Winter is on its way, and bringing more of its strong winds and rain. To keep your home safe and dry until the sun finds its way back to us, here are some common causes to be aware of if your roof starts leaking.
Missing/Broken Shingles
Powerful winds and relentless rain are prone to overcoming the strength of a roof, frequently breaking or peeling shingles from the structure itself, exposing the inside of your home to the elements.
If you are DIY savvy, there are steps to prevent this, but to know that your roof is reinforced against harsh weather, seek out the services of a professional.
Holes
No matter how secure your roof is, if it has holes, water is going to trickle down through them. Holes often exist from when a TV antenna or rooftop installation is removed, or a damaged ridge cap from contractors using rope and harness systems attached to the roofing material.
Although difficult, attempt to find all holes and apply a trusted sealant to prevent further water dripping into your home.
Gutter Clogging and Back up
Gutters create an avenue for water to travel so it doesn’t accumulate around your roof. Rains are frequently accompanied by strong winds, which brings a multitude of leaves and dirt that can fall into your gutter, and, when mixed together with sloshing water, can form a clog preventing further excess water to be drained away from your property. Rainwater will then generally pool somewhere in your roof, leading to leakage.
You can prevent this by ensuring your gutters are always cleared in months of rain.
Cracked Flashing
Upon installation of roof shingles, thin sheets of metal called flashing are inserted underneath to act as an obstruction to any water that may slip through. Tar is used to seal the flashing together, which is susceptible to erosion, and if your flashing is also exposed to the elements, there is a high likelihood your leak is due to a crack.
To fix it, the shingles will need to be removed and replacement flashing laid down with a fresh coat of roofing sealant. Again, this is quite the task, so consider investing in the talents of a trained professional for your own safety and quality final product.
Attic Condensation
As the attic is settled beneath the roof, it is surrounded by different temperatures of the inside of the house to the outside. When temperatures differ significantly, moisture builds up in the form of condensation.
To avoid potentially mouldy water entering your home, take action to isolate your attic from the rest of the house, perhaps with the installation of a comprehensive ventilation system.