When your roof is installed properly, it offers excellent protection for the rest of your house. Some areas of a roof, however, are more likely to have problems, such as leaks, that occur more than others. This article looks at four key areas of your roof where leaks and other issues can sometimes materialize.
Vents
Roof vents are the features on your roof where the roofing material is penetrated to allow for air to enter or leave your house. For example, ridge vents at the top of a roof help the attic stay well-ventilated. Venting a roof makes sure that the attic does not become too hot or humid, which can cause roof damage in some cases.
Unfortunately, roof vents, although they are necessary for a roof to function at an optimal level, are occasionally the source of leaks because they must have flashing around them. The flashing might consist of a rubber boot, as well as metal flashing. Vent flashing is susceptible to leaking if it's not installed properly or if it has been damaged by a falling branch or hail, etc.
Homeowners will sometimes try to stop a vent leak by using caulk on the damaged spot, but this is usually a temporary solution that masks the problem. Having a professional roofing company fix the leak is best.
Valley
Another problem area is where two slopes on your roof intersect, a location called a valley. Leaking valleys are common, according to roofing experts, because they tend to shed more rain and snow than other areas of the roof. Such heavy use means that the shingles and flashing in valleys can wear down over time.
Just like with vent leaks, homeowners who discover their valleys are leaking may be tempted to patch up the problems with caulk or tar, but roofing pros discourage this practice. You need the experience of an experienced roofer to solve the problem permanently.
Roof Border
Two important components of your roof are on the roof border at the bottom: the fascia and the soffits. The fascia runs vertically along the roof edge, while the soffits are under the eaves. If either one of these roof border components gets damaged, it could affect important roof components such as the rafters. Watch for any signs of rooting wood or small holes and dents in these two features.
Dormers
If your house has dormers, watch these areas carefully as these roof windows are prone to leaking. Dormers need to have flashing installed all the way around them, so leaks are possible if the flashing is harmed by falling limbs, or hail or was improperly installed. One good idea is to have a roofer inspect your roof for dormer leaks and any other leaks, on annual basis.
For more information on this topic, contact a roofing contractor in your area.
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.