Is Your Roof Leaking? 5 Common Causes & What to Do About It
Have you recently discovered your roof is leaking but are unsure where it’s coming from?
Once you’ve detected water damage coming from your ceiling/roof, it’s critical to act fast. Ignoring a roof leak can lead to significant water damage inside your home, so you need to quickly identify the cause of the leak as soon as you notice a dark spot on your ceiling, wet insulation in your attic, or any other sign of a leaky roof.
Keep reading to better understand five of the most common reasons why your roof may be leaking –
Common Signs You Have a Roof Leak
Your roof, as well as the soffit and fascia boards that enclose it, are intended to prevent water from intruding into your home. Signs that your roofing structure has become compromised, causing a leak, include:
- Dark, puddle-shaped spots on interior ceilings
- The sound of dripping in the home’s attic or walls
- Mold, moss, or fungi growth
- Shingle damage, such as curled, cracked, or missing shingles
- Wet or bulging interior walls due to soaked drywall
- Interior rust or dampness on pipes below a rooftop plumbing vent
If you notice these signs, call in a roof leak repair expert ASAP!
Why is My Roof Leaking?
1. Holes and Seams
Holes and seams are perhaps the most common causes of a roof leak. A falling tree limb may break a hole in the roofing material, animals may chew through wooden boards to access your attic, or the roof may develop a hole over time due to a lack of inspections that could have caught early signs of damage.
Leaks can also be related to the water-resistant membrane that sits atop your roof decking beneath the shingles, tiles, and other roofing material. The seams of this membrane can degrade over time, especially around a chimney or vent pipe, allowing water to intrude through the roof deck.
2. Damaged or Missing Shingles
Whether your roof features asphalt shingles or clay tiles, broken or missing pieces can lead to water intrusion. Even if you haven’t noticed any interior signs of water damage, it’s essential to replace damaged or missing shingles to prevent leaks from forming in the future.
To ensure nothing is missed, schedule a professional roof inspection and repair service from a reputable and experienced local roofing company as soon as you notice damaged or missing shingles.
3. Damaged Flashing
Roofers install thin pieces of metal, called flashing, along the joints and seams of your roof to create a water-tight seal along these vulnerable areas. You may be able to see the flashing along the valleys of your roof or around the chimney or protruding vents and pipes.
Old flashing may allow moisture to get through if the tar coating beneath has deteriorated or the metal has cracked. Improperly installed flashing can also lead to roof leaks, so trust a qualified professional with your roof repairs to avoid preventable leaks and interior water damage.
4. Your Valleys Aren’t Sealed Properly
As mentioned above, roof valleys must have proper sealing to prevent a leaky roof. The valleys on your roof are the lowest points, where two or more slopes meet. When water runs down your roof, these valleys often provide the paths of least resistance, so a lot of moisture can leak in if they have deteriorated seals.
Improper flashing installation, material degradation, and external factors like ice dam formation can cause valleys to become compromised and allow water to leak inside.
5. Roofing Maintenance Neglect
Homeowners must regularly inspect and repair their roofs to prevent leaks and interior water damage. Even one unsealed roofing nail holding flashing in place or a small patch of cracked shingles can allow water into your home.
Other home maintenance tasks, such as cleaning your rain gutters, can also affect your roof. Clogged or damaged gutters make it difficult for water to drain from the roof, causing puddles and backflow that could result in intruding water. Whether you drag your garden hose up there or hire a gutter cleaning service, be sure not to avoid this seasonal task.
How To Repair a Roof Leak
If you find yourself dealing with a roof leak, it’s crucial that you take immediate action to minimize damage until professional help arrives. Begin by locating the source of the leak and placing a bucket or container underneath to catch the dripping water. If there’s a bulge in the ceiling, puncture it with a screwdriver to release trapped water. Use towels or a mop to soak up excess water on the floor. If possible, place a tarp or plastic sheet on the roof exterior to provide additional protection from rain. Remember that these are temporary solutions, and it’s imperative to contact roofing experts promptly for a comprehensive and lasting repair.
Schedule Your Roof Leak Repair Today!
If you need expert roof leak repair, you can trust Casa Roofing to ensure the job is done right.
We have almost two decades of experience and provide every client with top-quality repair and roof replacement services. Call us today at 210-290-8012 for a free estimate on your roof leak repair, and let us put our skills and local know-how to work for you.
