The Top Five Causes for Leaky Roofs

Any roofing contractor can tell you that your roof is leaking – that much is obvious and the reason why the call is made in the first place. However, determining the leak’s origin and identifying its cause takes expertise. 
As a leading roofing contractor, it is our business to diagnose these types of problems on a daily basis. Below is a list of the most common roofing problems that we encounter in regards to a leaky roof.

ROOFING PROBLEM #1: BROKEN SHINGLES

No matter which material a roofing shingle is made of, they are always susceptible to cracking, erosion and other damage. A shingle’s job is to protect the roof from water damage and rotting. Being so high up on a roof, shingles are often out of range from a homeowner’s vision and when damaged, go unnoticed. It doesn’t take very long for a broken shingle to translate into a leak inside the home; therefore, regular inspections of your roof go a long way.

ROOFING PROBLEM #2: DAMAGED FLASHING

One of the biggest issues that we see in roofing systems is damaged flashing. Flashing is the metal material that is used to line joints, seams and other transition points on a roof to provide more strength and water protection to the roof. Because the material is metal, flashing is highly susceptible to corrosion, rusting and even bending with the natural shifting of a structure. Flashing is only visible in certain places, and can lie beneath the shingle surface. An experienced roofing contractor will know exactly where the flashing lies and will be able to inspect it safely without causing further damage to a roof.

ROOFING PROBLEM #3: PLUMBING AND VENTILATION LEAKS

Many homeowners have plumbing and ventilation systems ran through the roof of their house. Most roofing contractors advise against it, due to the frequent occurrence of leaks, but we see it all the time on roofing jobs. If you have a leak in your roof and pipes, hoses or other ventilation is in the vicinity, there’s a good chance that this is the culprit. Hire a qualified roofing contractor to perform a professional inspection and diagnose the cause of your leak.

ROOFING PROBLEM #4: CRACKED OR CORRODED CHIMNEYS

In roofing, chimneys are also a common cause of roofing leaks. Whether the chimney is metal, brick or stone masonry, it can be susceptible to cracking, swelling, corrosion and other degradation over time. When we visit a roofing site with a chimney, it is one of the first places we inspect for a leak.

ROOFING PROBLEM #5: LEAKY SKYLIGHTS

Skylights are beautiful and add an enormous amount of sunlight to your home, but they can also inadvertently add water and cause leaks inside. A skylight is nothing more than a hole in your roof, covered by glass and secured with caulking and other materials that break down over time. If you have a leak in your roof and have had a skylight installed (whether it was recently or several years ago), this may very well be the cause.

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