5 Tips to Prevent Roof Leaks
If you are looking for tips to prevent your roof from leaking, you’re not the only one, a lot of people are stepping-up for the prevention of damage to their homes, and, more importantly, their roofs. Leaky roofs aren’t just one of the more general repairs homeowners have to endure, but an expensive one. A lot of homeowners don’t have time, desire, or experience to get on their roof and look for problematic areas that can cause the roof to leak.
Roof Leaks Are Deceptive
Seeking out a roof leak is challenging because water spots over a room in your home hardly ever lines up with the actual roof leak. Home owners and roof repair contractors turn into sleuths to track down the path the water follows and discover where the water leak is coming from. Periodic roof inspections and routine maintenance helps to dodge leaks and costly repairs.
Roof Inspections & Maintenance Areas
The primary question that should be answered prior to examining typical leaky areas is, has the roof been compromised. Has there been severe weather, any pests around the home, trees that might have fallen over, or possibly any antenna or satellite installations or repairs? Each one of these has the possibility to puncture to the roofing and be the origin of leaks. It could be from cracked tiles or holes puncture in the underlayment and potentially the roof decking itself.
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Go Over Rooftop Installations, Chimneys, Plumbing, Skylights
Be on the lookout for anything coming through your roof. Anything appearing through your roof is a possible leak cause and will naturally hinder water from flowing freely off of the roof. Here are a few commonly leaky areas:
- Antenna or satellite installations should be gone over to ensure that they are flashed adequately.
- If your house has a fireplace, it most likely has a chimney, your chimney is a quite common source of a leaky roof, also. Flashings should be gone over along with any seals.
- Plumbing vents are vital to your home but can be a potential leak source. Vent stacks should be gone over for cracks, failed and/or failing flashing, and if the seals are in satisfactory condition.
- Your skylights are another common source of leaks as the top edges competes with roof water. Flashings need to be gone over along with the skylights overall condition.
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Go Over Your Gutters
The gutters on your roof play a substantial role in directing water off your roof and preventing damage to your house’s foundation. Gutters should be clear of any debris since they possibly could be a source of leaks when snow or rainwater has no place to go. Gutters should also be gone over to guarantee they are tightly fastened and correctly sloped enabling snow or rainwater will drain correctly.
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Go Over The Drip Edge
The drip edge on your house may appear to be just a visual detail on your house, but its role in diverting water away from the fascia and running off the roof is vital. Noting if your roof doesn’t have drip edge it can lead to roof leaks. Missing a drip edge, intense rainstorms can allow rainwater to get inside the roof and might cause the wood to deteriorate. Furthermore, your drip edges also aids in keeping pests from entering your home.
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Go Over Attic Contents
While snow and/or rainwater and impaired roofs are familiar roofing issues, components in your attic can also be troublesome like plumbing, condensation issues, A/C, inadequate ventilation, pest infestations, and/or vent fans. Be on the lookout for the below:
- Inadequate ventilation allowing the attic to gather moisture and/or heat
- Signs of mold on plywood in the attic
- Intake vents clogged with insulation, paint or debris
- Any signs of mold
- Damp insulation when it hasn’t rained
- Rust or blackish rings surrounding nails
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Go Over Step Flashings
A step flashing is generally installed where roofs join to walls and dormers. These areas may be troublesome and needs to be gone over. Step flashings also should be used for replacing anywhere mastic or second rate sealant was used to seal the roof.
Professional Roofing Installation Services
You’ve got a lot of great options for roofing materials. No matter which roofing material type you choose Paul’s Roofing is here to help install it right. Our team installs whichever roofing material you want the right way, the first time. We strictly used the highest quality and longest lasting roofing materials to ensure our customer’s satisfaction. Paul’s Roofing can help with installation of shingle roofing, tile roofing, spray foam roofing and more.