CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
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How to Fix Common Causes of Leaks
Cracked flashing: Flashing is the metal strip that creates a water-resistant barrier between joints. Metal can crack or corrode from page or deteriorated sealant. To fix, gently pry up the material and remove nails. Nail a new strip in place and reseal.
Broken or missing shingles: High winds can break or remove shingles. If broken, lift the shingle with a pry bar until the nails holding it pump up. Gently remove nails and old shingles. Replace with a new one and nail in place.
Cracked vent booting: Vent booting is a gasket used to seal roof vents. To repair, cut away the old boot with a knife. Install the new one over the vent and under the shingles. Secure with nails and seal with caulk.
Ice dams: If snow melt on your roof refreezes, it can create ice dams that hold snow to your roof. The weight can cause damage. Use a roof rake to fix it and remove the first four feet of snow from the roof edge. Then use ice melt product per manufacturer’s instructions. Consider investing in a roof heat cable to prevent future issues.
Skylight leaks: Skylights can trap water and the frame seals can crack and form leaks. If there’s a problem, clean off debris and repair cracks with clear silicone sealant.
Clogged gutters: Clean these out properly to prevent water from pooling up. Otherwise, clogged gutters will prevent rainwater from running off efficiently.
There are many kinds of materials and styles for roofs. These include wood shake or composite roofing, asphalt shingles, metal, flat, foam or single-ply roofing. You could also have a type of tile or slate roofing as well. The type of material and style that your roof is will dictate the cost. For example, many consider shingle roofs easy to repair while slate or tile roofs are among the most difficult.
Metal Roofs
If removed and left improperly sealed, fasteners for panels or shingles can leave a potential leak point
Time can work fasteners loose especially where there is a lot of expansion and contraction
Leaks between panel fasteners, loose seams can let water through
Sometimes the seams can work themselves loose and allow water in
Asphalt Shingles
Lift up or blow off entirely in high winds
Most shingles today can withstand 110 mph, but an improperly attached shingle can come off in low winds
Strong storm winds can lift or remove shingles, loose nails can damage the material
A weaker section of roof will anchor shingles if there is no nailing strip present.
Composite Roofing
Lightweight compared to other shingles
Prone to extensive damage from high winds
Asphalt roofs may lose a handful of shingles, composite roofs can lose entire sections
Can lift up more easily than ordinary asphalt shingles and allow water to blow in beneath
The stone granules begin to come off easily when they require replacement.
Wood Shake
Susceptible to moss buildup if they are subject to a lot of shade
Attractive to insects if not properly maintained (cedar is the exception)
May encounter UV damage
Slate Roofs
If nailed too tightly, edges can stick up and cause leakage problems
Prone to ice-damming, when ice builds up and melts into your ceiling
Tile Roofs
Potential for cracked or sliding tiles to expose underlayment of roof and cause leaks
May leak from day one and allow water underneath tiles
Heat damage is possible from the sun
Galvanized steel can corrode and form holes that let water through
Flat, Foam or Single-Ply Roofs
Sags can appear in aging flat roofs that cause water to pool up
If not cleaned before application, the foam may not adhere and will pull up in high winds
Single-ply roofs can leak if the membrane beneath did not properly seal
Insulation board can act like a sponge and trap water, causing mold growth
Repair Causes
Most roof leaks are similar in nature and are due to the same types of problems. These include:
Blown off or missing shingles:
Lift up in high winds
Lighter materials are more prone to peeling up
Without shingles, underlayment and roof deck are exposed to elements
Leaking roof flashing repairs:
Located around chimneys, skylights, roof valleys and more
Flashing redirects water to protect your roof
Can leak if it comes loose
Leaks also possible if weather affects flashing
Sagging roof repairs:
A sagging roof is unstable and unsafe
Caused by weight, wear and tear, rot and other factors
Bad or leaking pipe flashing:
Vent pipes sit underneath your roof material
Corrosion of pipe flashing or the sealant can allow water to seep through
Chimney/skylight step flashing:
Can leak if high winds pull it away from your chimney or roof
Can leak if the sealant no longer works
Skylights are trickier to diagnose
In skylights, what looks like a leak could just be condensation
A cracked skylight or worn seals can allow leaks to form
Valleys:
Valleys are little gutters that run down interior angles on your roof
Lifting tiles, fungus build-up and improper cleaning can damage flashing
Valleys channel most rainwater using gravity
Ice dams:
Form when melted snow refreezes on your roof
Resulting walls don’t allow runoff to drain into rain gutters or leave the roof
Low slope/inadequate roof pitch:
Low slope roofs are susceptible to wind damage
Often don’t provide good run-off in regions that see a lot of rain
If you notice any of these signs, you should call a roofing specialist immediately to get the problem fixed.
CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM