Welcome to Family Roofing

So, what are the most common areas you can check if you notice a leak in your roof?

Plumbing Vents

A plumbing vent pipe is a common culprit for leaks.  Often the rubber boot on the vent will be worn or torn, the metal/plastic base will have a crack or broken seam, or a few nails will be loose or missing. If any of these issues are present, water will be able to enter your roof along the pipe.

Vent Boot

The vent boot is a close relative of flashing. Fabricated from rubber, it slides over the plastic vent pipes that protrude from a roof to work with flashing to waterproof the junction of roof and pipe.  Vent boots can be plastic, metal, rubber, or any combination.  When the gasket stops working the old boot must be pulled off, usually with the aid of a knife, and a new one installed. Like shingle work, this is a job that can be handled without a call to a contractor.

Flashing

Flashing refers to the thin metal sheet that covers transitions point in your roof.  These areas of the roof are most vulnerable, which is why we use flashing in the first place!  Of course, if the flashing becomes corroded or damaged, that’s when it stops doing its job and you start seeing leaks.

Speaking of chimneys, compromised flashing is a common problem on a roof.  Flashing are thin strips of metal installed at danger points for leaks around a roof.  For a chimney, they are bent at a 90-degree angle to attach to both the roofing material and the brick chimney.  Flashing needs to be properly sealed to protect against water intrusion.  It also needs to remain nailed in place and even if that is all squared away, the metal can rust or crack.

Look at the flashing in all transition points (where roof meets a wall, or another roof plane).

Mounting Holes

Old holes left over from a satellite dish or antenna mounted on your roof can be a sneaky cause of leaks.

Walls

Okay, so these leaks aren’t actually coming from the roof – but they probably look like they are! While you’re checking the roof for the site of the leak, don’t forget to investigate around windows, corner boards, and siding for cracks, damage, and holes.

Skylights

Oh, we love skylights when they let in what they’re supposed to – sunlight! But when they let in the moisture and rain, they’re not so great.  Unfortunately, leaky skylights are pretty common. If you have any, it’s definitely something you want to keep an eye on.

Chimneys

Chimneys are another point of weakness when it comes to your roof. Water can pool around it and find lots of ways into your home, and small imperfections can lead to trickles.

Also, the flashing (discussed above) around your chimney is a common point of failure, often causing chimney-related leaks.

Have you ever seen house ruins from 200 years ago? The chimney is often the only thing standing.  While brick chimneys may seem indestructible, the mortar that binds the bricks together is nothing more than a hard-working mixture of water, sand, and cement.  Exposed to the weather elements, the mortar can erode and crumble over time. Check the mud cap on top of the chimney for deterioration and inspect the mortar joints where the chimney enters the roof. If patches are required, it is a cheap and quick fix.

Soffit and Fascia

“Soffits” are the metal or wood panels along the underside of the roof between the siding and the roofline.  “Fascia” are the metal or wood boards along the roofline or behind the gutter.  These two areas can rot or degrade over time, causing soft, damaged spots or holes.  When the damage starts to spread, you may start to see leaks in your home.  (Even if you don’t see leaks, you should always ensure your soffit and fascia are well-maintained!)

Shingles

Shingles don’t last forever.  They usually aren’t the first place you should look for a leak, but once they are old and worn enough, they can become a problem.  Corroded, cracked, broken, and missing shingles cause leaks and may need to be repaired.   If your roof is old enough, you may need to replace it entirely.

Shiners

Not every roofing nail finds its mark.  If one has missed the rafters and protrudes into the attic it is a candidate for water damage.  On cold nights in an unheated attic the exposed metal nail can frost up (hence, the “shiner”).  When the weather warms during the day the frost will melt away and begin dripping.  It may not seem like much until it happens day after day after day and you suddenly have a brown spot in your bedroom ceiling.  Your only short-term cost for this fix will be the purchase of side-splitting pliers and a bit of your time.

However, having moisture that causes shiners in your attic space, indicates that your attic space in not insulated nor ventilated properly.  This will need to be corrected, if you want to prolong the longevity of the roof deck, as well as help minimize the chance of ice dams forming on the roof in winter.  Correcting any issues with your attic insulation attic insulation and ventilation will also help improve your home’s overall comfort, energy efficiency, as well as help improve the overall performance and longevity of your roof.

You don’t need to wait until your roof actually has a leak!  Proper roof upkeep will stop problems in their tracks, before the damage begins to spread.  But if you do spot a leak, these are the usual suspects to check when you’re looking for the source.