Top 11 Most Common Causes of Roof Leaks (and how to prevent them)
Roof leaks occur more often than you may think; in fact, according to some sources as many as 50% of roofs have some sort of leak . While leaks can range from minor and annoying to major and expensive, there are steps you can take to prevent most common causes of roof leaks from happening in the first place. Here are the top 11 common causes of roof leaks and how to prevent them.
#1: Damaged Flashing
A flashing is a thin strip of metal installed on the roof under shingles to create a water-resistant barrier, which can be concealed or exposed. They'll look like long rows of roofing metal, and when unbroken, will have a rubberized cover. Breaks in flashing will display large splits.
Why It Happens:
If tar was used to seal the flashing together, this will start to corrode after a while. In the event that you're exposed, it's due to the way your flash system might deteriorate in adverse weather like heavy rain or harsh winds.
How To Fix It:
In order to find the location of the leak, remove the nails holding up the old flashing. Next, remove any old roofing that may be in the way and remove the cracked area. If the flashing needs to be replaced, remove the old flashing and replace it with the new one. Put the new flashing in the same pattern as the old, then apply a sealant over the nails. Check the chimney periodically to make sure that moisture can't get in.
#2: Missing or Damaged Shingles
There It Is: Look up! Shingles, being the exterior layer of a roof, you can usually spot missing shingles by observing oddly colored patches on your roof. Alternatively, you may see the shingles scattered all over your yard after a heavy storm.
Why It Happens:
Again, this phenomenon is attributable to changes in weather patterns. Rough weather is making roads slippery.
How To Fix It:
Push a pry bar beneath the row of nails that connect the damage shingle to the one below it, and lift it up until the nail pops. Press down on the shingle while removing the nail. Do this with all of the remaining nails. Remove the damaged shingle, put a new one in its place, and secure it with four new nails. You can seek help from a professional roofing company to address this problem properly.
#3: Improperly Sealed Valleys
An area where two planes of roof meet. Areas of the roof are usually sloped and can accumulate rainwater, so if the valleys are not sealed, this water will enter your home. You can identify a leak by searching for a wet spot on the seams of your roof.
Why It Happens:
A number of factors can lead to sealing cracking. Sealing may not have been applied properly from the beginning, it might have cracked when someone stepped on it, or environmental factors might have eroded it over time.
How To Fix It:
Unless you're an expert on the topic, you should hire a professional. Your roofer will likely fix the problem by installing a new leak barrier along the valley and covering it with shingles.
#4: Vent Booting Is Cracked
Basically, a roof vent is that thin, cylindrical black part that's on top of your roof. It has a vent hole at the top to get rid of moisture. A leak in the roof leaves dark spots and mustiness on the inside.
Why It Happens:
What might be the result: Usually, roof vents are sealed with a tight, rubber boot slipped over the area where the pipe protrudes from the roof. Consequently, flashing may corrode or peel away and a leak in the roof may develop.
How To Fix It:
Use a knife to take the seal around the vent off. To reach the shingles below the seal, use a pry bar. Carefully slide the new rubber boot onto the shingles, around the vent, and back down onto the roof. Affix the new boot with roofing nails to either side and then seal it with caulking for longevity. When considering shingles for your roof, it might be wise to buy more than you think you'll need. This way, if any need to be replaced later, you will have the appropriate shingles.
#5: Ice Dam Buildup
When this ridge of ice (formed at the edge of a roof) melts and doesn't allow water to drain off, an ice dam is formed. Together, the weight of the ice can weaken the roof's integrity, as well as damage it due to the amount of water pooling atop it.
Why It Happens:
Due to your attic's (and the rest of your house's) temperature being well above freezing, some of the snowfall that you get despite the cold temperatures outside melts. The melted snow that runs off the roof's surface and hit's the house's exterior, will then freeze again into ice as it re-solidifies.
