Roof leaks are never a good thing. It doesn’t matter if you have a small or large home or business, leaks can spill disaster for you. Drip buckets can become hazards, and having to stay on top of the weather forecast does you no good even if you are aware of the leak. Leaks could mean an easy do it yourself fix, or it could mean that your roof needs some serious work. When it comes down to roof repairs, we know that it takes a lot of time and some money that you may not have when it comes to this type of emergency. So, what can you do to avoid leaks in the first place, and how do these roof leaks happen? It doesn’t matter if your roof is ten or twenty years old. There are a few things you should know.
What’s Your Roof’s Age?
The first thing you should think about if your roof leaks is the age of the roof. Depending on the material and the weather climate you live in, if it’s been close to or more than 20 years, look to get it replaced. Many standard roofs will last anywhere from 20-30 years, but if you have extreme heat, winds, or hail, then 20 years might be the limit. Roofs that are constantly under temperature fluctuations could cause the panels to become brittle and crack by melting the tar that seals them together.
Check Out The Flashing
The flashing on your roof could cause roof leaks. They’re the thin sheets of metal that lay under shingles on the joints of your roof. Their placement creates a water-resistant barrier that could get exposed. You can tell if they’re exposed if you can see the long runs of sheet metal. If appropriately concealed, then they’ll have a rubberized coating overtop. You can keep an eye on them by checking for cracking throughout the year.
Broken Shingles
If you found shingles in your yard after that last massive rainstorm, then you may have a leak soon. This will typically happen after heavy storms, or if your roof needs replacing in general. You can typically spot this from the ground, but calling in an expert can save you money in the long run if it continues. If one was prone to fall off, then others might wait much longer.
Your Valleys Aren’t Properly Sealed
Most angled roofs and have valleys where two planes of the roof come together. If these are not sealed together properly, rainwater can puddle up and leak into your home or business. You can check this out by looking for wet spots along the seams of your roof. Unfortunately, this has to get fixed by a professional to ensure that your roof gets appropriately sealed.
Clogged Gutters
If you notice leaves and debris sticking out of the gutter along your roof, this could lead to problems. Your gutters help water travel away from the roof. If a blockage happens, water will puddle up in one spot and begin to seep through cracks. The best thing you can do if this happens takes a little work by grabbing a ladder and heading up. Cleaning out your gutters might seem like a pain, but it can save you a larger financial pain later.
Get Off Of The Roof
You really shouldn’t get up on your roof unless it’s absolutely necessary. Even then, depending on the material you have, it’s probably best to call in an expert to do things. Many roofing materials are fragile in the sense that they’re not meant to get walked on often. As strong as they are to withstand the weather and temperatures, if you’re walking around too often, it could add pressure in direct spots causing cracks.
Other Roof Leaks
Many times roof leaks could be due to unique circumstances that not everyone has to worry about. Other causes could come from:
- Ice build-up around the rims of your roof that block snow and water from draining
- Skylights improperly installed
- A crack in the chimney from the eroded mortar.
- Condensation build-up in the attic due to mold.
Any of these more unique and specific reasons for a roof leaking will involve an expert coming in and inspecting your roof. Many of these have safety hazards that would need one or more people to look over and repair.
AAAA Contracting Roof Leaks
It’s not on everyone’s to-do list to get up and check on the condition of their roof, so it’s no wonder that these things can happen from time to time. If you’re experiencing some leaks due to our weather lately, don’t fret. We’re here to help by providing roof leak repairs. AAAA Contractors can patch up and look over your roof to make sure it’s in good shape for the long haul.
