4 Common Causes of Roof Leaks

Are you concerned about a roof leak in your home? Roof leaks are one of the most common problems homeowners face and can result in costly damage if you do not address them promptly. Unfortunately, you can’t always spot the source of a leak in the roof. Read on to discover four common causes of roof leaks and tips to help you protect your home from water damage.

1. Roof Age

Roofing materials are only good for a certain number of years. Because of a combination of causes, the roof becomes less effective at water ingress prevention as it ages. Temperature changes cause roofing materials to become brittle, which can lead to tile cracking. Direct sunshine can melt the tar that holds the shingles together, which can weaken the roof's capacity to keep water out.

Furthermore, adverse conditions such as strong winds, hail, and torrential downpours can wear down the roof and make it less effective at keeping water out. Finally, frequent deterioration from debris, collisions, and other external pressures can weaken the roof's structure and make it more vulnerable to water penetration.

2. Improper Installation

Incorrect installation can occur for various reasons, including the use of the incorrect roofing materials for the pitch of your roof, the use of too little or too much sealant, improperly placed fasteners, or inadequate installation of skylights and valleys.

You can only install roofing materials, such as tiles, slates, or sheets, on roofs with a specific pitch range, and the installation method varies depending on the roof's pitch. If the roofer you hire does this incorrectly, it can quickly lead to pricey complications such as a leaking roof.

Another problem might occur when your technician does not securely fasten roofing nails or screws to the rafters. When a nail misses a rafter, it protrudes into the roof area, which provides a direct path for water entry and leaks. These holes are especially troublesome after a cold spell because the nail may frost over in cold weather, but as it warms, the ice melts and begins to flow down.

Improperly installed skylights can leave significant gaps where moisture can enter underneath your roof. Such problems can occur when your roofing service does not properly measure or fit the skylight. Also, it can happen if the insulation used at the skylight's margins is low-grade and deteriorates quickly.

3. Attic Condensation

Poor insulation and inadequate ventilation are frequently the causes of attic condensation. Condensation can happen when heated air from inside the house encounters the chilly surface of the attic. This air mixture can then cause a build-up of excessive moisture in the attic, which might harm the roof and its structural integrity. Moisture can also promote the formation of mold, mildew, and rot, as well as cause leaks.

4. Damaged Components

Lead flashing, which sits along roof seams to seal and protect them from water ingress, is especially prone to damage from progressive wear and tear, exposure to variable temperatures, direct impacts, or caulk slipping out of place. If the flashing fractures or deteriorates, it can become the ideal location for a roof leak to begin and cause major problems.

Similarly, cracked or missing shingles can allow water to enter, especially during heavy rain. Damaged shingles might permit water to infiltrate your roof area, clog your underlayment, and penetrate into structural timbers, causing condensation and decay.

Damaged roofing membranes or underlay can also cause leaks because they are meant to cope with small amounts of moisture and transport it to your gutters. However, if pushed to bear too much pooling water, this can result in difficulties such as the underlay rot or tear, which can lead to a continuous leak.

Roof leaks can also result from clogged gutters, which transport water away from the roof system and keep it from entering places it shouldn't. If your gutters become blocked, water will pool and have a greater chance of seeping into the structure of your home.

Contact us at DeShazo and Son Roofing, Inc. for roofing repairs, installations, and other services.