What Causes Roof Leaks?

The time to start thinking about roof leaks isn’t when you can’t enjoy a rainy day anymore because of the water leaking into your home. Being aware of what can cause leaks and signs that one might develop can save you a lot of money and trouble in the long run.

Leaking roofs can cause a lot of damage to your home, not just to your roof and ceiling. Your electrical wiring, paint, attic insulation, deck, and more can all be damaged by water leaking into your home. To prevent this trouble, keep an eye out for these common causes of roof leaks:

Old Shingles

Cracked, rotted or loose shingles are a common cause of roof leaks. If your roof is 20 years old, you will likely end up needing to replace your roof soon. The layer outside that we can see, the shingles, will show damage but it can be harder to see all of the damage on the layers underneath. These can stop the roof from being insulated, starting a leak. You will likely need to schedule a roof inspection to see what needs to be done if you notice this issue.

Damaged Flashing

If you can see flashing that has been damaged, you will likely want to inspect this as a potential cause of roofing leaks. Flashing is a piece of metal that protects your valleys or places where your roof meets vertical areas, like walls, or changes elevation. Since this is not airtight, it can be a common problem and cause of a leaking roof. Since flashing should create a water-resistant seal, if it is damaged it will stop that from happening.

Clogged Gutters

Another common contributing factor is clogged gutters. These gutters can become cracked, and eventually lead to leaking back into the walls, and into the attic, causing water damage. It can also cause a build up of moisture, causing more damage eventually. Plumbing, vents, or anything that comes from the roof can eventually cause damage build up, specifically if the boot (what creates a water-resistant seal) that protects the vent, begins to let water in, pulling water directly into the house. This can also happen because these vents provide a direct line into the home, so if the boots are cracked, they can begin to cause damage. 

Missing Roofing Nails

You should also check to make sure that roofing nails are not being pulled out by raised shingles, because they will eventually lead to a large amount of small holes that water will penetrate. Especially if it is windy rain, it can dislodge the nail causing the holes left by the nails to allow water in. It might not be noticeable, but if you have a leaking roof, you might want to have it inspected, as it can be a common cause of damage. Especially since it is difficult to tell without a trained eye – this is where a professional roofer can help.

Looking for a free roof inspection to find out where a roof leak is coming from? Contact Cox Brothers Roofing, a professional South Texas roofing company, to schedule an inspection today.

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