No one wants to deal with a leaky roof. It’s messy, frustrating, and can be a headache to repair. On top of that, if your roof is leaking and you don’t repair it quickly, the damage can lead to mold and mildew growth. It can cause damage to both the interior and exterior of your home and can even eventually lead to structural damage. Here are a few of the most common reasons your roof is leaking.
1. You Have Damaged Flashing
Flashing are thin pieces of metal that are installed under shingles on the joints of the roof to create a water-tight barrier. Although flashing is sometimes left exposed, it is often concealed under a rubberized coating. Over time, the tar that is used to seal the flashing together can corrode and crack. Once the flashing is exposed, wind and rain could cause it to crack, leading to a leak.
2. You Have Damaged Shingles
Inclement weather such as high winds and heavy rains can cause shingles to blow around, bend, and even come completely off of the roof. Identifying a missing or damaged shingle isn’t difficult for someone with a trained eye, and replacing them can often be done by the homeowner.
3. Your Gutters are Clogged
The job of your gutters is to take water away from your roof and foundation and reduce leaks. However, if your gutters are clogged, the water will have an opportunity to pool in one area of the roof and encourage leaks.
You can spot signs of clogged gutters easily. If there are obvious leaves and debris in the gutters, they probably aren’t able to do their job. You might also notice the lack of water trickling out of a downspout during a rainstorm.
Luckily, this leak is one that can easily be prevented by cleaning your gutters regularly. Get some good work gloves, a ladder, and a bucket or tarp on the ground. Clean all debris from the gutters regularly to prevent leaks.
4. You Have had Damage from an Ice Dam
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms on the edge of the gutters and prevents melting snow from draining off of the roof. The weight of the ice itself can cause the gutters to pull away from the roof and cause damage. In addition, the water that pools as a result of the ice dam can cause further damage.
Because most ice dams form as a result of clogged gutters, being sure to remove all debris from the gutters in late fall is key to preventing a leak caused by an ice dam.
5. There is Condensation in Your Attic
Depending on the location of the leak in your roof, you can sometimes pinpoint what is causing the leak. For example, a leak near a joint indicates damaged flashing. If the location of the leak isn’t obvious or you notice discoloration in the middle of the ceiling, it is likely that the leak is caused by condensation in the attic.
Condensation in the attic is often caused by an issue with the roof ventilation. As the uppermost part of your home, the attic is trapped between the inside and outside temperatures. When those temperatures clash and there is not an adequate amount of ventilation, condensation will form, and moisture will follow. A strong, musty odor from the attic or signs of mold or mildew growth are indications of condensation.
6. You Have an Issue with Your Skylights
A leak at a skylight should be easy to spot. Drips, wet spots, or discoloration around the skylights are clear indications of a leak at the skylight. There are two common causes of a leak of this type. First, skylights that were improperly measured and fitted during installation are likely to leak. Secondly, decayed insulation along the skylights’ edges can cause a leak as well.
Roof Leak Repair in Greenwood, IN
Of course, there are other reasons your roof might be leaking. The best way to diagnose and fix the problem is to have your roof inspected by a trusted local roofer. During your free roof inspection from E3 Roofing & Remodeling, we’ll identify any existing issues and any areas that may pose problems in the future. Then, we’ll recommend a plan to correct these problems according to priority. No matter why your roof is leaking, when you work with E3, you can rest assured that your roof will be repaired quickly, efficiently, and safely. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.