If you notice a wet spot on a ceiling or sign or dampness in the attic, you need to call Greenville roofing contractors to identify and fix the roof leak. It is extremely important to act as soon as you notice the problem. A small leak is easy and affordable to fix. If left unattended, it will evolve into something bigger and very expensive to repair.
Let’s discuss here the most common causes of roof leaks and how our roofers can fix them:
1. Missing Shingles
Old roofs have endured a lot of wear and tear. They faced decades of wind, rain, sun and snow. Thus, it is not uncommon to have a few shingles missing from the roof. This is, by far, the most common cause of leaks.
And it is very easy to fix by a roofing specialist, by replacing the missing shingles with new ones. The only issue that may delay the repair is finding shingles that match the look of the others.
2. Clogged Gutters
Gutter maintenance is essential for preventing roof leaks. If you’ve somehow overlooked this task, debris such as dead leaves and dirt will accumulate in the gutters. Thus, stormwater and melted snow can no longer be diverted safely on the ground.
Instead, it will pool on the roof and, in time, it will find its way through tiny cracks to the underlayment and insulation and – finally, inside your home. In this situation, it is not enough to simply clean the gutter. Roofing contractors need to fix the crack that caused the water to leak into the house.
3. Damaged Pipe Boot
If you have various types of pipes going through the roof (for the HVAC unit, for instance), they are surrounded by a type of flashing. This is the pipe boot and it is usually made of neoprene (synthetic rubber).
In time, temperature variations and UV rays from the sun cause neoprene to become brittle and crack. This allows water to enter your home.
Fortunately, this problem is easily fixed by applying a rubber collar over the damaged pipe boot. At any rate, it needs replacing after 8-10 years (the average lifespan of neoprene).
4. Damaged Flashing
Flashing represents the insulation between the edge of the roof and the end of the wall of the building. It is usually made of various types of metals, such as galvanized steel, aluminum or copper.
Over time, the flashing can get damaged by:
- Rust
- Ice dams
- Holes or cracks
- Storms tearing off a segment of the flashing
If the damage is localized, then a roofing specialist only needs to replace the respective section. However, if the flashing is old and presents advanced signs of wear and tear, you may have to replace it entirely. Call our Greenville roofing contractors for a professional assessment of your flashing.
5. Chimney Damage
The chimney is a complex structure, made of several elements. Each of them can get damaged in time and allow water into your home. Since you cannot properly see all the parts of your chimney, the visual inspection of the roof is not enough to identify damage.
Licensed roofing contractors can spot these problems and recommend the best method to fix them. In some cases, you may have to rebuild the chimney.
6. Underlayment Failure
If the underlayment which supports the roof is not properly built, its failure may contribute to loss of shingles and a roof leak. In this situation, simply replacing the missing shingles is not enough.
Roofing specialists must also reinforce the underlayment, making sure that the issue will not occur again.
7. Poorly Installed Skylights
Skylights are increasingly popular, as more homeowners convert their attics into livable space. However, it is important to hire an experienced specialist to install them.
Otherwise, you will notice damp spots around the skylight, indicating poor insulation. Depending on the severity of the issue, the solution to this problem ranges from fixing the insulation to reinstalling the skylight.
Call Greenville Roofing Contractors If You Notice Signs of Roof Leak!
Roof leaks start as a minor nuisance and may develop into a complex and expensive repair project. Our Greenville roofing contractors urge you to act as soon as you notice the smallest signs of dampness. It may make the difference between replacing a few shingles or a big section of your roof.
Call us today to get a free quote on your roof repair at 864-416-4166!