Although modern roofing materials and technology has become accessible to regular homeowners, it doesn’t change the fact that there is still the likelihood of leaking. There’s really no perfect roof installation that’s able to withstand factors that are outside human influence. What can be done however is to reduce the risk of leaks from happening and doing the necessary preventive and corrective measures. Here are some of the most common causes of roof leaks in residential structures, and some tips on how they can be prevented.
- Clogged Gutters
This is somewhat more common in suburban communities where trees are regular fixtures in the yard. Oftentimes, residents don’t bother trimming the branches of these trees either because of its sentimental value or just because they don’t really recognize the consequences of having branches towering over their roof. To avoid leaves from accumulating, regular trimming should be done to ensure that falling leaves or ones that get blown away don’t end up on the roof. Regular roof cleaning and removal of leaves is an option but is more inconvenient than simply cutting some branches.
- Compromised Valley Sealants.
Valleys take a lot of abuse in harsh weather conditions. Heavy rains pummel the depressed part of the roof with large volumes of water. A well-sealed valley can prevent leaks and cracks, but not absolutely. On the other hand, a badly done sealing of valleys is going to invite leaks into the household faster. Making sure that the roofing company is reliable should be top priority. This is also true for roof repair companies. Asking for a roof replacement estimate and comparing prices is just a fraction of what should be considered as good service. It’s not always about the price.
- Ice Dams
One night of heavy snow fall is all it takes to make weak roof creak from the pressure. Fortunately, modern trusses and beams are able to support the weight to avoid the risk of caving in. What these beams can’t help with unfortunately, is when persistent ice refuse to melt on the edges of the roof. When this happens, water can stay puddled on top of the roof. For well-sealed roofs, the risk of leaking for this is low. But one that’s badly sealed may give in under pressure and provide passage to the accumulated water, which unfortunately leads inside the house. Again, making sure that a reputable company does the roofing and repair is high priority.