11 Most Common Roof Problems

The roof is an important part of any house. It requires regular maintenance because it’s subject to extreme temperatures, precipitation, and strong winds. Not many people inspect their house coverings properly. Due to this, lots of roof problems are often ignored.

Leaks can occur despite the material a roof is made of. This is one of the most common needs for repair. Leaks can cause stains on the walls and ceiling to appear, but sometimes, they may be not visible from inside the house. Therefore, it’s necessary to periodically inspect the roof from the inside and outside for safety reasons.

Common Causes of Roof Leaks

Leakage and destruction must be fixed immediately, especially if the roof is flat. Local leaks are repaired by patchwork or sealants. Leakage can also occur if the lifespan of the roof is expired. Then it’s necessary to replace it entirely. Here are some of the common causes of roof leaks:

Cracks in Flashing

Flashing are the thin strips of metal installed under the roofing and at its joints to create a waterproof barrier. It can be hidden and open. Open flashing looks like long strips of sheet metal, while a hidden one is equipped with a rubberized coating. There are noticeable cracks in a damaged setting.

Roofers often use resin to hold flashing parts together, and the resin corrodes metal over time. Moreover, if the flashing is not covered by anything, wind and rain can cause damage. Once you find the leak’s cause, remove the nails attaching the old flashing to the roof and remove the interfering parts from the damaged area. Carefully lay the new element, securing it with nails in the same places where the damaged piece has been fixed. Then, apply a layer of roofing sealant over the nails.

Missing Gutter Apron

Checking whether the gutter is properly installed is quite simple. The slope of the gutter can be measured by the usual spirit or hydraulic level measuring tool. The tightness of the joints is checked as follows: the drain holes are plugged and the water is poured into the gutter to see whether leaks appear in the joints. You can also open the drain and see how quickly the water drains.

It’s suggested to entrust the drain installation to a specialist. However, if you have decided to install it by yourself, you must follow the drainage system installation instructions, so you can avoid making mistakes and ensure the correct drain operation during the entire lifespan.

Pooled Water

When water starts accumulating or forming small ponds on the roof, this can cause problems in the long term. Particular attention should be paid to houses that have problems with their flat roof: the solution is to form conic sections on the covering surface. These small slopes let water drain protecting it from damage.

Animals, Birds, and Insects

Residential homeowners often encounter the problem of birds and large insects getting into the attic, as well as snow dripping through the roof in the winter.

Small animals, birds, and insects can do real damage. To eliminate pigeon problems on roof, increase its tightness and prevent dust, small debris, moisture, snow, large insects, and even more birds from getting under the roof, it’s necessary to properly adjoin it to any surfaces.

Snow and Ice Damage

Ice is formed on the edge of the roof, and it sometimes doesn’t let snow melt through the drainage. The ice’s weight can cause serious damage to the house covering, not to mention the water accumulating on its surface. The heat from the house melts the lower snow layer even despite the low temperature outside. Melting water flows down the roof under a snow cover and, once it’s on the edge of the roof, it freezes again, turning into ice.

To fix silicone roof coating problems, buy a special shovel to clean snow and ice accumulations from the roof. This is a shovel with a long handle and a wide scraper located at an angle that can reach the edge of the roof and remove at least the lower layer of snow hanging over the edge. If you notice that an ice outgrowth has formed on the edge of the roof, try to treat it with an ice-melting agent per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Improperly Installed Flashing

If the leak is caused by this problem, it’s easy to notice it during the inspection. If you often notice wet spots under the roof windows, a problem is found. Nevertheless, if you notice wet spots and leaks in the upper part of the window, the problem may not be in the window itself but in the flashing. There are two main reasons for such leaks: measurements and roof windows installation flaws.

Clean the window properly to look for any possible cracks in the frame. If necessary, treat all cracks found with transparent silicone sealant. If there are no cracks, inspect the window frame and replace it.

Clogged Gutters

Looking at the roof, you can see leaves sticking out of the gutter, or you notice that almost no water flows out of the gutter when it rains. The drain helps to remove water from the roof. When the gutter clogs, water lingers on the roof. In this case, the water ponds on the covering, and the longer it lasts, the more chances the water will penetrate inside.

There is no simple solution to metal roofing problems; you will have to clean the gutter manually. Some suggest covering the ground under the roof in the place where you work with tarpaulin. You can through all the garbage there, and then easily get rid of it.

Tree Damage

If a tree branch crashes into your roof, there will probably be damage. But even if branches rub against your roof daily, they can scratch the surface and damage the top layer. It’s suggested to trim trees and consider removing any of those posing a serious threat to your covering.

Condensation and Blistering

Most likely, the attic is the source of the leak. The strong musty smell emanating from the attic is another sign that moisture has leaked there. The attic, like the upper part of the house, is exposed both to the room and environment temperature. In such a way, condensation forms on the walls of the attic, hence, the excess moisture.

First of all, remove the mold. Then, take time to install reliable flashing in the attic, which will protect it from sudden temperature changes. Make sure that ventilation openings are not clogged in the attic. If necessary, install a large ventilation fan.

Poor or Faulty Installation

The roof can leak if its edges are removed by the wind. The reason is the wrong technology of gluing roll materials. Metal roof and shingles problems can arise when the gutters are not properly arranged. Climate also has an impact. When the snow starts melting, the ice can clog drainage systems. Spring snow melts may worsen the situation when water accumulates on the roof and spreads into the most unprotected places.

Improper or Inadequate Maintenance

Unfortunately, there is no way to determine what exactly is the cause of missing parts, complications, and leaks. However, all house owners should keep in mind it’s suggested not to walk on the roof too often. Many roofing materials can be quite brittle. You can accidentally step on any important detail or break a part that is already cracked.

Proper regular maintenance will make it possible for you to keep your house warm, and get rid of excess moisture. Read this list of roof leak causes, and you can save money by discovering the cause of concrete roof tile problems at an early stage.

If you need roof installation or replacement, contact our Legacy Service team at +1 267-961-7088.