5 Main Causes Of Roof Leaks And How To Repair Them

Is your home suffering from roof leaks? If so, it’s important to learn about the main causes in order to properly repair. Read below for all the details.

There’s nothing worse than a leak in your home’s roof. There are all kinds of things that can cause them, and when that water comes in it’ll cause all sorts of damage. You’ll know that any leak is a sign of water damage to your roof, so the sooner you deal with it, the better.

If you want to deal with a leak, you’ll need to work out what’s causing it. Here are some of the most common causes of roof leaks, and how you can repair them.

1. Ice Dams on the Roof

In the winter, ice dams are a real problem that you need to contend with. They’re a common cause of leaks in the colder months, so you need to be aware of them.

These happen when warm air is trapped in your attic, and so melts snow on top of the roof. That runoff makes its way to the gutter, where the air is a lot colder. It refreezes there, and so any more melted snow builds up against this ice dam. As the water sits on the roof, it will eventually make its way into the roof itself, causing leaks.

There are two ways you can fix ice dams. Firstly, you can invest in roof rakes. These allow you to reach up and safely remove snow from your roof, getting it off before it can start causing ice dams. Secondly, you can look into ventilating your roof. If warm air is being trapped, that’s a sign that you don’t have adequate ventilation. When there’s proper airflow, the snow shouldn’t melt on your roof as quickly.

2. Shingles are Missing

Another very common reason for leaks in your roof is missing shingles. These are your first line of defense against the rain, and they will usually keep the water out. Over time though, those shingles can break and come off.

This is usually due to exposure to the weather. Under the harsh sun, they’ll dry out, crack and curl up, allowing water in between the cracks. If there are high winds, the shingles can be pulled off if the wind can get underneath them.

The best way to repair them is to replace the shingles as soon as possible. It’s important to inspect your roof often, so you can spot these problems before a leak happens. Keeping a spare box of shingles when you replace your roof is always a good idea, so you’ll have matching shingles on hand when you need them.

3. Guttering is Clogged Up 

One rather simple reason why your roof is leaking is all the debris in the guttering. This is similar to ice dams, in that the gutters get blocked, allowing water to back up onto the roof itself. Debris usually collects during high winds, as these blow leaves and other vegetation into the guttering.

This is fairly easy to repair and prevent. If you’ve found debris in the gutters, scoop as much of it out as you can, into a garbage bag. Regular inspections will again help stop this from happening, so keep an eye on the gutters and keep them clean. If you want a helping hand with it, a gutter guard will allow water in but nothing bigger, making it much easier.

4. Condensation in the Attic

One leak risk you may not have thought of is the condensation in your attic. Again, this can come about if there’s not enough ventilation. As there’s warm air trapped in the attic, coming against the cold air outside the roof, that’s going to cause condensation.

If you can see mold or mildew growth, or smell a musty odor coming from the attic, that’s a sign that condensation is causing leaks. Again, look into installing proper roof ventilation to solve this problem.

5. Skylights are Improperly Installed 

With the rise in attics being converted into extra rooms, more and more skylights are being installed. The problem is, when they aren’t installed properly, they will cause leaks in the roof. These are very easy to find, as they will be letting in the water around the window.

Clear the skylight off, and look for any gaps around the frame. If you find any, seal them up with clear silicone to stop the water. If this doesn’t fix the problem, then you may need to replace the flashing around it to stop the leak.

How to Find Leaks in Your Home

When you think of leaks in your roof, you’ll think of something dramatic enough for you to notice water dripping through. However, you won’t always see this. Sometimes leaks go unseen until it’s too late, so you’ll need to be on the lookout for leaks.

To find them, you’ll need to inspect both the outside and inside of the roof. Sometimes those leaks will be easy to find. If a shingle is missing for example, then you know where the water is coming in from. There may be other signs on the top of your roof too, such as an item that’s penetrating the roof. A broken tree branch, for example, can do more damage than you’d think.

Inside the roof, look for tell-tale signs like black mold, water stains, and black marks. These will all show you where the water is coming in.

If you’re having trouble finding that leak, there are things you can do. Get a helper to get up on the roof with a hose. Have them start spraying water on it, doing it in sections. You’ll be in the attic, looking to see if anything comes through. Ensure you stay on one section for a few minutes at a time. That will give the water time to come through if the leak is there.

Fix Your Roof Leaks

These are the most common causes of roof leaks. Use this guide to find them, repair them, and prevent them from happening again. With the right protection, you won’t have to worry about leaks.