So you catch a glimpse of a water spot on the side of your house, maybe in the ceiling near the bedroom, or in the living room. You happen to look up and there it is, silently laughing at you because it snuck in unnoticed and now you’re going to have to deal with it and spend money doing it. Spotting a roof leak is no joke, most homeowners know this. Regardless of the size of the leak, it will likely present various challenges, but it’s not all bad news. Here at AAAA Contractors, we have seen every and any kind of roof leak you can imagine. They happen and they don’t have to be the end of the world. We’ll get it taken care of. Even in a place where it doesn’t rain all the time like El Paso, moisture still manages to sneak its way in. In fact, moisture is a home’s worst enemy. Most expensive repairs and fixes that homeowners have to make, have to do with moisture that snuck in when it wasn’t supposed to. So what causes a roof leak? And where do they most commonly happen? Let’s take a look at some of these common questions.
The first thing to know about roof leaks is it’s not an exact science. Finding the root of the problem is more of an investigative process. In order to find the source, there needs to be a process of elimination, a bit of problem-solving, and careful examination to find the trail.
The second thing you have to know about roof leaks is that they will likely happen or make themselves present when it is least convenient for you. Planning a party? Looking to sell the home? Yup, if there is a leak forming, it will likely announce itself then.
Common Signs of a Leaky Roof
So what are the signs that your roof is leaking? Let’s start there. Some of the common symptoms include:
- Actual water dripping inside your home. This is a clear indication that a leak has happened.
- Stains on the walls and ceilings. This is the most commonly spotted sign of a leaky roof.
- Signs of mold and algae growing. Leaks cause a wild assortment of problems and this is one of them.
- Missing or damaged shingles. If you have missing or curved shingles, it indicates that something went wrong and you likely have a leak somewhere. It means there is water absorption.
These are common signs and they likely appear in some pretty common spots or they originate in some common areas. You will likely see leaks coming from cracked flashings, broken shingles, improperly sealed valleys and more. Here are some ways we narrow it down in a little more detail:
Valleys
The valley is the line or point of intersection where two roof planes connect. If there was a spotty installation or not a great job done to begin with, the valleys may be a source of the problem for many homeowners.
The Field of Shingles
For some older roofs that were installed more than a couple of years ago, it is possible that a leak originates on the roof field. This simply refers to the spacing where all your roofing material is. If you have a shingle roof or a slate roof, a leak can originate from any one of the shingles or tiles.
Head Wall Flashings
Some roofs will have a metal flashing to direct water as it streams down. The flashing can be located behind wood siding or in front of a brick wall. If you spot tar, caulk or roofing cement should not be used with these materials or it might indicate a patched leak.
Chimneys
You’d be surprised at the role chimneys play in roof leaks. This is because chimneys will typically contain four types of flashing. Even a small crack above the flashing can allow vast amounts of water to run behind the flashings. These leaks must be identified and sealed and fixed correctly. Doing a makeshift patchwork on this, or any roof leak for that matter, might cause you more grief in the future.
Wall Step Flashings
When a roof climbs along a vertical wall, you will have a step flashing. As shingles are laid, step flashing is installed. If you see rust or holes in these flashings, they very well may be a culprit of a leak, or, at the very least, bad news.
And while we’re in the age of YouTube DIY home improvement, a roof leak is not always that easy to find and/or spot. It’s probably a good idea to call a professional and not try to go hunting for it yourself. In order to properly repair a roof leak, it is necessary to find the exact source of the leak and perform the right kind of repair for the specific leak. Leaks that originate in the flashing or valleys can be different.
Get the Right Roof Solution with AAAA Contractors
We are leak detectives. We have seen roof leaks that originate from every crook and cranny of the home. Bad roof installations can sometimes be the cause of premature roof leaks, wind can also play a role, heavy rains, hail, snow, and more. Give us a call here at AAAA Contractors and we’ll find the leak for you!
