Leaking roofs are often associated with a missing or broken shingle. However, roofs are actually very complex with several interior components where an issue can develop. Quick detection and repair of leaks – no matter the size – are critical to protecting your home’s roof and interior. Discover the parts of your roof that are most often to blame for leaks in our latest guide.
Cracked Flashings
Flashings are metal pieces that help redirect water away from a roof’s joints and crevices. (For example, flashings often protect the space surrounding your chimney or a bathroom vent.) While flashings are durable, they can leak if cracked by storm damage or a similar cause.
Sourcing a leak isn’t always easy. But in the case of flashing cracks, you may have water pooling in your bathroom vent, stove fan, chimney, or other places a flashing was used.
Broken Shingles
If you have a roof leak, a broken composite shingle may be the culprit. This can be difficult to spot, depending on your roof. It can appear as an oddly placed dark spot on the roof where the underlying material is showing. Since shingled roofs are designed with overlapping shingles, an issue may not cause trouble at first, but certainly will if left unrepaired.
Improperly Sealed Valleys
Roofs are typically have two or more peaks with the valleys that must accompany them. These areas can take a beating since they are the lowest points of the roof where water runs. Because of this, they need a special barrier called a valley flashing. If it’s not properly sealed or becomes cracked, a leaking roof can quickly develop.
Cracked Vent Booting
The vents that stick up from your roof permit air and moisture to escape your home. They have a tight rubber ring around them (called a boot) and a flashing at their base to prevent leaks. The booting can corrode and crack over time, causing a leaking roof.
Ice Dam Build Up
Roofs in colder climates can experience ice dams, ridges of ice which can form on the roof. This occurs when your attic’s warmer air partially melts the snow ice. The runoff refreezes at the roof’s edges, preventing water from leaving the roof. Water pools at these damns will eventually corrode the roof.
In cold climates, removing this ice is a regular home maintenance chore. Luckily, South Carolinians rarely have have to deal with this.
Skylight Woes
Skylights allow the natural light into the house and brighten dark spaces. However, they can leak if they’re improperly sized, not properly sealed, or damaged. Leaks can occur from the skylight itself or the flashing around it.
Clogged Gutters
Clogged gutters can prevent water from properly running off your roof. When water pools on the roof, it causes corrosion.
If not properly maintained, gutters can also become heavy and disconnect from the house. While the water would be able to run off the roof, it would do so in non-ideal places. This can cause basement or crawl space leaking. The lifespan of vinyl siding or other household materials can also be diminished by improper runoff.
Cracked Chimney
Chimneys are typically constructed with bricks, sealed together with mortar. While these materials are highly durable, they can separate and crack from long-term exposure to the elements, land settling, or foundation issues. In this situation, replacing the mortar can stop the leak.
Condensation in The Attic
If you’ve recently repaired a leaking roof, it’s possible to smell a musty odor coming from the attic. Over time, new signs of a leak might also appear on your ceiling. However, this may not be a new leak at all.
Existing moisture can easily become trapped in your attic. When the temperatures change and your home’s interior is cooler than outside, this water can condense like on the outside of a drinking glass. This water may be enough to cause mold/mildew in your attic or a drip into your living space.
If this occurs, blocked vents are a common culprit. They may have collapsed, become damaged, or clogged with leaf debris. Clearing them should resolve the moisture retention. If the mold and mildew are severe, those may need separate treatment.
Leaking Roof? Don’t Delay.
A roof is your home’s and family’s protection from the elements. While there are many potential causes for leaking roofs, all leaks should be handled as soon as possible to avoid more serious damage to your home.
If you’ve got a roof leak, we’ve got the solution. Contact us today for a free roof inspection.