Summary:
- Roof leaks can cause significant damage if not repaired immediately.
- Water can travel away from the leak, making it difficult to locate the source.
- The three likeliest reasons for leaks are clogged gutters, broken or missing shingles, and cracked or damaged flashing.
- If you notice any of these issues, it’s best to call an expert roofer to assess your home and provide recommended next steps.
Your home is probably your most important investment. Roof leaks can cause significant damage to your home if not repaired immediately.
The source of a roof leak can often be difficult to locate as water can travel away from where the leak is located. Whether your roof is brand new or 10 years old, having this information in mind could be the difference between doing a quick, easy repair or a major restoration job.
See Also: Three Common Roof Repairs Your Home Will Eventually Need
In this blog post, we will discuss three of the likeliest reasons your roof is leaking and what you should do to protect your investment.
CLOGGED EAVESTROUGH/GUTTERS
Your rain gutters can get clogged with leaves or other debris which can slow or prevent water from properly flowing off the roof. This can cause backed up rainwater to pool in certain areas and over time, soak through the roof.
At first glance, it made be difficult to see if your gutter is clogged with debris. However if you notice a lack of water flowing out of the downspout during a rainstorm, this is likely a sign that you have a clogged gutter.
The best way to remove leaves or debris is to remove it by hand. This will require getting up on a ladder so you can access the gutter. Investing in gutter covers can assist in keeping gutters clear of debris.
We offer Alu-Rex Leaf Guards as part of our eavestrough installation services. If you live in New Brighton or Auburn Bay, perhaps they are not needed… but if you’re in Haysboro, or another inner-city community with ample and established trees, we strongly recommend them (as a plus, you’ll never have to worry about cleaning your eavestrough again!).
BROKEN OR MISSING SHINGLES
The shingles on your roof can sometimes break or become completely dislodged due to inclement weather such as heavy rain and wind.
If you notice that you that your roof is leaking, one of the first things you should do is check the exterior layer of your roof. Missing shingles should be relatively easy to identify as you will notice different coloured patches on your roof.
To be extra sure, climb a ladder to inspect otherwise hidden areas of your roof for missing or broken shingles. If the weather was very windy recently, you may even notice the shingles littered on the ground around your house.
Give us a call if you’re in need of a roof repair. Our expert roofers will assess your home and provide you our recommended next steps.
CRACKED OR DAMAGED FLASHING
Flashing are thin pieces of metal which seal roof transitions to create a water resistant barrier. They are placed where large amounts of water run down – under some shingles and around chimneys, skylights and where the roof joins a dormer.
Over time the bonding adhesive used to seal the flashing may corrode. Exposed flashing is more likely to have this happen as they are not covered from weather elements such as wind and rain.
If the source of the leak is determined to be a cracked flashing, it should be replaced immediately. This is relatively easy to do – a new run of flashing in the same pattern as the old one is fastened and then sealed into place.
