A roof leak is a result of a designing flaw during the making which results in the ponding water, or it is the structural movement and expansion joints at wall flashing's allowing for leaking way. Anyway, if the water finds its way through your roof, it is to grasp your immediate attention.
The first thing to consider in a roof leak repair like all other solutions is finding the cause of the main problem, now there can be many causes for roof damage but here is a list of roofing checklist that requires the attention and craft of a professional:
1- Time Factor
A lot of factors causing roof leaks tend to be originally a cause of aging. Everything wears out with age, and lack of maintenance, weather conditions, humidity, and different temperatures can be caused by roofing materials to become brittle and eventually develop cracks. Direct sunlight can cause certain roofing materials like tar to gradually melt off and starts deteriorating. This causes your roof to start developing minor leaks and grow with time.
2- Perfectly Sloped
The slope of your roof is of great importance. If the slope is too minor, it will start housing puddles in the center, contributing to leaks. Too steep of a slope will allow for shingle and debris to settle into the corner giving additional weight to the side. As per the international building code, a roof slope must be 2:12 for the installation of asphalt shingles.
3- Periodic Cleaning Overlooked
We often have an overhanging tree with its branches leaning over the roof, even when not that there is always winds and rain coming your way. Wind helps build-up debris of leaves, twigs, and other dust particles that settle on your roof and trap water underneath them and allowing it to seep in by capillary action. This is why it an important thing to consider to not rely on routine rains for the cleanliness of your house and instead have a periodic cleaning yourself.
4- Neglected Gutter Maintenance
As in the previously mentioned points, if the slope of the roof is too steep or not cleaned regularly, then it will not only gather debris on your roof but will also slide into the gutters and leaves and twigs end up blocking it. Blocked gutters accumulate water on your roof and since the normal way to drain is not functioning, it has no other option but to soak in through the roof to cause leaks. Also, you need to make sure your upper roof gutters drain directly to the ground and not the floor below it. It would cause excess moisture on the lower roof, which also makes up a good reason for a roof leak.
5- Holes And Ridge Caps
A ridge cap is the topmost point of a roof joining two roofs, the roof repair contractor who doesn’t cover it up and uses rope and harness system without covering it up with a ridge cap protecting it leads to the formation holes eventually with time. Other holes can be formed with the removal of an old T.V antenna without covering it up, the problem with these holes arises when they get filled up with water and there is no way for it to drain, it seeps right through the roof.
6- Roof Vents And Plumbing
Vents and piping near or through the roof area to be sealed properly by a professional roofer to avoid any leakage. A possible sign can be a crack or a missing hinge. Water tipping even drops by drop eventually gathers enough moisture to threaten the penetration of your roof to cause leaks.
