4 Causes for a Leaky Roof

What Could Cause a Leaky Roof?

Any homeowner can tell you, a leaky roof is what nightmares are made of. Running to grab a bucket every time it begins to rain becomes tiresome. Especially in tropical states such as Florida, rain is an extremely common occurrence. A leaky roof means water coming into your home; water in your home goes hand in hand with water damage. Having to repair water damage can be a hassle and very costly. Here are four reasons why your roof may be leaking, and how to resolve the issue.

Cracked Flashing

Every roof has a thin piece of metal under the singles called a Flashing. This flashing is what created the waterproof barrier between your house and the wrath of mother nature. Cracks in flashing can happen when the tar used to secure the flashing begins to corrode. To repair your flashing, you need to lift surrounding shingles to remove the cracked area. After the cracked piece is removed you can lay a new piece of flashing to match the pattern of your roof, add a little roofing sealant to the nails used to secure the new shingles in, and your roof will be looking good as new.

Broken or Torn Shingles

Broken shingles are very common especially places where there is strong winds. You may even see your lawn littered with shingles after a bad storm. This is a quick and easy fix. Take a pry bar and slide it underneath the row of nails that is connecting the shingle with damage, to the one below it. Lift the nails while also pressing down on the shingle during the process. Continue this process for all of the remaining nails in your roof. After you’re able to remove the broken shingle, replace it with a new one and secure it down with four new nails.

Leaky Valleys

Valleys are the two planes of your roof meet, creating a sloped valley type area. If these areas of your roof aren’t sealed tightly, this can let water drip through your ceiling into your house. You can tell if your valleys are leaking by looking for wet spots along the seams of your roof. This is generally caused from not being properly installed in the first place, or excessive water and ice corroding the sealant over time. To fix this it is recommended to call in some professional help to get the job done.

Clogged Gutters

Clogged gutters are the most common culprits for leaky roofs. Gutters are put in place to ensure water gets carried away from the roof to prevent leaks. When there is a buildup of leaves or other debris in your gutter, it makes it virtually impossible for water to flow through. You’ll be able to tell when you have a clog in your gutter by looking up and seeing leaves spilling out over the top. You should never be able to see anything resting in your gutter, let alone enough debris to be spilling over. Giving your gutters a monthly cleaning can prevent build-up and keep your roof in tip top shape.

Of course, once your roof begins to leak you should be looking for emergency roof repair before it gets worse. But these four things can be checked at a glance now and then to help prevent leaks or potentially catch it before it gets much worse. If you need your roof repaired, don’t hesitate to call us, check our reviews and references and we’ll give you a fast, fair and free estimate.