Beware! The Most Common Causes of Roof Leaks

It doesn’t matter whether your living space is small or large; roof leakage is the last thing you want. Anything that projects through the roof, such as plumbing and roof vents, chimneys, dormers, should be inspected. They can be several feet above the leak or to the right or left. Like for everything else, prevention is better than treatment, and therefore quality maintenance can increase the life-span of a roof.

Roofing issues mean an investment of time and money.? If you face a leaking roof, then there can be as many causes behind that. If you don?t want a hefty bill, get your roof checked and repaired every time you feel needed.?

There can be several causes for a leaky roof. At Ark Restoration & Roofing Services, we?re roofing experts with years of experience providing efficient roofing services to our clients. 

No person wants to be running for a bucket when it rains. A roof is a mandatory part of comfort living, and it demands care and proper inspections to provide a quality life. The article compiles the list of some most common causes of roof leaks to save you that investment. 

Keep on reading, and by the end, you will know what they look like, why they happen, and how to fix them.

Spot The Leakage First

To treat a cause, you need to know its origin. Start by looking at the roof uphill from the stains and look for roof penetrations first. The most common source of roof leakage is the items that pass through. You would be amazed to know that leaks rarely develop in open areas of uninterrupted shingles.

If you have attic access, the easiest way to track down a leak is to go up there with a flashlight and look for the evidence. Look for water stains, black marks, or mold.

If you?re still unable to detect the actual leakage spot, hire a professional roof service provider to do it for you. Feel free to connect to Ark Restoration & Roofing Services for further assistance.

Your Shingles Might Be Broken

Shingles that are too old and brittle can fall off the roof. If this happens, the roof will be vulnerable when it experiences hail, rain, or snow. Homeowners should have their roofs inspected twice a year, and a professional can watch out for missing shingles. 

Sloped Roof

The wind can lift the shingles and drive the rain underneath if the roof is sloppy. According to the International Building Code, the slope must be at least 12:2 for the installation of asphalt shingles. You need to make sure that the roofing material and the roof pitch are accurate and properly installed to avoid any leaking issues.

How old is Your Roof?

Every material comes with an average life and requires a replacement or maintenance once it surpasses that time. An old roof is a common cause of leakage. As your roof ages, its withstand weathering weakens, along with other environmental factors such as insects or falling branches. 

The above issues can lead to structural damage that will need repairing before it?s too late. If you do not have any leak signs yet but have a more than 20 years old roof, you need to think of replacing the roof before it becomes necessary. 

Clogged Gutters

Gutters work to keep water away from the roof. A blockage forms and gets clogged, creating hurdles in traveling. This leads to a water pool in one area of the roof and increases penetration risk. If you don?t see the leaves sticking out of the gutter when you look, you should notice the lack of water trickling out of a downspout during a rainstorm.

You need to get up on a ladder and get in there with your hands to fix it. Get rid of all the debris and wrap it up for easy disposal later. Clean your gutters in the spring and fall to increase water flow.

Identify the Holes in the Roof

Strong winds, hail, and snow can create holes in your roof, contributing to water damage. You need to have routine roof inspections to look out for these holes and patch them up to avoid roof leakage. It?s not always necessary that the holes are visible, and a professional review might do the work more efficiently.

Try identifying any damage for yourself when you experience heavy rain or snow. If you are lucky, you might be able to locate yourself.

Extreme Weather Conditions

There?s bad news for people living in areas with high exposure to extreme temperatures. It leads to weakening structure and leaks. You can get ice dams as a reason for freezing rain, which accumulates around the edges to create a barrier.

Installing roof insulation on top of the shingles is the only way to prevent leaks. You need to do it before the roof starts leaking. Check for holes that allow more heat into the attic through vents, and seal them immediately!

Of course, You Can Prevent It!

There?s always a damage prevention way for everything. Perhaps it is better to take prevention measures rather than spending a hefty amount on the damage repair later. Here are some tips to prevent roof leakage:

  • Have regular inspections
  • Look for damaged or missing shingles
  • Have trees and shrubs planted away from your roof
  • Work on improving ventilation

Don?t wait until it?s too late.

Roof leakage can be frustrating for any homeowner, and it interferes with the quality of life in a bad way. Roof leakage is not just to deal with but expensive, and frequent inspections can help prevent it. You must know that despite detecting the exact location of the damage on the ceiling, it is still difficult to ascertain the actual affected area of the roof. Therefore, it?s important to have a trusted professional assist you.

Neglecting the problems stated above can be disastrous for the structure of your home. Follow the article for some significant roof damage indications and how to inspect them. Getting a quality roof isn?t enough; you must keep up with the maintenance.