Water leaking into a home from the roof is no joke. It quickly leads to mold, mildew and rot, and it can even compromise electrical systems. The causes of leaks are fairly straightforward, however.
Weather and Age
Rainstorms and other weather events can dislodge shingles. While it’s easy to replace missing shingles, it has to be done before the next rain, or water will start eating into the sheathing of the roof. Also, rain wears away the granules on shingles, causing them to be less effective.
Father Time is tough on shingles as well. Over the years, asphalt shingles simply wear out and are prone to being dislodged. Flashing and seals also wear down as the years go by, and at some point, the whole roof needs to be replaced.
Gutters and Downspouts
Perhaps the most common, as well as the most preventable, cause of roofing leaks is clogs. These occur in gutters and downspouts. Usually, leaves falling from nearby trees are what creates the clog, so it’s important to clean gutters every fall and spring.
It’s easy to see the debris obstructing water in gutters once you’re on a roof or a ladder. It’s satisfying to pull it out and watch the water flow again freely. Getting rid of debris in downspouts can be more difficult. Often leaves, acorns and other debris get caught in curved sections of the downspouts, and you may have to remove entire sections of gutter to get them out.
Clogged gutters in the fall lead to ice dams in the winter. When gutters have too much debris, water from snowmelt or rain backs up under the shingles and is absorbed into the sheathing.
Ventilation
Poor ventilation in attics can cause moisture buildup. Sometimes, the problem comes from the design. When this is the case, extra vents and turbine fans need to be installed in the roof to allow for the free flow of air.
Other times, there is no problem with the design, but soffit vents are clogged. When this happens, air cannot flow freely from the eaves upward into the attic and out of the ridge vents. An attic that’s far too hot in summer or far too cold in winter, relative to the rest of the house, suggests a ventilation problem.
Flashing
When it comes to roof problems, an ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure. Keep up with simple maintenance, such as cleaning gutters in the fall and spring and scheduling annual attic and shingle inspections. Doing these things can go a long way toward preventing leaks and extending the lifespan of your roof. When you need roof repair services in Mill Creek, WA, contact North Creek Roofing.
