WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT ROOF LEAKS – 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.

 

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT ROOF LEAKS

If neglected, roof leaks can lead to bigger problems just over a short period.  Not only can the water intrusion lead to structural damage, but it can also cause mold and mildew to spread throughout the house.  Then there are other risks like water finding its way to electrical wiring and becoming a fire hazard.  Needless to say, roof leaks can be a cause of far greater concern than just a few drops of rainwater.

Therefore, it is important that homeowners should always be on the lookout for the common causes of roof leaks.  Finding the cause can help you determine if a quick fix would do or if you are in need of a roof replacement. Here are 5 common causes of roof leaks that you should nip in the bud with adequate home maintenance!

We know that dealing with a roof leak is not fun and while we encourage regular roof maintenance, sometimes leaky roofs happen!

Here are a couple quick tips to know about roof leaks:

  1. Roof leaks always start small but when you roof is leaking, it can lead to bigger issues like mold growth, rotting wood, and interior damage.

  2. When a leak appears, chances are it isn’t brand new.  A professional roofer can often diagnose the leaky roof and any accompanying roof damage.

  3. Find the leak! Performing regular home maintenance and roof checks is proactive, but sometimes you need to call a professional.

Knowing what causes a possible roof leak is vital to being able to diagnose and then fix the said leak.  In general, the shortlist of possible roof leaks may include:

  1. Missing shingles due to wind or storms.

  2. Loose or broken shingles in the yard or visible from the ground.

  3. Pipe collar seals & rubber boot collars that are cracked (usually won’t know until it’s too late).

  4. Flashing leaks (areas around chimneys)

  5. Ridge vent leaks

  6. Skylights, dormers, and chimney areas where moisture can penetrate

  7. Clogged gutters

  8. Roof vents or any area where something sticks out of your roof

  9. Holes in roof

  10. Rotting fascia boards

  11. Age of roof (really old roofs that no longer work)

What to look for if you think you have a leaking roof:

The most obvious sign that you have a roof leak is when you see a water stain on your top floor ceiling on your drywall.

It isn’t uncommon for someone to wake up one morning and to go into a room or their bathroom and see discoloration on their ceiling after a heavy rainstorm.  Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean you need a new roof.  It probably means you need a few shingles repaired or a pipe collar replaced.

Either way, here are some straightforward tips to stay on top of your possible roof leak issues:

  1. Always keep an eye out for missing shingles.  Missing shingles are easy to spot; if you see some missing, handle them immediately before the problem becomes too big!

  2. Do an annual attic inspection.  Look for wetness, mold, stains, and moisture. Hopefully, you won’t see anything like this!

  3. Find a roofing inspector.  Most roof companies will inspect a roof for free.

  4. Look at the common leak areas.  Leaks can occur in skylights, pipe collars, roof vents, and roof flashing areas.  Also, if you see a dip or sag in your roof’s shingles.

  5. Exposed nail heads & nail pops.  If you see a few nail heads aka nail pops, chances are you could have a roof leak in that area.  When a roofing contractor installs a new roof, they not only have to use roofing nails, but they also need to make sure they follow the proper nail patterns.  Improperly driven nails can be a cause of your leaky roof!

If you follow the list above and you can say yes to any, this could mean you might have a possible roof leak.  Be sure to act fast! 

Step 1: Do a quick street view roof inspection.

Got a pair of binoculars? Grab them, survey your roof, and look for any missing shingles.  Be sure to be extra vigilant when heavy wind storms sweep through the area!  You can also look for low spots on your roof and anything else that looks out of place.

Step 2: Call a Roofing Company

Once you think you have a roof leak, or even if you want to get a roof inspection, your next logical step is to call a roofing professional with a great reputation.  Be sure to ask the correct questions such as is the company licensed and insured?  Once they come out and assess your situation, it doesn’t hurt to take their information and get a second opinion.  Based on what the different roofing companies recommend, you can then elect to repair your roof leak or replacement.  Roofing issues are not something to drag your feet on since they can often lead to bigger problems!

Step 4: Fix Your Roof’s Leak

If you find out you have a roof leak, fix it as fast as possible!  As stated, a small leak can become a big leak in a matter of weeks, and even sometimes days based on the rainstorms.  Waiting to fix your roof leak can lead to more damage.  Depending on the cause of the leak and severity, there are instances when you can work with your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if the repair or even new roof is covered by insurance.

We DO NOT recommend getting on a ladder and inspecting the roof yourself or trying to repair the leak yourself.  Ladders are dangerous and can cause serious injury or even death.  Secondly, most repairs are not as simple as just adding a shingle or two.  The leak often requires an expert to fix this problem.

When should you call a roofing contractor to repair your roof?

As soon as you notice a leak.  The quicker you get the leak looked at the better.  You have no idea what hidden damage is being done.  If you have one leak, then chances are another potential problem is about to show up somewhere else.  The entire roof should be inspected when a roofer comes to take a look at the leak.