Common Roof Leaks (& What Causes Them)

Roofing Tips

roof leaks

There’s nothing fun about a roof leak. Not only do they normally occur at inappropriate times, but they also take time and cost money to fix. It can be hard to pinpoint the exact cause of a roof leak. Luckily there are some common causes of roof leaks. Knowing what these causes are will help you to prevent leaks before they happen. Here are five common causes of roof leaks that you should know about.

Damaged Shingles

Missing shingles are quite visible and easy to diagnose. You may not have noticed an interior leak, but a patchy roof with damaged shingles may be causing a roof leak in your attic without you knowing. To do a proper shingle inspection, you may need to get a professional to climb onto your roof to inspect. They will be able to assess the extent of the damage and conduct a thorough repair. Remember to check your roof after a storm that involves high winds as this can loosen shingles.

Broken Vent Boots

Vent boots are external fixtures on your roof and are therefore vulnerable to damage. The rubber boot slides over the plastic vent that project from your roof. The rubber around the pipe tends to deteriorate over time and may even be showing early signs of rot. Whenever a rubber boot is damaged, it means that it’s not creating that water-tight seal. This means that water may be leaking through the boot into your house. Most rubber boots can be replaced, but if there is considerable corrosion, you may require a thorough roof repair job.

Faulty Flashing

Made of metal, roof flashing seals channel large volumes of water down and off of your roof. Flashing is usually placed around joint areas such as roof dormers, chimneys, and skylights. These pieces of flashing can be particularly vulnerable to wear and tear over time. Sections of flashing may even slide out of place if there are missing nails. They can also dry out and crack over prolonged periods. If you’re experiencing a roof leak, you may need a section of your flashing replaced.

Clogged Gutters

Gutters are designed to catch and channel water towards the ground. They may also be catching various debris such as leaves, pine needles, twigs, or even dust and silt. As you can imagine, debris will limit the ability if your gutter to properly drain water during storms. It’s therefore important to regularly clean out your gutters. You can do this by using a hose to wash the leaves away. You may even need to get a brush to clean our gutters properly. Another option is to invest in some gutter covers that prevent debris from accumulating in your gutter.

Tired Roofs

Do you know the age of your roof? You may be experiencing a roof leak because your roof is tired and in need of a replacement. Over time, severe weather conditions and temperature fluctuations take their toll on our roofs. Expansion and contraction can cause shingles to crack and even dislodge. Tiles can also crack with age and sunlight can even begin to melt away the tar that seals your shingles. If you suspect your roof could be aging, its best to get in a reputable roof contractor to do a thorough inspection.

Consult With The Roof Leak Experts

If you think one of these causes may be the culprit behind your roof leak, then it’s time to call in the roof experts. AABCO Roofing provides high-quality and professional service and an affordable price. We will see to all roof maintenance and repair jobs and will ensure that any leaks are well taken care of in a hurry. Call us today at 1-954-426-8500.

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