends to sneak in. We use it to wrap skylight edges, reinforce step flashing, and even patch valleys when the original metal is rusting out. It bends without cracking, slides under shingles easily, and holds up through summer sun and winter cold. You don’t need any special tools—just tin snips and a few roofing nails. For small jobs, one roll can go a long way.
Caulk gun that won’t clog
Dripless ETS2000 Caulk Gun — A good caulk gun should make your job easier, not messier. This one’s got a smooth trigger, a quick-release button, and—most important—it doesn’t drip when you set it down. That means you can stop and reposition without leaving sticky black sealant on your hands, tools, or shingles. It works great with roof tar, flashing sealant, and even heavy adhesives. We’ve tried the cheap ones, and they’re not worth it. This is the one we keep in every toolbox.
Brush on extra defense
Henry Wet Patch Roof Cement Brush-Grade — When a simple bead of sealant won’t cut it, this brush-grade roof cement steps up. It’s like waterproof paint for your roof—thicker, tougher, and designed to plug every tiny seam and crack. We use it after laying flashing or on chimney bases where rainwater likes to sneak in. Just brush it on with an old paintbrush or disposable bristle and give it a day to cure. It holds up through storms, sun, and ice. It’s not pretty, but it gets the job done—and that’s what matters.
Stay secured up top
Roof-Work Safety Harness Kit — No job is worth your safety. Whether you’re replacing a shingle or sealing a vent pipe, if your roof is steeper than a gentle slope or you’re more than one story up, this harness is a must. We use it on every job that takes us off the ground. It comes with a full-body harness, anchor strap, and lanyard—everything you need to stay clipped in and protected. It’s easy to put on, folds away neatly, and costs less than a trip to urgent care. Every homeowner who plans to step onto a roof should have one, period.
Pinpoint the leak before you patch
When you see a water stain on the ceiling or feel moisture in the attic, don’t just assume it’s right above the problem—roof leaks often travel several feet from where they start. Begin your inspection inside. Head into the attic with a headlamp and look around rafters, plywood seams, and vent pipes. The wettest spot, usually high up near a nail or fastener, is your leak source. Once you spot it, go outside and use binoculars to check the same area from above—look for cracked shingles, curled edges, or exposed fasteners. Rust streaks along flashing or nails sticking up could be the culprits. To avoid yanking up half your shingles, keep a RIDGID Inspection Mirror Telescoping in your toolbox. It lets you peek under tabs or behind flashing without damaging anything—perfect for narrow spots or when you’re trying to avoid pulling up shingles that are still good.
Emergency stop-gap during a storm
Sometimes the leak starts while it’s still raining, and you don’t have time to wait for the roof to dry. That’s when a quick patch can save your drywall, flooring, or furniture. Keep a small kit in your garage or shed—nothing fancy: just a roll of waterproof patch tape, a folded plastic tarp, some 1×2 boards, and a drill with a few screws. If water’s dripping, dry the area as best you can with a towel, press down the patch tape firmly across the crack or hole, and then drape the tarp over the problem area. Anchor it with the boards, placing one across each edge, and screw them into the decking or trap them with bricks if you can’t drill. This setup won’t win awards, but it’ll hold long enough for the storm to pass. We’ve used it ourselves when customers called in a panic—15 minutes of prep can save thousands in interior damage while you wait for a dry day to do a real repair.
Proper shingle patch in five steps
Once the weather’s clear, patching a shingle the right way isn’t complicated, and you don’t need contractor gear to do it well. Here’s how we handle it on homes all around Dunwoody. Step 1: Use a roofing hammer to carefully pry up the damaged shingle tab and the nails holding it down. Step 2: Slice out the damaged section cleanly using a roofing hook knife—cut straight to avoid catching adjacent tabs. Step 3: Slide in a new matching shingle tab underneath the row above so it overlaps just like the original did. Step 4: Nail it down just above the adhesive strip—not too low or water will find the fasteners. Step 5: Use a dab of roofing sealant to cover the nail heads and press down the tabs for a tight bond. That’s it. No blowtorches, no heat guns—just a clean patch with the right materials and a steady hand.
Flashing fixes that last
Most roof leaks we repair around chimneys, walls, or dormers come down to bad or missing flashing. The good news? You can fix it with just a few tools and a piece of aluminum. Measure the area that needs coverage and cut a piece of aluminum flashing to size using tin snips—it doesn’t have to be perfect, just big enough to overlap a few inches past the leak point. Slide it gently under the row of shingles or under the siding above the step flashing, depending on where the water’s coming in. Fasten it with galvanized roofing nails—use at least two per side, and don’t overdrive them. Once it’s in place, seal over the edges and seams with brush-grade roofing cement, especially anywhere two metal pieces overlap. This is one of those jobs where neatness matters. A well-fitted flashing patch can hold for years, even through Georgia rainstorms and freeze-thaw cycles.
Semi-annual leak patrol routine
One of the best ways to prevent emergency repairs is to do a quick patrol of your roof twice a year—every April and October is a good rhythm for our climate. You don’t need to be a roofer to do it either. Just walk the roof gently (or inspect from a ladder if you're not comfortable walking it), and look for soft spots under your feet—these are signs the decking might be getting wet from underneath. Check the ridge, the valleys, around vents, and any flashing near chimneys or walls. Use your hand to press gently on suspicious spots and a grease pencil to mark anything that feels spongy. Dab any exposed nails with a squeeze of roofing tar to prevent rust and slow leaks. Then sweep away debris like pine needles, twigs, and acorns—anything that could trap water or block it from draining off. This whole process takes 15-20 minutes tops, and it's exactly how we’ve helped homeowners in Dunwoody avoid bigger repairs for years. Simple work, big savings.
Ready to keep the rain outside where it belongs?
Our crew patches roofs Monday through Saturday—no late-night fees, no gadget upsells, just honest fixes and the tools to DIY if you’d rather. Call, text, or wave when our dusty blue pickup rolls past your Dunwoody driveway, and we’ll get you leak-free before the next cloudburst.
Shop Roof Leak Tools- Phone: (470) 888 0030
- Address: Dunwoody, GA