Leaks in the roof can significantly damage the interiors of your home. Hence, it is crucial to discover the underlying cause of leaks and get them repaired promptly. Although, it is a common problem that happens to everyone at some point in time.
Your roof is leaking even when you see streaks and stains on your ceiling, and it is worse when you see water droplets flowing in your home from such areas.Fortunately, roof repair is quick & easy you just have to hire right roofing contractors near you.
Leaks can happen at any point in time, and you may sometimes experience them on newly installed roofs.
You can avoid impending disasters if the issue is addressed on time. Today, we will talk about the 10 most common causes of roof leaks that you should watch out for.
- Broken Shingles
This issue is very easy to spot. Shingles make up the exterior layer of a roof and missing shingles are easily identified by noticing different coloured patches on the roof. It primarily happens because of heavy rains and high winds. You will need a quick repair to prevent the shingles from littering your yard.
- Faulty Flashing
Flashing is a crucial part of the roof, but several know nothing about it. Flashings are found around the joints (like the point where skylights and chimneys join the roof) and underneath the shingles of your roof.
It helps in making your roof completely waterproof, by establishing a watertight barrier, where it is needed. If the seal on the flashing breaks down or is not properly installed, water will seep through and cause leaks.
- The roof is not Adequately Designed for the slope
The slope is integral for the design of your roof. It helps in efficient drainage of water and causes your roof to operate the way it should be. Low-pitched roofs can also be leak-proof just as steeply pitched roofs. They need extra underlay material to make sure that it functions properly. Don’t work with roofing contractors who are unqualified for the job. When working with them, even new roofs can leak if the roof is not properly underlaid or is low-pitched.
- Trees
Tree branches and fallen trees are one of the major reasons, several homeowners experience leaky roofs. The main culprit is usually the toxic moisture of trees that are unhealthy or dead, and harsh weather conditions. Healthy trees may also fall and damage your roof, but they will not fall in moderate weather conditions.
You can prevent such mishappening by examining the trees present in and around your house, theones that are located at a striking distance from the roof of your home. Also, ensure that they are healthy. If you suspect the condition of the trees, call an arborist, who will either take down the tree or revive their condition.
- Age
One of the major reasons for leaking roofs is their age. The roof protects your home from elements and when maintained perfectly they may function properly for long. Even if nothing catastrophic has happened to your roof, it will reach the end of its life in 20-25 years.
- Wildlife
It is another major cause that causes your roof to leak. Wildlife seeks shelter in harsh weather conditions. Nothing can stop them from breaking through your roof if animals like racoons, rats, possums, etc. make an idea of seeking shelter in it.
- Clogged Gutters
When a gutter clogs at your roof, water pools. Roofs can not hold water for too long, although they are designed to be leakproof. As water falls on it, it should drain. The sheer weight of collected water on it will damage it, and cause leaks.
- Poor Venting
Improper venting of your roofs will cause leaks in two different ways. If your roof doesn’t have proper venting, moisture will build up in your attic and cause mildew and mold to grow on it. It lessens the integrity of your roof and will eventually result in causing leaks.
- Condensation in the Attic
Condensation and mold is usually experienced in the attic because it is used less. Regular maintenance of your entire house will help your house look pretty for long.
- Fascia Damage
Fascia and Soffits are at risk of getting damaged by water over time. Water will result in softened Fascia and as a result, holes are created. Small animals like squirrels and birds will find these holes and make the problem worse. It will, hence, result in leaking roofs.
Final Thought
If you suspect an issue of any kind on your roof, you should choose to get it repaired at the earliest to prevent further damage. A roof leak is a major inconvenience that can further cause a significant amount of damage to your home. Leaks in your roof can damage the structural integrity of your house that include damages done to the walls and ceilings. Finding the root cause of water leaking from the roof is essential to get it repaired efficiently.
