Common causes of roof leaks

The roof is one of the most important parts of a building and just like the foundation, it has to be maintained and repaired as soon as you notice any damage. The roof is one of the most important parts for your home because its job is to keep out water and other damaging elements. Without a roof, your house will become infested with water and mold, which will severely damage your belongings and health.

A leaking roof can result in damage not just to your possessions but also to your health. Mold can cause allergies or even asthma. The good thing is that it’s easy to keep your home safe since there are many ways to stop leaks before they happen.

Stopping leaks from happening is a much better option than cleaning up after a disaster. There are many ways to stop leaks before they happen, which include checking the faucets for drips or water that pools in the sink, checking toilets for any loose parts that might be causing a leak, and making sure that pipes are insulated so they don’t loosen and leak.

The 8 Biggest Common causes of roof leaks

1. Harsh weather conditions

• Hail

It is not an everyday phenomenon. But when it hails, it proves extremely harmful for your roof. Furthermore, hail tends to send shingles. It may not be an apparent problem, but the dent caused can dislodge those small protective granules. These granules are said to protect your roof from the harsh UV rays. Damaging those granules might leave your roof in bad condition. It is safe to reduce the shingles’ life expectancy.

• Wind

During a severe storm, your roof can be damaged due to the wind. Strong wind can blow off the shingles of your roof. It can lift the edges of your shingles completely. However, this can damage your roof and its structure. After the windstorms, make sure that you inspect your roof for any missing shingles.

• Sun

The intense IR radiation and UV rays can cause thermal expansion. Your shingles can break down due to the constant exposure to such radiations. Everybody enjoys the sunny weather; however, remember, it can deteriorate your roof.

• Rain

Water is the first and foremost enemy of your roof. One needs to structure their roof in such a way that it should repel the rain waters. A heavy downpour can wash off the protective layer of your house roof. The shingles can be exposed due to the heavy wash-off. It is the point where water deteriorates your house roof.

• Snow

If you live in a cold climate, you may be worried about the ice and snow damage that your roof goes through. If your roof has underlying leaks, then it can expose your house roof to moisture while the snow melts off. When it is time for the snow to melt, you can have a real tough time with this issue during the spring.

• Overgrown trees, leaves, and lichens

If you have trees near your house touching your roof, then it is a serious issue. The following branches of the trees can somehow damage your shingles. Also, big trees can inhibit the water drainage system. When the leaves fall off during the fall season, they can get pushed into the gutter of your house, blocking the force of water off your roof. The excess water can stand stagnant, allowing moisture to seep into the sturdy framework of your house roof, causing a lot of issues, including rotting.

Lichens are yet another issue that can ruin your roof. They are acidic. When the lichen penetrates your shingles, it can break down your shingles, exposing the roof of your house. However, the algae and moss are not that acidic, they accelerate the process of rotting your roof.

• Animals and pests

It is a great joy to watch animals like birds, raccoons, or even squirrels and feed them. But they can cause serious problems with your roof. The most common one is nesting. During the summer and the spring season, birds generally attempt to nest in the roof. Whereas during the fall season, mammals try to take shelter in house roofs to avoid the harsh weather. Some animals choose to eat the top part of your house roof while leaving behind the debris.

When the question of roof damage comes up, the animals are one of the reasons. These animals slide up through the gutters and nest on the house roof. They can also burrow through the shingles of your roof and eventually enter your house.

• Improper installation and unqualified repair job

Nature is not the only thing that can leave a heavy impact on your roof. Sometimes human decisions can cause deterioration to your roof. During the installation, you should appoint a 100% qualified individual to the roof. An improperly installed roof would not perform well. Flashing failure is one of the examples of improper installation. If any less experienced roofer does your roofing, they might not do the job of installing the flash properly. It can create serious problems and consequences to your house roof.

Similarly, when it comes to repairing jobs that need to be done on your roof, you must always look for a qualified maintenance specialist. An unqualified person might fail to understand the root cause of your roofing problem, which in turn can cause your roof to deteriorate over time.

• Poor roof design

The roof design of your house can also be one of the reasons for roof damage. The design problems can make your home vulnerable to the outer elements. Some of the roof design examples include upper roofs drain into the lower ones or shallow valleys running into one another.

• Neglect

If you maintain your roofs properly and regularly, your roof will have greater longevity, whereas improper maintenance can ruin your roof. If you clear your gutters and roof regularly, it can keep the debris and the dirt away from your roof. But leaving your roof unchecked for even a week can shorten up the lifespan of your roof.

• Cracked Vents

Roof vents look like small pipes that stick out on the top of your roof. They are generally placed to evacuate excessive moisture from the inner part of your house. If your vents crack up, they can create dark spots and mustiness all over your house and roof.

Roof vents are sealed by flashing near the opening part. With the tide of time, the flashing can break down, decaying the part of the roof around it.

• Cracking of the flashing

Flashings are generally those thin pieces of metal that you install under your roof shingles. They are also used on the joint of your house roof to create some water-resistant barrier for your house. When they are exposed, they tend to look like long sheet metals. But if they are covered, they would have a rubberized coating on top of it. If the flashing of your roof breakdown it can feature large cracks on the roof.

Roofers while building the roof often include the use of tar to seal the flashing together. This process can, however, rust over time. And in turn, leave your flashing exposed to the outer elements.

Conclusion

These are some of the things that causes of Roof damage. As the saying goes, that ‘a stitch in time saves a nine’; you can also save up your roof if you can understand the problem area. When you get to know the root concern or the root reason for the deterioration, you can tackle it like a pro. Take care of your roof to make it last longer and protect your house from outer elements.