What Causes Roof Leakage?

What Causes Roof Leakage? Whether you live in a small home or a big one, you will never want a leaking roof. But when you see streaks on the walls or dark stains on the ceiling or streams or droplets of water from these points, it is sure that your roof is leaking.

One can easily recognize roof leaks when water drips from or stains the ceiling. Before you plan to stop leaks in the roof and repair the damages caused by them, you must know the causes of leakage in the top. It will help make the proper arrangements to repair the roof to prevent any problems in the future. Read on – What Causes Roof Leakage?

Some of the common causes of the roof leaks

Damaged or Missing shingles:

Your roof is protected by shingles as they help run the water from the top to the gutters. But their job gets instructed when they are damaged or missing for any reason, resulting in roof leaks. Some of the shingles can damage even during their installation and cause leaks. Sometimes the wrong installation of shingles can also cause leakage in the roof. Shingles can damage due to falling heavy branches of nearby trees due to strong winds or storms.

Holes in the roof:

Your roof may start leaking due to gaps in it. Not taking care of the top can be one of the reasons for holes in it. Holes in the roof can also occur by adding or removing some objects from the ceiling, like installing a satellite dish or removing an old antenna, etc.

Aging:

If the wear and tear of the roof have not been attended to frequently for long, it can start leaking at any time. The poor quality of materials used in installing roofs can also cause roof leaks due to aging over time. You often have to replace your house’s roof even after nearly 20 years. Neglecting the damage on the top can also shorten its life, even if you have used materials of the best quality.

The problem with gutters:

Gutters help in removing water from your roof. But if it has been blocked by sticks, leaves, and other waste materials, it will not work correctly. When water flow in gutters is obstructed, it can cause leaks in the roof.

The problem with the roof’s slope:

The chances of a roof leak can increase if your roof is flat or has a shallow slope. Water will not run off efficiently if the roof’s pitch is incorrect. The pooling of water or slow movement of water can cause leaks in the ceiling.

Damaged flashing:

Flashing is a metallic part used on seams and joints to protect from leakage in the house. But if the flashing is damaged, your roof will start leaking. Water can also enter your home if the flashing is not installed correctly. Flashing can also damage with time due to cracks, corrosion, etc.

Chimneys, Vents, and Skylights:

These features can also be one of the solid reasons for leaking roofs. Improper installation of these features can allow the water to seep into the top through the gaps left over there. Similarly, the holes in a skylight can also allow water to leak through your roof, especially when there is a difference in the size of the skylight and the hole in the ceiling. With time, the damage in the chimneys can also end in leaking roofs.

Valleys and ridge caps:

While designing the structure of the roof, valleys, and peaks are added, but they can also allow water to enter your home. V-shaped valleys are used at the meeting point of the slopes. Water can seep into your home through these valleys and ridge caps if they are not installed properly, or their material is damaged for any reason.

Debris on the roof:

If there is a lot of waste, including leaves and branches of the nearby trees due to some storm, etc., then due to other reasons, including damaged shingles or holes in the roof, your roof can start leaking.

Conclusion

Thus by knowing the cause of roof leaks, you can easily plan and arrange to repair your roof and other defects.