The roof you install to your property may look great and provide good protection from various external elements, but after a while, it may lose its integrity, and may cause issues for different reasons. So, if you’re asking yourself – Why Is My Roof Leaking?
Here’s 18 Reasons As To Why It Could Be!
Faulty Or Damaged Flashing
A reason for leaks could be the use of poor installation practises during construction; improper flashing installation means water will eventually find its way into your home through small gaps in your roof’s protection system where there should never be any holes at all!
What is flashing? Flashing is a small piece of metal that is used to seal the gap between the roof and wall. Flashing can become damaged or missing, which thus allows water to seep into your home.
Aged Roofing Materials
One of the most common reasons for a roof leak is old, deteriorated or damaged materials. The roof of your home is one of the most important aspects of it and its longevity depends on how well you maintain it. Extreme temperatures over time, as well as severe weather such as rain, snow and hail can damage your roofing materials.
If your roof is exposed to these elements over an extended period of time, they can begin to deteriorate or break down which will then lead to issues down the line.
There are various factors to consider when looking at the cause of a rook leak, including old or damaged materials such as shingles or flashings (the metal foil that covers joints between two pieces of shingles.)
Damaged Roofing Membranes Or Underlay
Roofing membranes are the primary layer of protection for your roof. They are installed to protect the roofing materials from the elements, and they also serve as a barrier between your home and water damage.
To protect against weathering effects, such as wind-blown rain or heavy snow loads, Underlayment is sometimes used instead of a membrane.
If either of these components are damaged or torn in any way, they can leave your roof vulnerable to leaks and damage that could turn into bigger problems down the line.
Broken Or Missing Roofing Tiles/Slates
A leaky roof can be a big problem, as they can cause damage to the interior of your property and even, potentially lead to further problems if left untreated. It’s therefore very important to check for broken slates or tiles on your roof. If you noticed that any of your slates or tiles are broken it is advisable to have them replaced immediately by an expert roofer.
The easiest way to check if any tiles are missing from your roof is by looking at it from ground level. If you cannot see any gaps in between the slates then this is an indication that everything is intact and there are no missing items on the surface of your home’s exterior walls.
Poorly Placed Fixings
On some instances, it’s the fixings themselves that are to blame. Roof tiles and slates are laid on top of a framework of wooden battens, which are then fixed to the roof with screws or nails. If the fixings aren’t placed correctly – for example, if they’re not entered over the tile/slate or if there are one too many holes around the edge – they can cause water to leak into your home. To stop this from happening:
- Make sure all the screws and nails are driven into the batten at least 1″ from where it meets other pieces of wood (the closer you get to an edge, the higher risk there is for leakage.)
- Use a pair of pliers to fix any damaged parts carefully and seal any holes left bending with silicone caulk before re-fixing.
Condensation In Your Loft Space
Interstitial condensation and surface condensation were the two types of condensation which could be found in your loft space.
Condensation is usually caused by high humidity, which can be caused by a number of different factors. The first factor could be the installation of an under-ventilated roof system. This means that there could be gaps or voids in your attic insulation that allow for moisture to build up and cause problems. We suggest that if you think this could the cause with your attic, that you contact a roof expert as soon as possible!
Lack of airflow is another reason for condensation. Or, air exchange in your home’s ventilation system. To remedy this problem, you’ll need to install adequate roof ventilation; otherwise, your house will retain moisture and could become mouldy.
Poorly Installed Skylights Or Roof Windows
The poor installation of Roof Skylights or Windows is a common reason as to why a roof leaks.
Clogged Gutters
If you have gutters attached to your home, you should make sure to clean them regularly. The best time to clean them is before leaves start falling in the fall and after heavy rains or storms.
When leaves land in your gutter, they can become stuck in there, causing water to pool and leak into the house instead of draining away from it through the downspout.
Cracked Chimney
If your home is old, there is a high chance that your chimney may have never been cleaned. Due to this, your chimney may be filled with years of creosote and other debris that could have built up over the years. This could result in condensation forming within the flue structure itself, leading to leaks in roofing materials and ceilings below.
To avoid this, make sure that your chimney is being swept regularly so that all of this debris can be removed from inside and make sure to have your chimney inspected annually by a professional so that they can make sure there aren’t any cracks or structural issues emerging.
Ice Damming
You may be wondering what Ice Damming is, well, it’s when snow on your roof melts due to the warmth of the house below and then refreezes as it reaches the edges. As more snow melts and refreezes, an ice dam can form. This can enable water to seep into your attic and leak through ceiling tiles or walls. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to prevent ice dams:
- Drag snow off of your roof using a roof rake before it turns into an icicle-filled mess that could damage your home’s exterior or interior structure by breaking off during windy conditions.
- Inspect your gutters regularly and clear them if they’re clogged with debris like leaves or pine needles.
Damaged Roof Vents
Roof Vents are vital to your home’s structural longevity. Venting allows air to flow in and out of your home so that no moisture gets trapped and causes damage. If you spot any cracks in your roof vents, it’s vital that you begin the repair process!
Damaged Soffit or Fascia Boards
One of the most common ways for damage to occur is through Soffit or Fascia Boards. These boards run along the edge of your roof and are typically made from wood, aluminium or vinyl. They’re used to protect walls from rainwater leaks as well as insulation from melting during extreme heat or cold conditions such as those experienced in the winter months.
These boards, however, are often damaged by high winds during storms or ice buildups during freezing temperatures in the winter months.
Working On Your Roof
Never work on a roof when it’s wet or raining, this in order to avoid roof leaks. It is also advised to make sure that the ladder you are using is stable and tall enough for the job. There are other safety measures that you should take as well:
- Don’t stand on top of your ladder.
- Don’t use an aluminium ladder on a metal roof because they don’t conduct electricity like wood ladders do.
Wildlife
Most Birds, Squirrels and Racoons can be harmless to your roof. However, if they find a way to settle on the roof for a long time, they can unintentionally cause damage. If you’re vigilant enough to keep them off, then this shouldn’t be an issue.
You could use netting or a netting-type material around the perimeter of your home so that when they get up high enough on the side of a house they’ll fall back down before making it over to the roof line. You might have success with this method alone in preventing wildlife from getting up there in the first place!
Overhanging Trees
Overhanging Trees can unfortunately cause significant damage to your roof. This can include structural damage to your roof, damage to the insulation, and even damage to your roofing materials.
It could also result in you having to replace any other parts of your home that were damaged because of this leak, such as gutters or fascia boards.
Lean-To Roof
If your roof is sloping on one side only and not the other, then its a lean-to roof. These types of roofs are often used to extend the living space of a property or house by creating an extension. They’re also useful for creating an independent living space n the ground floor of your property such as an additional bathroom or bedroom.
It’s vital, however, to keep a close eye as this is where your main roof often sheds rainwater. If this continues, it can increase the moisture levels and overtime, can compromise the integrity, eventually leading to a leak via the roofing material or its underlay.
Punctures or Pooling Water
A puncture in your roof could be allowing water to seep through, if this is the case, you will see water pooling on your ceiling or inside of your attic.
You could even have a puncture in one of your skylights, which will cause water to leak through the roof when it rains.
Finally, a leaking chimney flashing could be causing leaks in your home’s ceiling.
Need To Fix Your Leaking Roof?
If you need advice, or would like help with fixing your leaking roof, please get in touch with us today for a free no obligation quote. We have over 25 years of experience and are experts in the field of roofing.