Has your roof started leaking?
We feel for you! Few things are more distressing to a homeowner than seeing water coming into their house. Indeed, one measly inch of it can cause over $26,000 of damage.
That’s enough to make anyone’s stress levels go, well, through the roof.
And it’s even worse when a leaky roof itself seems to be at fault. Roofing repairs don’t have a reputation for being cheap! Alas, ignoring the problem will only make matters worse.
One thing at a time though.
The first essential step is to identify the cause of the leak. From there, finding an appropriate repair gets far easier. Have you sprung a leak in your roof?
Read on to discover 6 primary causes of roof leaks so you can fix it ASAP.
Table of Contents
1. Your Shingles Are Suffering
Broken shingles are one of the most common causes of roof leaks.
It makes sense. They form the top layer of your roof, which puts them in direct contact with the elements. They’re on the front line against the weather.
Heavy rainfall, snow, and gusty winds could all lead to leaking roof tiles.
Head outside and take a look at the roof. There’s a good chance that you’ll be missing a shingle or two, which makes that area of the roof vulnerable to leaks.
Another clear sign of missing shingles is when you find the remnants of them laying in the garden. In high winds, they’ll blow off the roof and shatter on the ground. If this has happened, be sure to identify the area on your roof from where they came.
2. Your Gutters Are Groaning
Can’t see any broken or missing shingles?
Well, don’t go back inside just yet.
Stop to take a good look at your gutters as well. These are another potential cause of your leaking roof if they’ve gotten clogged.
Excessive debris in your gutters means water can’t flow down them as it should. A makeshift dam forms, which causes rainwater to pull in one spot. With no way down the gutter, it’ll then find other ways to disperse.
There’s a chance that it’ll start seeping into your home through any minor crack in the area. Get up there and clear out the detritus that’s gathered. The water will start flowing again, preventing it from pulling and seeping in.
Of course, prevention is better than a cure. The good news is that you can avoid this situation by cleaning your gutters at regular intervals.
3. Your Flashing Is Failing
Cracks in your flashing is another common cause of a leaky roof.
Take a look at your roof- in particular over the joints and around the base of your chimney. Do you see a thin sheet of metal placed over it?
That’s the flashing.
It’s there to seal your roof’s edges and prevent water from getting in. There’s a chance it will have been covered up with a rubber coating (to make it look nicer!).
Anyway, leaks occur when the seal that binds flashing together starts to wear away. Water can get into your house as soon as that happens. Call the professionals, like this company, to resolve the issue.
4. Your Skylight Is Suffering
Everybody loves a skylight.
They’re the perfect solution for letting natural light into your home. You can open them up on hot, stuffy days to get some air inside and enjoy incredible views as well.
However, it’s all too common for them to be installed incorrectly.
They have to fit like a glove into the slot that’s left for them.
Any slight gap around the edges of the skylight leave and your roof is open to leaks. It’s a window of opportunity as far as the water’s concerned. Of course, cracks in the window pane itself might also be at fault.
Check for gaps, cracks, and worn out seals. You may need to replace flawed flashing, reseal with silicone, or seek professional help to find the fault.
5. Your Valleys Aren’t Vacating (Water)
Take note of your roof valleys.
These are the areas where two sloped sections of your roof connect. Just like a river valley, rainwater flows down into it from the surrounding ‘hillsides’.
The roof valley must be sealed properly to remain watertight. If a leak seems to have developed around the valley, then there’s a chance that isn’t the case. Water seeps into the gaps as opposed to running down the valley and off the roof.
As it happens, the seal might have been faulty from the word go. Alternatively, it might have worn away through time and bad weather.
Given the complexity of the problem, the best way to resolve it is to call the professionals. They’ll have the tools and expertise to help.
6. Your Roof Is Running On Borrowed Time
Finally, your roof might just be getting on a bit.
Your roof has been doing its job for decades, protecting you from bad weather and keeping everybody warm and dry. Like everything in life, though, it can’t continue to operate 100% effectively forever.
There’s a chance that your roof has gotten to a point where it needs general repairs and replacements. The materials in numerous spots may have worn away, broken, and become unfit for purpose. Tar seals may have melted, shingles may have cracked, and so on.
When was the last time you had a professional take a look at the roof? It might be time to get someone in to give it a general once over. Only then will you stop the leaks once and for all.
Time to Fix Your Leaky Roof
There’s nothing worse than springing a leak at home.
It’s stressful, frustrating, inconvenient, and spells practical and financial trouble. Only by taking swift action to fix your leaky roof will you stop the situation from getting any worse.
By identifying the cause, it should be easier to take steps to resolve the problem. Hopefully, this post will help you do it.
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