Why Do Roofs Develop Leaks? Here’s Top Reasons and Fixes

Your roof is your primary defense against the elements. A leaky roof can wreak havoc with your home. It ruins attic and ceiling materials, stains walls, and causes mold and mildew. It also damages your insulation, increasing energy bills.

Fortunately, you can prevent roof leaks by monitoring your attic and ceiling for water stains. Leaks usually develop due to neglect or weak points in your roof’s seams and pitch pans.

Damaged Flashing

Flashing is a thin layer of protective material, usually galvanized steel or copper, installed around joints and crevices to prevent water from entering the home. It is particularly important at the chimney and skylights, as well as the roof edges. If the caulk seal that holds the flashing in place breaks down, the gap allows water to seep into the structure.

Often, it is caused by the flashing itself getting worn out due to age and environmental elements. Metal flashing tends to corrode, especially when it is exposed to the sun for prolonged periods of time. If you see rust or a tarry patch, it is definitely time to call a roofing contractor for a repair or replacement.

Other causes of leaking include poor installation, foot traffic damage or a break in the flashing’s seam. Typically, this is an easy fix for a roofing company that simply replaces the damaged section of the flashing.

Another cause is the failure of a rubber boot that covers the base of a roof pipe or other penetration. A pipe boot is designed to keep out rain and snow, but repeated exposure to sunlight can eventually crack the material, allowing water to seep in. This is an easy fix for a roofing contractor, who will replace the damaged boot with a new one.

Neglect is also a common reason for leaky roofs. If you don’t regularly monitor and maintain your roof, problems can develop quickly, leading to a ruined ceiling, mold growth, wood framing damage, or other structural issues. In addition, a flooded roof is a fire hazard and can ruin your insulation, increasing your energy bills. The best way to avoid this is by scheduling regular roof inspections and maintenance, including re-sealing.

Clogged Gutters

The gutter system is a vital component of the roof to make sure water flows off and away from your house. Gutters and downspouts can get clogged with a variety of organic debris like leaves, pine needles, twigs, trash, and animal nests. When this happens, it prevents rainwater and melting snow from flowing through the gutters and away from your home. This can cause moisture to settle on the wood joists, rafters and insulation of your attic, which can lead to damage over time and eventually result in a leaky roof.

In colder climates, clogged gutters can also exacerbate problems with ice dams that form when heat from inside your home escapes into the attic and warms the roof, melting and refreezing snow near the edges of the roof. When the gutters are clogged, the resulting ridges of ice block the flow of water from melting snow and can create a leaky roof over time.

The best way to avoid a roof leak caused by clogged gutters is to keep them clean. This is easy to do in autumn when the trees are shedding their leaves, but you should be checking your gutters regularly throughout the year and making sure they are functioning properly. If you find that your gutters are clogged, try using a drum auger that has a metal line inside of a cylindrical drum and feed it down the clogged gutter until you reach the bottom. You may need to do this multiple times to fully clear the clog. If you’re in the area, consider reaching out to roofing virginia beach experts who specialize in high-quality installations and repairs. They can either install a new gutter or replace your roof flashing if needed.

Damaged Valleys

Roof valleys are designed to direct water and debris flow down and away from a roof. When they aren’t functioning properly, they can become a major source of leaks and other roof problems.

There are two main types of roof valleys: open and closed. Closed valleys are simply covered with shingles, while open valleys have a metal flashing that forms a download slope to carry water and debris off your roof. Open roof valleys are less prone to leaks than closed roof valleys, but both kinds can be susceptible to damage and poor installation.

If you have a roof with an open valley, it is important to inspect the flashing regularly. You should check for holes all along the seams. If you find any, it is necessary to repair them immediately because this will prevent water from entering your home.

A metal roofing professional can fix the problem by replacing the damaged flashing and shingle pieces. He or she will also inspect the rest of the roof, attic, siding and gutters to make sure everything is intact and secure.

If you have a dead roof valley, a professional can install a diverter to help the flow of water and debris off your roof. In addition, a contractor can install a cricket or saddle on the top of the roof to prevent the formation of dead roof valleys. This is an excellent way to avoid roof leaks and water damage. In addition, it is a good idea to use the same type of metal for the roof valley flashing as it was originally installed to avoid any corrosion. A metal roof specialist can advise you on the best options for your roof.

Damaged Skylights or Vents

If you have skylights or roof vents in your home, they can cause leaks if their flashing is damaged. This can happen from repeated exposure to the elements, or it could occur if your roof is old and reaching the end of its lifespan.

The best way to prevent leaks from vents or skylights is to perform regular roof inspections. You should look for cracked caulking, broken or missing shingles and debris buildup around the vents or skylights. If you find any problems, have them addressed right away.

Another reason that skylights or vents can leak is due to ice dams that form in the valleys on your roof. This is caused by a combination of factors such as nonuniform surface temperatures, snowfall and ice accumulation. If the ice dams are not removed, they can cause water to pool up and seep through your roof.

If you see signs of a leak around your skylight or vent, it’s a good idea to hire a professional roofer for the repair work. They have the experience, tools and knowledge to ensure a safe and effective repair that will last.

The main causes of leaks on a roof are due to damage or age, but there are a number of other reasons that can contribute as well. If you spot any of the above issues, it’s important to act quickly to prevent further damage or to protect your home from costly water leaks. Contact our experienced team at RoofPRO today to learn more about our roofing services and for a free estimate! We offer a wide range of commercial and residential roofing services, including skylights, vents, shingle replacement, roof repairs, ice dam removal, and more.

Debris

Your roof is your primary defense against the outside elements. If it is damaged, water will find its way into your home and cause rot in wood framing, mold, and more. It can also ruin wall and floor coverings and lead to health issues in your family. Water damage will also increase your energy bills due to the water soaking through the insulation and causing your house to lose heat.

Leaks develop when debris like fallen twigs and branches, shingles, or leaves pile up on your roof and trap moisture against it. This will lead to a chain reaction of deterioration, especially in roofing materials like shingle, which are not designed to hold moisture for long periods of time. Debris can also attract critters like squirrels, rats, and raccoons who will chew their way through the shingles to create a hole.

The same thing can happen in the valleys where two planes of your roof meet. If a valley becomes damaged, rain and snow will not be able to flow freely through the gutters and down your chimney. Rain will then find its way into your home through the damaged area.

Even with regular maintenance and repairs, your roof will eventually reach the end of its lifespan. When that happens, leaks are almost inevitable. If you notice water stains on your ceiling, it is best to call a professional right away. By catching leaks early, you can save yourself a lot of money and stress in the future. Call a Hillsboro roofer today to schedule a repair. We can rejuvenate aging shingles and boost their flexibility to help them last longer and reduce the risk of leaks.