While roofs are irrefutably essential to your home, many property owners do not check their condition regularly. Specifically, they may not schedule yearly inspections or check for signs of damage after a severe storm. In fact, they might only seek professional assistance when they notice water damage in the home. Keeping in mind that a variety of issues can cause your roof to leak, identifying them early enables you to avoid costly repairs or even a roof replacement. This guide explores what can lead to water damage in your home.
Improper Sealing of the Roof Valley
Water will likely penetrate your home when it rains if there was improper sealing of the roof valley during a DIY installation. Leaks may also occur around this section if you step on the seal while walking on the roof or because of erosion from heavy rains. Generally, you can tell that there's damage to the roof's valley if you see water spots on the seam. In such cases, your roofer may fix the problem by leak-proofing the valley.
Damage to the Roof Flashing
The flashing is a metal sheet that roofing contractors lay around the protrusions of your house. Without regular inspections for damage or corrosion on the flashing, it can potentially cause moisture problems in your home. In some cases, the seals that hold the flashing can rust, losing their cohesive property. The resulting cracks are likely to act as a pathway for water leaks. Fortunately, when you call your roofer to address flashing damage, they will look for cracks, corrosion, and rust build-up. Depending on the underlying cause, they may reseal the flashing or replace it altogether.
A Faulty Vent Boot
The vent is the piping that protrudes on your roof and is responsible for expelling moisture from your home. Notably, vents have a rubber boot around them that prevents water from entering your home. However, the vent boot may become brittle and crack with time, resulting in water leaks. If this is the case, you might notice the paint peeling in your bathroom or damage to the roofing material near the vent. This problem needs to be addressed quickly to avoid extensive roof damage.
A Build-Up of Ice Dams on Your Roof
During the winter, ice can accumulate near the roof's edge, preventing water from draining properly. The ice and water may place excessive weight on the roof, causing it to crack. To avoid damage to your roof, consider using the recommended tools to remove the ice before it builds up. Moreover, contact your contractor to replace any damaged roofing material.
Water leaks can cause significant damage to your home. Thus, if you notice any of the issues mentioned above, consider seeking the help of a local roofing contractor.
One day when we were all sitting in our living room, I thought I felt a drop of water fall onto my arm. At first, I figured it was my imagination, but when the second one fell, I knew we had an issue. Although it wasn't raining that day, it had rained the day before, so I started looking for the source of the problem. After looking in my attic, I could tell what the problem was, and I knew I had to fix it. I started looking for ways to stop the water immediately, but it just wasn't working for me. Fortunately, roofers came out, fixed the problem, and showed me what I needed to do to clean up the mess. Read more on this blog.