How To Fix It:
Invest in a roof rake, which looks like a sideways shovel with a long handle, and use it to rake off the lower four feet of snow from the roof edge. When you notice an ice dam, use an ice melt product in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. As winter draws nearer, find a way to clear snow off your roof.
#6: Skylights Are Improperly Installed
Some examples of these are leaks which are easy to spot. If you notice a wet spot or consistently need to put drip buckets by the side of your skylights, you have discovered the source of the problem. Still, there may be wet spots near the top of the skylight due to flashing issues.
Why It Happens:
There are two common causes for this type of leak. If you don't measure and install the skylights properly or insulate the edge of the skylights, then problems may arise.
How To Fix It:
Clear any debris off of the skylight and inspect the glass window for cracks. To seal cracks, put a thick layer of clear silicone on it, if necessary. To make sure that it's not the only cause, check the surrounding flashing and replace any parts as needed. While skylights may look attractive, they can pose a problem with moisture unless they are carefully sealed.
#7: Gutters Are Clogged
You might be able to see leaves that got caught in the gutters when you look up on your roof. If not, you should notice the lack of water streaming out of the downspouts during a rainfall.
Why It Happens:
The job of your gutters is to help water flow away from the roof. When they get clogged and blocked, water cannot flow through and down the side of the house. Rainwater will then congregate on one part of the roof and more easily soak through holes.
How To Fix It:
Reach for a ladder and take your time inspecting it. Several recommendations from the website advise that you should cover the area where you are working with a large tarp. That way, if you drop any debris, you can simply wrap it up for disposal later. Clean your gutters in the spring and fall for the best drainage possible.
#8: Cracked Chimney
Look for indications of wear and tear near the top of the chimney. You should also look for any joints where the chimney joins the roof. So in addition to that, keep an eye out for unsecured flashing and shingles.
Why It Happens:
Basically, mortar is a thick mixture of water, sand, and cement that is vulnerable to the environment.
How To Fix It:
In some cases, you need to find the source of the leak and fix the missing mortar. But because the materials used for chimney repairs are different than those for regular roofing fixes, it is advisable to hire a professional chimney repair contractor. If there is a space next to your fireplace and a cracked chimney cap, the issue is the fireplace, not the cap.
#9: Condensation In Your Attic
Most likely, a leak is coming from your attic if there are signs of mold or mildew in the space or if you can smell water leaking inside.
Why It Happens:
The attic is located between two opposing forces, the heated indoor climate and the cooler outdoor climate. When these two clash - like during summer when it's hot and during winter when it's cold - it causes condensation to form and humidity to arise.
How To Fix It:
Before anything else, you need to address any visible mold growth, then work to insulate your attic to protect it from fluctuating temperatures. First make sure the roof vents are free of blockages and installed a ventilation fan, if necessary. Do make sure the attic is adequately ventilated and not blocked off from the inside to avoid mold or condensation, which can cause a leak.
#10: You’re Using It Too Much
It is impossible to determine whether this is the cause of the leak. We recommend that homeowners exercise caution while they are on their roof.
Why It Happens:
A lot of roofing material is very fragile, so you should take extra care not to accidentally damage it by, for example, stepping on a key component or damaging a brittle seal.
How To Fix It:
As much as possible, avoid walking on your roof. Throw the Frisbee away and buy a new one. Find a professional roofer and ask them to fix your roof for you so that you don't have to go up there and risk injury yourself.
#11: Age of Roof
Why It Happens:
An asphalt shingle roof relies on the flexible quality of petrochemical oils in the asphalt. These oils allow the shingles to expand and contract with weather changes. But over time, the oils dry out, and the shingles start to lose their water shedding ability. This can happen very quickly in some cases.
How To Fix It:
Simply find a roofing contractor to fix your roof and let them handle the dangerous side of the job for you.
Do you remember the last time you had a leak in your roof? If so, how did you fix it? Do you know of any roof maintenance tips you use to keep it in good shape? If not, share your stories in the comments.
