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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.

 

Different Types of Roof Leaks

Roof leaks are inevitable, but the source can be difficult to spot sometimes.  Below are places where you can look for a roof leak.  Remember that roofs are inherently dangerous and climbing on your roof can lead to accidents and injuries.  If your roof is leaking, hire a professional to find the source and make repairs.

Homeowners Often Experience Leaks From:

Missing/Broken Shingles

Wind, rain, and debris can knock shingles off the roof, which allows water to invade the attic space unnoticed.  Missing and broken shingles happen because of severe storms, but this problem often indicates that the roofing shingles need to be replaced.  Most roofing shingles last twenty to thirty years.  If your roof is approximately twenty to thirty years old, you could be experiencing a roof leak because your shingles are too old to be effective against leaks.  While you might be able to stop the leak by replacing the shingles, it’s more likely that you’ll need to replace your roof to address the problem entirely.  Have your roof inspected and assessed by a roofing professional to address the issue.

Gutters are Clogged

Gutters are a critical part of your home’s drainage system.  Functioning gutters help direct water off your roof and away from your home.  When they’re clogged, water backs up at the roofline. Overflowing water, overflowing ice, and snow have more time to seep in when your gutters are not flowing properly.  Fortunately, this is an easy problem to solve.  To address the issue, just clean your gutters once or twice per year, as needed.  You’ll know when it’s time because your gutters will start to overflow.  Stay on top of gutter maintenance by cleaning twice annually: once in the spring and once in the fall.  If you start to notice problems like water leaking from the cracks between gutters, have your gutters repaired by a professional or replaced if needed.

Flashing is Cracked

Flashing is the material that protects your roof beneath the shingles.  Flashing can crack with time, especially as it is exposed to water, rain, snow, ice, extreme heat, and other severe weather conditions.  Flashing needs to be inspected periodically and replaced as needed – just like the rest of your roof.  Work with a roofing professional to get your roof inspected and either repaired or replaced if needed.

Chimney Leaks

Chimneys can become a source of leaks as the years go on.  Leaks can happen when there is no chimney cap, the chimney or chimney cap is damaged, or when the chimney flashing is cracked or damaged.  Over time, this can lead water to enter your home, and deterioration can occur.  You can prevent chimney leaks by having your chimney inspected by a professional at least once per year and by having your roof inspected by a roofing professional on a regular basis.  We recommend having a chimney professional come to your house in the fall before you start using the chimney in the winter.

Cracked Roof Vents

Weather occurrences can crack roof vents in the same way that they break your roof’s flashing.  Your roofing professional will inspect your roof vents when they inspect the rest of your roof and will make recommendations for repair or replacement.

Your Skylights

Skylights often leak either because the caulk or tar has deteriorated or the flashing itself has begun to deteriorate.  Skylights need regular maintenance n order to maintain their structural integrity. Your roofing professional will be able to identify when there is a problem with your skylights and can make recommendations for repair as needed.

Roof Valley Leaks

The roof valley is the area where the two slopes of your roof meet, and the shingles are slightly bent.  It is in the roof valley where shingles are more susceptible to falling off.  During your inspection, your roofing professional will likely look in that area for wet areas or softwood.

Fixing Step Flashing

Step flashing is usually used along the walls that interconnect with the roof.  Every short section of the flashing leads water over the shingle down the roof. However, once they become rusty, the flashing pieces become loose and might allow water to run behind it, thus finding the way into the house.  The rusted flashing requires replacement to avert the leaks.  This implies that you have to remove the shingles, pry the siding loose, and remove and replace the step flashing pieces.

Fixing the Small Holes

Small and tiny holes in the shingles can be the source of frequent roof leaking in your home, and they can cause considerable damage over time if left unattended.  These holes might be left from antenna mounting brackets, a satellite dish, or anything installed on the roof. The small leaks are easy to repair and can be done with flashing.

Fixing Leaks Around the Brick Chimney

The chimney is commonly prone to leaks due to the many issues that might affect it.  For instance, the flashing around the chimney can rust if it is galvanized steel.

Plumbing Vent Boots

Vent boots are made from plastic, metal and plastic, or metal only.  As such, roofing contactors will need to look for cracks on plastic bases or broken seams on metal bases.  They will also examine the rubber boot around the pipe for any tear or rot that can allow water to find a way into the house.  If you have any of these in your vent boot, the solution is to have it replaced.

Fixing Dormers and Walls

Dormer walls can provide many spots where rainwater can drip down and enter your roof, especially if the caulk is aged, cracked, or missing between the boards at the corner and the window sliding and edges.  Water goes through these cracks and finds way into the home behind the flashing.  In fact, even the caulk that may seem intact might not provide a better sealing against the connecting surfaces.

Standing Water

When water remains collected on your roof for over 48 hours, problems can arise.  Likely causes include clogged gutters and the need for re-pitching.  Check all draining systems for blockages (ice dams in winter).

Storm Damage

Storms afflict the most damage to roofing systems.  If you’ve noticed leaks in your home shortly after severe weather, it’s time to have a qualified roofer diagnose your roof to quickly locate and resolve your issue.

No Maintenance

Roofs must withstand a lot, like prolonged heat exposure, cold temperatures, and rain and storms.  Regular checkups ensure your roof functions optimally, with two inspections per year recommended.

Conclusion

Regardless of how small the leak is, it is important to take quick action to stop it. Otherwise, it might continue to cause more damage and escalate your repair costs.