Top 5 reasons why your roof might be leaking…

Over the years of doing Roof Inspections we have come across many reasons why a roof might leak but there are 5 that we continuously see time after time.

Wood rot caused from an exposed rusted nail head on roof

1. Nail heads that are exposed

Although the damage is minimal if caught early, unsealed nail heads rust and shrink allowing water to go through the nail hole and can cause major wood rot of the roof decking and drywall damage on the interior ceilings as well as cause attic insulation to compress and become not very efficient.

2. Clogged gutters

These are the next biggest areas of roofing leaks and wood rot on the soffit and fascia boards as well as the roof decking and interior sheet rock damage. When the rain water does not exit the gutters through the down spouts, the water over flows the gutters and washes into the gutter fastener holes and the roof edge between the shingles and the drip edge of the flashing and begins to rot the wood. Once it gains entry to contact unpainted and unsealed wood, it begins to grow a fungus that causes the wood to start to decay and rot.

3. Solar panels, satellite dishes

Any sort of roof penetrations are areas of concern and opens up the door for possible roof leaks. Many penetrations into the roof decking are sealed by a roofing tar or other sealant however, these sealants are only guaranteed between 2-5 years. The sun will dry these materials over time and they will harden and shrink. When this happens, the area that the sealant was protecting then becomes vulnerable to leaking.

4. Bad roofing designs

You might think that a roofing design created by an architect would be well thought out and constructed to be efficient in keeping the house safe from water intrusion. In our years of experience we find this to be true most of the time. Many times however it is the very design of the roof that causes the roof to leak. When water is directed to an area where it is not being forced off the roof by gravity, the water will pond (build up) or seep into any opening that will give it access to enter into the roofing material and start to cause rotting of the wood.

5. Chimneys and skylights

Because the water collects at the edge of the roof intrusion, it is not directed around the chimney or skylight in order to exit the roof. As the water collects at the edge, it begins to seep between the flashing and the shingles until it makes its way to the roof decking and begins to rot the wood.