Avoid headaches by learning about the potential causes of roof leaks and how to deal with them. Your home is what keeps you and your family safe and sheltered. While a leaky roof may seem a minor issue that you can ignore for as long as you can, it can turn into a nightmare.
Nobody wants a leaky roof. It could mean that you need to take out a bucket every time it rains and keep an eye out on the weather news, which is impractical and troublesome. What’s worse is that a small drip in your home could mean that your roof is having more serious issues. Maintenance and prevention can help you avoid some of the most common causes of roof leaks.
You have broken shingles on your roof
Broken shingles are easy to spot on your roof and are one of the most common causes of roof leaks. Any areas that show different-colored patches could mean one or two shingles are broken or not in their proper places. It’s also easy to spot if your roof is missing a shingle. This situation could happen after heavy rain or storm, and you might even find the missing piece in your yard.
When this happens to your roof, you need to carefully pull out the damaged shingle and replace it with a new one. You would need to lift the affected shingle until its nail pops, then press down the shingle as you continue to remove the nail. Secure the new shingle using four new roof nails.
There’s a crack on your roof flashing
Roof flashing is the thin metal material placed under your shingles to direct water away from the roof’s critical areas. Of all different causes of roof leaks, this one might be hard to spot. It can be an exposed or concealed part of your roof that roofers install around features, such as chimneys, vents, and skylights.
When sealing the flashing, roofers often use tar, which can corrode over time. Also, your roof flashing can get cracks when exposed to rain or wind.
When you spot the source of the leak in your flashing, you need to take out the cracked segment. Pry up the nails used to secure the flashing and lift the shingles covering it. Replace the flashing with a new one. Set and fasten it in the same pattern as your old flashing and secure it into place using roofing nails. Finally, apply a coat of roofing sealant to the nail heads.
The valleys on your roof are not properly sealed
Your roof valley is where the two slopes meet on your roof and where the water accumulates to flow off the roof. If the valley is not installed properly, it can be one of the more costly causes of roof leaks.
It doesn’t only happen due to installation problems. Your valleys can also crack if it gets stepped on or once it erodes due to excess rain and ice that stayed on it for a long time.
When you experience this problem, you need to get a new layer of leak barrier along your existing valley. The process can be complicated, so let the professional roofers handle this problem for you.
You have clogged gutters
Clogged gutters is one of the most preventable causes of roof leaks. When you have clogged gutters, it can cause excess water to collect and overflow around your home’s foundation. Rainwater will pour over the gutter’s sides and gather around the foundation. This weight can cause cracks in the house’s foundation in the long run, and a damaged base can lead to structural impairment to your home.
You must clean the gutter by getting up there and manually removing the accumulated debris with your hands. Bring a disposal bag to collect and get rid of the debris you’ll gather.
Conclusion: Catch the Causes of Roof Leaks Early
Roof damages are unavoidable. Whether you have a new or old roof, you’ll experience any of these problems when rainstorms, heavy winds, and long winters come. However, you can prevent leaks on your roof if you know how to maintain and care for it properly. The early you can spot these common causes of roof leaks, the better.
Improve the quality of your roof further by adding spray polyurethane foam on it. We have a 15-year no-leak warranty that ensures your roof is protected against leaks for the years to come. If you’re from Walnut Creek, CA, and want to learn more about our services, don’t hesitate to contact us.