9 Most Common Causes Of Roof Leaks And How To Identify Them

Let’s be honest most homes or buildings will at some point have a leak in the roof, and running for a bucket every time it rains is not the most ideal solution. Not every leak requires a whole roof replacement to fix the issue either. Our team has collected the 9 most common causes of roof leaks to protect your home.

Whether your roof is brand new or 15 years old, you should keep this list at hand. Identifying these problems early can mean the difference between a small repair and a large remodel.

1. You Have Cracked flashing

Identifying the issue: Flashing are thin layers of metal that are installed under the shingles and joints of your roof. These can either be concealed or exposed. Broken flashing usually features large cracks

2. The Vent Booting Is Cracked

Identifying the issue: Roof vents look like small domes or pipes sticking out of your roof. They are used primarily to expel moisture from your attic. You can identify if there is a leak by checking for dark spots or musty odors in your roof or attic.

3. The Roof Valleys Arent Sealed Properly

Identifying the issue: A Valley is any point in which two different planes of your roof meet. Since these areas are usually sloped, if they are not sealed properly rainwater can get inside as it runs down the roof. Search for wet spots along the seams of your roof to identify leaks.

4. The Skylights Are Installed Incorrectly

Identifying the issue: Leaks such as this should be super easy to spot. If there is consistently a pool of water or small drips coming from the area surrounding the skylight, there may be a leak. However leaks occurring near the highest point can be a flashing issue rather than a sealing issue.

5. You Have Clogged Gutters

Identifying the issue: Usually you can identify this when water pours over the side of your gutters rather than following its intended path. Another way to identify this is to check your downspouts when it is raining. If there is little to no water being expelled the downspout may be clogged.

6. The Chimney Is Cracked

Identifying the issue: Most of the time you can look for signs of wear and tear along the mortar or flashing where the chimney meets the roof. Damaged shingles and dark spots can occur where the chimney is leaking.

7. There Are Broken Or Deteriorating Shingles

Identifying the issue: By regularly looking at your roof for large changes in color and missing shingles you can identify this easily. Often times a broken shingle will appear as a slightly off color or lighter spot on your roof.

8. There Is Buildup On The Roof

Identifying the issue: If there are leaves or other materials blocking valleys and joints in your roof water can pool causing the sealant to deteriorate and cause leaks.

9. There’s Condensation In The Attic

Identifying the issue:The space will most likely show signs of mold and mildew. A strong, musty odor coming from the attic is also an indicator that water has made its way inside.

Learn How We Can Help

Harris Exterirors has the expertise to evaluate your damaged or leaking roof. We service homes in Louisville, Lexington, Bradenburg and other areas in Kentucky and Indiana. Call us at 630-883-5367 or click the button below to contact us online.

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