Things to Look For That Might Signify a Roof Leak

Roofers have a keen eye for areas on the roof that may lead to leaking. They are trained to spot potential areas that will ultimately result in damage to walls, ceilings, and areas in the home’s attic. If you have noticed water stains on the ceiling or inside walls, it may be time to call an experienced roofer for advice on what to do. Check for damaged or missing shingles, ice build-up, rusty or worn flashing, improper or faulty air ventilation, gutter damage, or a build-up of mold or algae on the roof.

Water Stains

Water stains on ceilings or walls means you have water leaking in from somewhere on your roof. To an inexperienced eye it may be hard to pin point the exact area where the water is leaking in because water travels. To an experienced roofer, the source of the problem can be more obvious.

A roofer may find missing shingles during his inspection. For those living in cold weather areas, ice can build up under the buckling or damaged shingles, then as it warms up, the ice melts and water leaks into the attic. Missing or loose shingles can be a sign to an experienced roofer that there may be a leak.

Damaged or Missing Flashing

Damaged or missing flashing around the chimney may allow water to leak into the attic. Look for rusty or missing flashing at the roof’s edge as you prepare for winter.

High winds and snowstorms may be the cause, so it is probably time to replace the flashing. Missing or damaged flashing will result in water leaking down along the sides of your windows, and damage insulation under the siding of your home. An experienced roofing company can apply new flashing around the base of the chimney if you can’t climb onto the roof yourself.

Issues With Air Ventilation

Faulty air ventilation in the attic may cause condensation that leads to water leaking through the ceiling, or it may be the cause of rotting or moldy insulation in the attic. This problem is common in warm weather areas.

Boots around air vents on the roof may be damaged causing roof leaks. Cracks in metal air vents may be sealed with caulking, but caulking is only a temporary fix. The air vent may need to be replaced, and missing or loose screws and nails may need to be replaced with screws with rubber washers to prevent further damage.

Build ups of Ice or Debris

Ice build up may cause a roof to leak. An experienced roofer may advise a homeowner to have an underlayment applied underneath the shingles if they continue to have a problem with leaking caused by ice build-up. It’s a common problem for homeowners who have a low-pitched roof.

Ice dams may form along gutters, causing broken gutters and leaking along the inside walls. Keep gutters free from leaves and other debris to cut down on ice build-up.

Conclusion

Roofers are trained to spot problem areas on roofs that may cause leaking. A roof inspection may help to save money in the long run. Look for missing shingles, mold or algae growth, broken or damaged gutters, and damaged flashing around chimneys and air vents. All are potential problems that homeowners face as a result of storm damage or normal wear and tear. Hiring an experienced roofing company to come out and check your roof for all these different signs of roof leaks can be a very important part of ensuring the lifespan of your roof is increased.

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