Every home owner has had to deal with it at some point in time: the dark stains on the walls and ceilings, the droplets from the roof and pools of seeping water from the floor. Leaks can happen in every home and building, regardless of it being new or old. Every home is different so it can’t be said for everyone, but there are a few relatively common reasons as to why a roof might be leaking. Here’s 5 of them.
- Damaged Shingles
Weak or compromised shingles can be the result of either poor installation, exposure to weather conditions, or general wear and tear. Whatever the cause, once the shingle has been blown off, broken, or weakened it may very well result in a leak. This can often be spotted from the ground, but if you need a better look, Vertec Roofing in Sydney recommend getting an expert to take a look for you on the roof.
- Weakened Valleys
When two sloping roofs meet in the middle, it’s known in the industry as a valley. If the roof of a valley is punctured or compromised, it will eventually pool with water following a rainfall and lead to a leak. A valley may be damaged by someone stepping on it, clogging of debris and water or just general maintenance neglect.
- Bad Installation
Sometimes a leak is just purely down to a job not being properly done. Poor workmanship or improper materials and installation of these materials can easily be avoided by hiring a professional whom you can trust. DIY roofing repairs is not something that is recommended by roofing experts, as it is a form of construction that you should be certified in. The key is finding a reliable, experienced contractor to take care of your roofing needs.
- Punctured Roofing
Objects falling or hitting your roof are likely to cause major damage to the structure, and likely will result in a leak. Falling trees or branches are the main culprit of severe roof damage, especially after a big storm. It’s necessary to organise an inspection of your roof if you’ve had a tree fall on your house, even if you haven’t noticed any signs of a leak yet.
- Poor Room Ventilation
In the bathroom and kitchen, you may notice a fair bit of moisture being produced due to steam and hot air. If the room is well not well ventilated with windows or fans, the moisture will build up. Built up moisture causes serious damage to the infrastructure of a room, and will likely lead to mould, mildew and leaks. The key to prevent this is good ventilation.
Conclusion
Any signs of leakage in your roof should be solved and repaired immediately to avoid further problems and greater expense. The first step to improving your home is checking these spots when faced with a potential leak, to lay the ground work for a professional to make the necessary repairs.
