It’s bad enough coming home to a leaky sink or a basement leak, but what’s worse is coming home to a leaking roof. No one should have to ever worry about their roof leaking; each time a droplet of water comes falling down from the roof, it just sounds like money going down the drain. It’s important to know what’s causing a roof to leak in the first place to determine the best way to go about fixing the problem.
Cracked Flashing, Broken Shingles, Improperly Sealed Valleys
Perhaps the flashing is cracked. Flashing are slender pieces of metal placed beneath roofing shingles on the front and back edges of the roof and valleys for the purpose of designing an impermeable barrier. Flashing can crack due to the corrosion of tar, which is used to seal the flashing.
If the flashing is not cracked, then the shingles, which are the outer layer of the roof, could be broken and the cause of a leaking roof. Why would my shingles even be broken? Well, the weather is usually the main culprit. Shingles can face plenty of wear and tear as they are always exposed to different types of weather conditions, like heavy rain with damaging wind.
So, if the flashing is not cracked and the shingles aren’t worn or broken, then there’s the possibility that I could be dealing with improperly sealed valleys, which could be the cause of a leaking roof.
Valleys are usually two sloping planes that meet together on the roof. There can be several reasons why they’re ineffective. Maybe there was a very rainy season or maybe the winter was long and cold and there were several instances when ice was constantly freezing over everything, like the roof. Maybe the professional(s) installing the valleys were stepping on them too much, resulting in cracking the roofing material. There’s also the possibility that the valleys were just not sealed properly, which can result in a leaky roof.
Cracked Vent Booting, Ice Dam Buildup, Improperly Installed Skylights
A vent boot covers and shields the protruding pipes that stick out of a roof. When determining if the vent booting is cracked, check the ceiling inside the household to identify any dark spots, as that may be a sign of a leaking roof. The flashing, which seals the roof vents, has the potential to become cracked or decay overtime.
An ice dam buildup is highly less likely to occur in South Florida. If for some reason it ever does occur, an it’s simply a formation of ice that develops at the edge of the roof and prevents melting snow from running off the roof. An ice dam buildup can also be the culprit of a roof leaking.
Maybe the skylights were improperly installed. An inaccurate measuring and fitting, along with decayed insulation surrounding the skylights, can contribute to a leaky roof. If there are leaks and wet spots closer to the top of the skylights, this could be a result of damaged flashing. Typically, issues with skylights tend to be noticeable due to apparent wet spots or needing to position buckets around the border of the skylights.
Clogged Gutters, Cracked Chimney, Attic Condensation, Roofing Overuse
Leaves can quickly and easily clog gutters. If for some reason there are no leaves visible in the gutters, there will be a significant lack of flowing water exiting out from the downspout during a rainstorm.
When clogged gutters occur, the movement of water carried away from the roof, due to the design of the gutters, can begin to pool. This increases the chance for rainwater to creep into any existing cracks, which can be a reason why the roof is leaking.
When we talk about chimneys, we tend to associate them with Santa Claus. But when talking about a cracked chimney, I know dear old St. Nick is not to blame; bad weather and harsh conditions can cause a chimney to crack, which can result in a leaky roof. The mortar that encompasses the base of the chimney can easily erode because it’s a simple, dense concoction of water, sand, and cement; the mortar would show evident wear and tear.
Also, a professional would scan for holes where the chimney attaches to the roof as that could also be the source of a roof leaking.
Condensation can happen anywhere, including the attic. If the roof is leaking, there may be condensation in the attic. AABCO Roofing suggests being observant of any distinct musty odors emerging from the attic, as that is a key indicator that water has made its way inside. Also, it’s important to watch for any indications of mold growth and mildew. The attic endures indoor and outdoor temperatures, whether that be humid summers or freezing winters, a combination of weather conditions can cause condensation.
Roofing overuse? How could I possibly be overusing my roof? Well, roofing overuse is the result of stepping on it quite frequently. Most of the roofing material placed and incorporated on roofs are very delicate, so if for some reason I’m always walking around on my roof, I run the risk of damaging it and causing a leaking roof.
Roofing Contractors Near Me
Knowing where the source of the problem is to a leaky roof is important. If we know where the roof is leaking from, we can better determine if we need to call a professional. There could be some more reasons as to why there’s a leaky roof, but these are some of the top reasons why anyone could be experiencing a leaking roof.
Do you have more roofing related questions? Check out our rooftop tips, follow us on Facebook, or call AABCO Roofing at 954-426-8500; we’ve got you covered!
