Welcome to Family Roofing

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At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

 

Common Causes of Shingle Roof Leaks

Shingle roofing is the most common and popular type of roofing in the United States.  Shingle roofs are lightweight, durable, attractive, and affordable.  But despite these excellent features, shingle roofs can still develop issues like roof leaks.

Roof leaks may happen for various reasons.  Let’s take a closer look at each of the common reasons:

• Broken Shingles – The most common cause of roof leaks is broken shingles.  When your roof has this problem, it becomes more exposed to heavy rains that could seep through tiny cracks.  Broken shingles can often be spotted from the ground, but sometimes it’s necessary to have a professional perform a roof inspection.

• Cracked Flashing – Flashings are water-resistant barriers under your shingles.  When you notice your roof leaking, this part of your roof likely has cracks.  It’s also possible that they’re unsealed or corroded.

• Unsealed Valleys – Besides your flashings, unsealed valleys or the area where your roof comes together may have issues.  This can look like wet spots trickling down the seams of your roof.

• Clogged Gutters – Another possible reason for roof leaks is clogged gutters.  Too many leaves or debris are the main culprits for this cause.  Clogs can block the water flow and cause water to pool in one area.  When left unattended, this puddle may seep through cracks or weaken your roof’s foundation.

• Condensation & Rot in Attic – Your attic is vulnerable to mold growth due to the temperature difference inside and outside your home. This problem is common to many homeowners and can eventually lead to rotten roof boards and leaks.

• Negligence – Poor maintenance and lack of routine inspections allow small issues to fester into larger issues, eventually causing leaks and other damage.  Even worse, roof damage due to negligence and lack of maintenance is not covered by insurance.  To avoid this, it’s advisable to schedule regular roof inspections with a reputable roofing company.

• Plumbing Vent Boots and Roof Vents – Check plumbing vent boots and roof vents if water is entering from that area to cause the leaking roof.

  Look for cracks in the base of flexible rubber flashing or broken seams in metal varieties of vent pipe flashing.  The rubber gasket that surrounds the vent pipe could be rotted.  Either of these situations could allow water to find its way into the house.  Replace the plumbing vent boot if necessary and use washer-head roofing screws to secure the base to the roof.  If the boot is in good condition but fasteners are missing, replace them with washer-head roofing screws.  Similarly, roof vents with cracked or otherwise damaged housings should be replaced to prevent water entering at the base.

• Old Mounting Holes – Small nail holes left behind from old vents, satellite dish brackets or anything previously attached to the roof can allow water to enter and cause damage for years before leaking is noticed.  Patch the nail or screw holes by slipping a piece of roof flashing underneath the shingle.  Add a bead of caulk or roof cement to the top and bottom edge of the flashing to keep it in place.

• Step Flashing – Step flashing is found around the chimney and on walls that intersect a shingle roof.  Short sections of overlapping L-shaped flashing are arranged to channel water over the shingle downhill from it.  If one of the steps has become loose or rusted through, water can creep behind it, underneath the others and into the house.  Replace a damaged piece of step flashing by carefully loosening the shingle and siding to remove it.  Push the new flashing into place and secure the repair with roofing cement.

• Tree Damage – If your home has sustained roof damage from a tree or other falling debris that has made a visible hole in the roof, it’s better to have a professional roofing contractor make the roof leak repair.  In some cases, a roof replacement might be necessary.  Meanwhile, tarp the roof to prevent additional water damage.

• Slope of the Roof – If a roof has a shallow slope, rain can be driven underneath the shingles and inside the home.  Also, it’s easier for the wind to lift the shingles and blow them off.  The slope of a roof is the ratio of its rise over its distance in inches.  A roof with asphalt shingles should have a roof slope of 2:12 for better.  Even if the slope is higher than this, it will often still need an underlayment material to ensure it’s waterproof.  Make sure that the materials used on your roof are appropriate to your roof slop

How to Find a Roof Leak 

Locating the source of the roof leak is the first step to repairing it.  While you can follow the steps below to try and find the leak yourself, this is not recommended.

Look for Dripping Water During Heavy Rains

When you live in a rainy area, the easiest way to find a roof leak is by looking at your ceiling during a heavy rain.  If you see water dripping from your ceiling, that’s the obvious source of your leak.

Check Your Attic

If you’ve observed water leakage on your ceilings or walls, but want to better hone in on the source of the leak, you can try checking in your attic.  The most common visible markings in your attic are water stains, wood rot, black marks, mold, or wet insulation.  Note: Only go in your attic if you are comfortable doing so and are knowledgeable about how attics are constructed . If you aren’t sure how to navigate an attic safely, do not go in your attic.  Call a professional.

Observe Your Roof’s Exterior

Another way to check for roof leaks is by inspecting its exterior.  Stand a few meters away from your home and look for visible damage or issues.  Look for curled, cracked, and broken shingles, valleys, and flashings. You can also check for rotted or discolored patches on your roof.

Note: It’s never advisable for you to go up onto your roof yourself.  Always get a professional to perform your roof inspection.  Not only is it safer, it’s better to have a professional  identify and document your roof leak for insurance purposes.

Repairing Cupped Shingles

Cupped shingles are a common reason for roof leaks that can occur over time. Since it’s inevitable for shingles to wear, the best way to fix leaks is to repair them.  Here’s how it’s done:

1. Lift Cupped Shingle – Contractors will go up on your roof and physically lift the cupped shingle.

2. Sweep Debris Away – After lifting the cupped shingles, the contractor will sweep away loose debris that has gotten into your roof’s seams.

3. Place Roofing Cement – Once all the loose debris is gone, the contractor will place a layer of roofing cement below the shingle.

4. Press Shingle Firmly – The contractor will then press the shingle back down and secure it in place until the cement dries.  They may add additional roofing granules to finish the repair as well.

Schedule a roof repair so you can get this taken care of quickly and safely.

Replacing Damaged Asphalt Shingles

When damaged shingles are beyond repair, the best way to prevent roof leaks into your home is to replace them.  If the shingles are brittle, there is a chance of creating more damage to the surrounding shingles that becomes a never-ending process, in which case a full roof replacement is recommended.

Once the repairability of the roof has been confirmed, the following steps can be followed for shingle replacement:

1. Loosen Seals and Nails

The contractor will locate the damaged shingles and will use a pry bar to loosen all the adhesives and nails.

3. Remove Damaged Shingles

Once they’ve loosened the adhesives and nails, the contractor will remove and discard the damaged shingles.

4. Place New Shingles

Once the old shingles are removed, the contractor will place and secure new shingles working bottom up.

5. Reseal New Shingles

With new shingles in place, the contractor will finish the process by sealing the new shingles.

Again, we never recommend that property owners do this work themselves.  Always hire a licensed and insured roofing company.

Note: Shingle replacement can lead to a patchy looking roof as new shingles will look different than the worn shingles around them.  In many cases, you’re better off doing a full roof replacement instead of a repair.