Where to Look When Your Roof Leaks
If you are experiencing moisture entering your house through the roof, there are lots of reasons why it could be happening. It is never fun when your roof leaks, but a professional roofer should be able to identify where the water is coming from. There are a few things the roofing company will check for, and if you take some proactive steps to keep these items maintained properly, you may be able to prevent your roof from leaking in the first place.
Broken Roof Materials
In the cold winter, shingles can break and crack easily. It is even quite common for the wind to blow shingles off the roof completely. This leaves openings for water to get through into your house. Even when the shingles are all in place, chimneys occasionally crack, allowing wetness to enter your house.
One of the most frequently cited causes of roof leaks is damaged flashing. Flashing is metal or plastic material used to direct the flow of water away from places where it could enter your house. If it breaks or cracks, there is no way for your flashing to do its job.
Clogged Gutters
Cleaning gutters is an oft-neglected but essential duty for protecting and maintaining your house. Your gutters are there to transport rainwater away from your house. If the gutters fill up with leaves in the fall, the water backs up onto your roof and gets below the shingles. The sitting water on your roof will eventually seep into the house and cause a leak.
Condensation in the Attic
Sometimes a “leak” is not actually a leak at all. If the ventilation in your attic leaves something to be desired, you may end up with moisture from the lower floors accumulating in the attic. Eventually that dampness will find its way into your ceilings and walls, causing damage.
As you can see, when your roof leaks, checking for broken roof materials, clogged gutters, and condensation in your attic is a good way to start diagnosing the problem. Doing proper maintenance on these areas is a good way to help prevent a problem in the first place.