Roof Leaks in Heavy Rain – Family Roofing

Posted on by David Reid

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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.

 

Roof Leaks in Heavy Rain

Even if your roof is well-maintained or fairly new, heavy rainfall is still a cause for concern.  The areas of your roof that are prone to pooling water can lead to a leak during heavy rain. Not to mention, your gutters simply may not be able to keep up with the downpour.  Below are the most common causes of roof leaks in heavy rain.

Your Skylight

It is not uncommon for skylights to leak during heavy rains.  This does not necessarily mean the skylight is damaged, but that the condensation from the rain and runoff has a higher chance of leaking through.

In most cases, placing a bucket under the leak will do as a temporary fix.  After the rain stops, call a roofing professional immediately to assess the damages from the leak.

Flat Roofs

Some flat roofs lack the drainage required to keep up with heavy rainfall.  If your roof lacks proper drainage, this is an excellent place to begin improvements.  Below are two easy ways homeowners can take roof leaks in heavy rain into their own hands:

  • Add gutters and downspouts so that roof water runoff drains away from the foundation

  • Clean out debris from gutters and downspouts; repair or replace leaking/damaged sections

Homes with flat roofing must also ensure their roof is properly sealed and that all eaves and flashings are in good standing.  This means that seasonal roof inspections cannot be allowed to fall by the wayside.

Keep in mind that flat roofs don’t always leak in the same manner as pitched roofs.  Instead, you may find drip marks down a large area of your walls or a wet spot on the ceiling.

Water can also accumulate around the perimeter foundation of the home or building.  This sitting water can seep through cracks, siding or foundation walls making lower levels, like the basement or crawl space, wet or damp.

Chimney Flashing Leak 

Chimney Leaks

Chimneys are designed to do an adequate job of keeping the elements out.  Your chimney may be the cause of your leaking roof.  Homes with chimneys are commonly facing problems with roof leaks in heavy rain.

The outer structure of your chimney often retains water, which can make the roof leak in a hard rain.  You must also make sure the shingles and flashing surrounding the chimney are in proper working order.

The flashing is a piece of sheet metal that covers the overlapping areas of the chimney and roof.  Two layers of flashing are applied to the chimney and roof, and a sealed with high-quality urethane caulk.  Naturally, this caulk becomes loose over time and creates a pocket for rainwater to seep in.  Often times reapplying the caulking could work as chimney leak repair, but flashing may need additional maintenance and a trained eye.

Plumbing Leaks

If you have any vent caps for ventilation exhaust fans on your roof, they may be the source of your leak.  Before you climb on the roof to look for leaks, make sure your bath fan duct is insulated. A fan duct that is not properly insulated will moisten the air.   This leads to condensation in the duct.  Look out for moisture building in the bathroom walls, or within the attic.