Even the best quality roof installed by expert roofing contractors can get damaged by the weather or wear down over time. When this happens, your roof can leak and cause major damage to your home. Below, we look at the most common causes of roof leaks and what you can do to prevent them.
Cracked Flashing
Flashings are thin pieces of metal that are installed on the joints of your roof and under tiles in order to create a water-resistant barrier. Flashings can sit either on the outside or be hidden. They are essentially long strips of sheet metal. If hidden, they usually have a rubberised coating over the top of them. Over time, the substance used to seal flashing can corrode. Other times, flashing can crack or come off due to wind and rain.
Broken or Missing Roof Tiles
Heavy rain and strong winds can displace and break tiles on your roof. This is probably one of the easiest problems to spot. Simply look up and see if there are different coloured patches on the roof or tiles themselves littering the lawn after a storm.
Clogged Gutter
Water needs to flow somewhere after it hits your roof and flows into your gutters. If the gutters are clogged up with leaves and other debris, that somewhere can be into your home. Rainwater will pool in one area of the roof where it has more of a chance to seep through any cracks. Ensure you keep your gutters and downpipes clean or invest in some gutter covers to keep clear of debris and ensure that water flows freely and quickly off the roof.
Unsealed Valleys
Valleys are an area where two planes of your roof come together. This joint should be sealed together with tart and flashing. If not properly sealed, water will leak in. Wet spots that run along the seams of your roof are indicative of an unsealed valley. This can happen for a range of reasons. For example, the sealing may not have been installed properly in the first place or it might have cracked when someone stepped on it, from hail or if anything else fell on the roof.
Roof Vent Issues
Roof vents expel excess moisture from the inside of your home. They are typically sealed by installing some flashing around the opening and slipping a tight, rubber boot over the space where the pipe peeks out. Over time, the flashing or rubber can break or decay. Leaks from this area will likely leave dark spots and mustiness in the corresponding area indoors.
General Deterioration from Old Age
No matter how good your roof is, problems start to arise after 25 to 30 years. Age is the primary factor when it comes to most cases of a leaky roof. Over time, materials like roof tiles and metal can wear down and deteriorate due to continual expansion and contraction while exposed to harsh weather.
Reliable Roof Repairs in Perth
For over 30 years, Air Roofing has provided quality roof inspections, installations and repairs across Perth. To book your roof in for a repair, get in touch with us today by calling 61 8 9361 6088 or contact us online and we’ll solve your roof problems at your earliest convenience.
