Leaking Roof
As a homeowner, It's no news the level of inconvenience you suffer due to having a leaking roof. For example, picture yourself waking up to the sound of water pouring from your ceiling to your floor in the middle of a chilly, rainy night. That is something you must attend to quickly.
An old roof or a few missing shingles are two potential reasons for a leaky roof. This can result in costly and severe damages. Also, it may be harmful to your health.
When these issues develop, it is wise to find a solution immediately. Let’s dive into what to expect and the best action to keep your home safe and dry. Keep reading.
Most Common Causes of a Leaking Roof
The most typical causes of roof leaks include an old roof or clogged gutter. If you ignore these issues, it could have severe impacts on your home's structural integrity.
Below are four causes of roof leaks on modern homes.
1. Age of the Roofing Material
One of the lead causes of a leaking roof is that the roofing materials are beyond their prime. Although, most of these materials are made to survive for many years, over time, their level of protection will decline, and they will become less immune to water infiltration.
It is possible to reduce the dangers of a leaky roof by performing routine upkeep. For example, cleaning moss from your roofing materials.
2. Clogged Gutters in the Valley
A valley forms when two roof slopes intersect into a V shape. The shape allows water to flow from your roof freely. The gutter will run into a valley that stops in the middle of a roof so that water can continue to fall.
However, the gutter is an area easily accessible to sticks, dirt, and fallen leaves and become clogged quickly, and then this material grows. Clogs prevent melting snow and rain from freely draining or falling away from your home’s roof. And this leads to a leaking roof.
3. Poorly Installed Roof Vent
A roof vent is a metal pipe that emerges from the roof and has a cap on it. Roof vents help heat and moisture escape from the home’s attic. They also help channel out carbon monoxide from any gas-powered items.
Most times, these roof vents are installed by HVAC experts. And they do this upon completion of the roof. Hiring HVAC workers without proper skills or experience leads to poorly installed roof vents. Then the vents could provide channels for water to seep into your home.
4. Spoiled or Poorly Installed Flashing
A leaking roof may also be caused spoiled or poorly installed flashing. A vital part of a secured roof is flashing. It helps your roof's joints to be well sealed and guarded to help prevent water intrusion. It also helps prevent the intrusion of unwelcome bugs.
However, if your flashing develops cracks or is poorly installed, it can quickly become the ideal location for a roof leak that can lead to major problems.
In most cases, age-related wear-and-tear, direct collisions, or misplaced fasteners can cause flashing to become damaged. It is easy to notice these changes, and you need to take a good look at them.
Risks Caused by a Leaking Roof
Most people think having a leaking roof comes with no risks. Well, below are two major risks.
The Structural Risks:
When the wooden parts of your home regularly absorb water from a leak, long-term damage will be caused by decay and dry rot.
In severe cases, dry rot may cause a house to collapse by weakening critical structural parts. Even your plaster or drywall ceiling may grow weak and could fall in on you because of an ignored leak.
As a result of your ceiling falling, injuries can occur when you are struck by large pieces. Inhaling, ingesting, or getting small pieces in your eyes can also be harmful.
The Health Risks:
To most people, it may not seem dangerous to sleep in a room with a small, black area on the ceiling caused by ongoing water damage. And this mark often appears after doing more severe but undetected damage above.
The severity of the damage depends on the climate where you live. Water buildup from a leaky roof creates the ideal environment for mold, mildew, and algae growth.
While mold is typically easy to remove, it might lie unnoticed for a long time. Pets who are exposed to mold may experience health issues. Also, people who have allergies or asthma may experience increased symptoms.
Signs of a Leaking Roof
Some important signs that tell you your roof is leaking include.
Your Exterior Walls Will Have Spots
Spots on your exterior walls are a sign of growing problems. It may be a sign that the step flashing, which connects the roof to the wall, has a problem.
Over time, this flashing may come loose or degrade, enabling rainfall to seep through and leave dark blotches on the wall.
Your Ceiling Will Have Water Stains
If you notice a wet mark on your ceiling, your roof is likely leaking. Water stains tend to create a dark outer ring with internal discoloration. They will spread if not handled, and may ruin the structural integrity of your house.
Strong, Musty Smells
A strong, musty smell is the easiest sign to notice. You need to pay attention to any musty smells you can detect in your house. There is a good possibility that water damage and mold are present in the space.
How to Prevent a Leaking Roof
The best way to prevent having a leaking roof is to conduct routine roof maintenance. Here are some tips on how to maintain your roof.
- Always check your roof vents, especially the vent boots, for cracks. Check the chimney. If you notice small cracks, apply caulk to repair it.
- Do weekly checks to see if any trees are too close to your roof, and if there are, trim back any limbs and branches to prevent damage.
- If you find any cracked or twisted shingles, be sure to replace them.
- After a storm, look for any damage, such as missing or loose shingles or any opening that can leak.
- Finally, ensure that leaves or other trash do not gather in the gutters. That will help water drain from your home as intended.
When Should You Get in Touch with an Expert Roofer to Fix Your Roof?
There is no better time than when you became aware of the leak. The sooner the leak is discovered and repaired, the better.
You don’t know what damage has already been done under the surface. If a leak has already started, there is a good chance additional issues will become apparent soon.
What Will it Cost to Fix the Leak in Your Roof?
You now have a solid idea of what’s responsible for your leaking roof. Still, unless an expert inspects your roof from above, you won't know whether you require repairs or a complete roof replacement. And this raises the question of price.
Unfortunately, the roofing business tries to avoid discussing costs. That’s because different situations require different solutions and there is no one-size-fits-all price. Therefore, you need to seek a credible company offering you the best of services. So start searching.