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.
Reasons For Roof Leaks
You know your roof is leaking. Maybe you see water stains on the ceiling, or it’s more obvious with water dripping through the ceiling. Before you can get the leaks to stop and repair the damage inside, you need to know what’s causing the leak. Finding the root cause of the water leakage is essential to repairing it and preventing future issues. Leaks typically happen due to damage to the roof, but that damage can take on different forms.
Leaky roofs matter because problems flow from the top of your home. If your home’s roof is not in shape, you can count on other issues to develop. The biggest issue of all of these? Water damage. Since your roof is the primary defense against outside elements, it needs to be an impenetrable roof. Once a hole develops, they only get bigger. This allows more water into your home and more and more cascading damage.
Below are common causes of roof leakage.
Lifted Shingles
When your shingles are first installed, the asphalt is activated by the sun’s heat to seal the shingle to the roof’s surface and the shingle beneath. However, when you see shingle tabs lifting or curling up, the seal is breaking down, and your roof is no longer watertight. On top of the potential for leaks, the lifted portions of your shingles are easily caught by the wind, and high winds can quickly strip those shingles from your roof and turn them into projectiles. Shingles are not light, and the damage they can do to your neighbor\s property can be extensive.
Loose Flashing
Flashing is the material, often metal, used to blend roof features, such as chimneys and vents, into the shingles on your roof to eliminate water leaks. Flashing is notoriously difficult to get right and needs to be installed with expert care. If your flashing loosens or the sealant simply wears down, water leaks are almost guaranteed. Water will infiltrate through the interior of the flashing and run straight to the wood decking on your roof. Problems like this can’t be seen from the ground, which is why annual roof inspections are a good idea, as well as inspecting your roof after any violent storm.
Flashing is metal that goes over joints and seams to protect from leaks. But it can also be a potential cause of leaks. Flashing that’s not installed correctly can allow water to enter. The flashing may move out of position if it’s not attached well. It can also get damaged over time. The metal might corrode, crack, or otherwise get damaged and let water in.
Leaky Skylights
Skylights are a great idea. They let in a ton of natural light during the day and let you gaze at the stars at night. Unfortunately, they also are famous for imperfect seals, especially if your skylight is over a decade old. Watermarks around skylights are such a common sight that unmarred skylights look strange. But those roof leaks are not harmless and can cause trouble if not repaired. First, they travel into your roof structure, softening the wood and weakening your roof. Then, in torrential rain, those small leaks can turn into an interior torrent as the weight from so much water rips open the weakened seams.
Heat Buckling
Older roofs that lack proper venting can get so hot that the shingles will buckle and break their seal with the roof structure. Buckled shingles can let water back up underneath the uneven edge and soak into the wood.
The buckled asphalt shingle can also catch high winds, which will then rip the shingle from your roof. If you fail to have your roof repaired, the next big storm could take it off completely.
Holes
A hole in your roof is an obvious entry point for water. Nothing stops the water from flowing right into your home. Holes can happen over time if you don’t care for your roof. They can also happen suddenly if something hits your roof. Another potential source of holes is removing objects from your roof. Taking down an old antenna or satellite dish potentially leaves behind holes where those objects were anchored to the roof. If you have anything removed from your roof, ensure the holes get patched correctly.
Missing or Damaged Shingles
Shingles protect your roof and help the water run off of the roof to the gutters. If they’re compromised in any way, they can’t do their job, which may allow leaks. Sometimes the damage starts from the beginning. Shingles or roofing that isn’t installed correctly can allow leaks. Faulty roofing materials can also lead to leakage from the beginning. Storm or wind damage can cause damage to the shingles. Heavy wind can cause shingles to blow off the roof. A fallen branch can puncture the shingles and the roofing underneath them. Inspect your roof periodically to look for damage or missing shingles, especially after bad weather. If the roof is otherwise in good condition, you can replace the damaged or missing pieces.
Gutter Issues
Water runs down your roof and into the gutters. Leaves, sticks, and other debris can also end up in the gutter. If you don’t clean your gutters regularly, the debris builds up and keeps water from flowing. The water can build up onto the roof, where it can go under the shingles and cause leaks. Clean your gutters at least three times per year to keep them clear. If you have a lot of trees around, you may need to clear them more often.
Old Age
Your roof eventually needs to be replaced due to wear and tear. How long a roof lasts depends largely on the roofing material used. The common asphalt shingles you see on many houses usually last around 20 years, but some last shorter or longer periods depending on the quality of the roofing. Fiber cement shingles hold on a little longer, lasting around 25 years. If you have wood shakes or shingles, they should last around 30 years. Slate, tile, and metal roofing give you the longest life before it needs to be replaced. These materials can often last 50 years or longer. As it gets old, the roofing can become brittle and deteriorate. This prevents it from protecting your home from leaks. Damage or neglect can shorten the life of your roof, no matter the material. If you know your roof is getting older or you haven’t maintained it, the leak could be due to normal breakdown due to old age.
Roof Slope Issues
A shallow roof slope or a flat roof can increase the chances of leaks. The slope of the roof helps water run off efficiently. If the roof doesn’t have much of a slope, the water can slow down or pool up on the roofing material, and it may eventually leak into your home.
Ridge Caps and Valleys
The peaks and valleys on your roof add to the architectural design, but they also create potential entry points for water. If you notice the leaks coming into your home in those specific areas, you may have issues with how they’re sealed. Valleys are the V-shaped spots where slopes meet. Damage to the material covering the valleys can allow water to seep inside. They can also leak if they were never sealed properly.
Vents, Skylights, and Chimneys
Your roof may have vents, skylights, and chimneys on them that create the potential for leaking. If those features aren’t installed properly, they may leave gaps along them where water can seep into the house. Proper installation ensures those features are sealed and watertight. You may need to have them resealed over time to keep them protected.
Skylights may let in leaks if the hole doesn’t match the skylight size exactly. The insulation around the skylight can also deteriorate over time and allow leaking. Cracks and damage to the actual window are other potential leak sources. Chimneys may break down over time and allow water into the home. Damaged or missing mortar and holes in the chimney are potential causes.
Attic Condensation
Sometimes the water damage doesn’t come from outside the home. Condensation buildup in the attic can cause water damage and leaking inside your home. Condensation happens when the attic is ventilated poorly or lacks proper insulation. Extreme temperature changes can add to the condensation. Not only does it potentially cause water damage inside the home, but condensation can also cause mold and mildew to grow in your home.
Roof Debris
Has it been a while since you cleaned off your roof? Or maybe you had a storm recently that caused branches and debris to build up on your roof. That organic debris can cause leaking even if it doesn’t damage the shingles. Leaves, sticks, and other debris block the water from flowing off the roof properly. It can cause the water to pool up on the roof or back up under the shingles. The water can seep down into the roof and into your home.
CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
When your shingles are first installed, the asphalt is activated by the sun’s heat to seal the shingle to the roof’s surface and the shingle beneath. However, when you see shingle tabs lifting or curling up, the seal is breaking down, and your roof is no longer watertight. On top of the potential for leaks, the lifted portions of your shingles are easily caught by the wind, and high winds can quickly strip those shingles from your roof and turn them into projectiles. Shingles are not light, and the damage they can do to your neighbor\s property can be extensive.
Missing or Damaged Shingles
Sometimes the water damage doesn’t come from outside the home. Condensation buildup in the attic can cause water damage and leaking inside your home. Condensation happens when the attic is ventilated poorly or lacks proper insulation. Extreme temperature changes can add to the condensation. Not only does it potentially cause water damage inside the home, but condensation can also cause mold and mildew to grow in your home.