The Most Common Causes of Roof Leaks

Having to worry about the mess a leaking rooftop will cause when it starts raining can be disturbing. Moving items away from the dripping spot and placing of a drip bucket every time it rains is not something anyone would like. 

Why Your Roof is Leaking

This article will focus on the most common causes of roof leaks, how they occur, what they look like and also how to fix them.

Improper Sealing of the Valleys

A valley is where the two sloping planes of a roof meet. Lack of proper sealing may cause rainwater to run down the ceiling. Wet spots running along the seams of your roof can be an indicator of this problem. Faults in the sealing of these valleys may be a result of cracking when stepped on or erosion over time due to excess rainwater or ice dropping. It is not advisable to attempt fixing it on your own if you are not a professional. Your roofer will usually add a new leak barrier running along the weak point of the valley.

A Cracked Booting Vent

Roof vents appear as small pipes protruding out of the rooftop. They work to expel excess moisture from the house. The appearance of dark spots in this area is an indicator of a leak.

Leaks mostly occur due to the decay of the roof or the breaking of the flashing that seals the vents. You can fix leaking vents by replacing the rubber boot with a new one. To do this, you need to remove the old rubber with a knife, break the seal of the connecting shingles with a pry and then slide in the new rubber boot before securing it with roofing nails.

Improper Installation of Your Skylights

Leaks from this part are likely to be noticed by the occurrence of wet spots or the need to place a drip bucket around the skylights’ sides. Most of them are caused by the decay of the skylights or inaccurate measuring and fitting during installation. You can seal the cracks on the skylight using a layer of clear silicone.

Cracked Flashing

The flashing are pieces of thin metal installed on the roof joints and under the shingles to offer a water-resistant barrier. Broken flashing creates large cracks. Cracking of the flashing will probably occur from the corrosion of the tar used to seal them leaving them exposed to elements like wind and rain that cause the cracks. The problem is fixed by replacing the old flashing under the shingles with a new one.

Condensation in Your Attic

A key indicator of leaks from your attic is the growth of mold or mildew in its space or/and a strong musty odor coming from the attic. Condensation will occur due to the difference of the indoor and outdoor temperatures of your house. Fixing this involves first treating the mold and then isolating your attic to avoid massive fluctuations in temperature.

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