CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
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.
Most Common Places a Roof Will Leak
You’ve probably heard it before. The sound of water trickling down from your ceiling. It becomes a battle against time to find where the leak is coming from before the situation gets worse.
1. Around the Chimney
The chimney is one of the main culprits of a roof leak. Most of the time, it’s due to cracked or damaged flashing. These are thin strips of metal installed around the roof, which provide a seal in areas where the roof intersects. Chimney flashing is bent at a 90-degree angle with one side laid under the shingles and the other side nailed into the chimney. The top of the flashing is then sealed with caulk, which will fail over time. If the flashing isn’t properly sealed or nailed into place, water can intrude and enter your home. Even the flashing itself can wear down over time after prolonged exposure to bad weather, so it’s important to have your chimney inspected once a year.
2. Around Windows and Skylights
Skylights can be a beautiful addition to your home. However, they can also cause headaches if they start leaking. There are two main causes for this type of leak: improper installation or worn weather-sealing along the skylight edges. With a poorly fitted skylight, leaks can sprout down the sides and the rubber seal around the glass, ruining the water barrier. Most skylight leaks occur due to flashing issues or poor installation, not the glazing that comes with the skylight.
3. Vent Pipes
Another common place where your roof can leak is around a vent pipe. Also known as a plumbing vent, this pipe protrudes from the rood to allow air to escape from the home. A vent pipe often has flashing around it and a rubber boot to seal the top of the vent. After enduring the weather over time, the flashing may become worn and cracked, leading to a roof leak. The rubber boot can fail in as little as seven years, so periodic maintenance can help stop roof leaks before they happen.
4. Missing Shingles
One of the obvious ways to spot where your roof is leaking is to look for missing shingles. They should be easy to see since they are the outermost layer of the roof that provides protection against inclement weather. Storms and strong winds can rip shingles from the roof and created exposed areas, leading to leaks. Hail or falling debris can penetrate your roof during storms, causing damage that may require repairs. .
5. Gutters
During a rain or snow storm, your gutters play an important role on your home’s exterior. However, if they become clogged or backed up it could be detrimental. It’s important to clear your gutters out if you know a storm is passing through to prevent ice dams and clogged gutters. If you know your gutters aren’t properly doing their job, our project consultants will come out for an inspection and give you more information!
6. Cracked Flashing
Flashing is vitally important in the protection of water penetration on your roof. Flashing are the metal strips laid under the shingles in areas where water can collect or leak through the roof line—places like valleys, around chimneys and skylights, surrounding vents, and abutting walls from dormers. They can corrode, rust, or even crack. When this happens, water can easily make its way through your roofline. Inspect your flashing seasonally. If you notice the seals around your flashing are cracked or lifted, have the seal replaced.
CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
The chimney is one of the main culprits of a roof leak. Most of the time, it’s due to cracked or damaged flashing. These are thin strips of metal installed around the roof, which provide a seal in areas where the roof intersects. Chimney flashing is bent at a 90-degree angle with one side laid under the shingles and the other side nailed into the chimney. The top of the flashing is then sealed with caulk, which will fail over time. If the flashing isn’t properly sealed or nailed into place, water can intrude and enter your home. Even the flashing itself can wear down over time after prolonged exposure to bad weather, so it’s important to have your chimney inspected once a year.
Another common place where your roof can leak is around a vent pipe. Also known as a plumbing vent, this pipe protrudes from the rood to allow air to escape from the home. A vent pipe often has flashing around it and a rubber boot to seal the top of the vent. After enduring the weather over time, the flashing may become worn and cracked, leading to a roof leak. The rubber boot can fail in as little as seven years, so periodic maintenance can help stop roof leaks before they happen.
Flashing is vitally important in the protection of water penetration on your roof. Flashing are the metal strips laid under the shingles in areas where water can collect or leak through the roof line—places like valleys, around chimneys and skylights, surrounding vents, and abutting walls from dormers. They can corrode, rust, or even crack. When this happens, water can easily make its way through your roofline. Inspect your flashing seasonally. If you notice the seals around your flashing are cracked or lifted, have the seal replaced.