How to Prevent Roof Leaks in Your Home

A roof leak is a homeowner’s worst nightmare. It means you've got a faulty roof, which can cause damage to the delicate interiors of your home - both of which can incur large costs. To better understand roof leaks, we'll explain how they are caused, what happens when they occur, and how you can prevent them.

What Causes a Roof Leak

Age: Time takes it’s toll on your home. As weather beats down on your roof year over year, it becomes less effective at keeping out water. Similarly, as the temperature outside fluctuations, it causes cracks in your roof and it becomes more brittle over time.

Roof Vents: The shingles on your home need to be secure, but the vents on the top of your roof need to be secure as well. If they are not secure, then it's easy for rain to leak into your home.

Debris: A buildup of debris like twigs, leaves, and pine needles can trap water against the roof and cause it to seep underneath the shingles. Therefore, it's important to keep your roof clear so that water can easily runoff.

Flashing: Roof flashing are sloped metal pieces that are used to help guide water away from specific areas, such as chimneys and skylights. If the flashing are not sealed properly, then this can cause a leak into your home.

Gutters: Gutter cleaning is something that no one wants to do, but it is essential in keeping your roof from leaking. Keeping your gutters clear will help prevent clogs, water backing up into the shingles, or a total gutter collapse from the weight of the debris.

Each of these items can cause roof leaks in any home, so it's important to inspect and maintain your roof and gutters. Otherwise, you could run into serious problems with your home that will be costly to repair.

Consequences of a Roof Leak

Attic and Ceiling Damage: When your roof has a leak, the damage often hits the attic (and the items within) first, as well as the interior ceiling. The paint under the roof leak will darken and the plaster will bubble and crack, eventually becoming fragile and falling off.

Mold and Mildew: The most pressing concern of a roof leak is a buildup of mold and mildew, because it can spread throughout your home’s structure, HVAC system, and in ventilation. If left untreated, the mold will be a major hazard to residents as it can seriously affect their health, especially those who have any breathing concerns such as asthma, rhinitis, and nasal congestion.

Fire Hazard: It may seem ironic, but a leaky roof can lead to an increased risk of fire hazard. If you have electrical wiring in your attic or ceiling, then a roof leak could pose a fire threat due to shortened wires.

Higher Utility Bills: When your roof is leaking, the water will often soak into the insulation, which will cause long-term damage. This will take a long time to dry out, even after the leak is fixed. If left unattended for long periods of time, there is a good chance that the water will damage the insulation significantly, resulting in a loss of hot and cool air.

Degradation of Structural Integrity: Probably the most worrying consequence of a roof leak is is the damage it can do to your roof's frame. Water can impact the ceiling joists, rafters, and exterior trim, causing them to rot and weaken. This damage can also spread into the surrounding walls, leading to expensive wood framing repairs.

How to Prevent Roof Leaks

As you can see, roof leaks are no joke. They lead to costly damages, and can ruin a home if not properly handled. Therefore, it’s important to make sure your roof is regularly inspected and maintained by a professional roofing company.

At Derek Cook's Roofing Specialists, we've been assisting homeowners in the New Hampshire area for over 25 years. Our team of trusted professionals are happy to take a look at your roof to assess any damage and make any repairs. To learn more about our roofing services, simply contact us today!