A leak in the roof is one of the main reasons so many homeowners will call in the professionals. It is also a costly issue that will cause a lot of damage to the home. It can be hard to find any leak until there is quite a bit of damage inside. Preventing roof leaks in the first place is worth prioritising.
To help prevent some of these issues and the damage, act preventively. Do what you can to keep the roof in good shape and to prevent leaks. As soon as you notice that there is some damage to your roof, it is time to repair it. This can keep the roof lasting for a lot longer and will save you money over time. If the roof needs replacing, then finding a trusted roofing contractor who is an expert in their field. They can to do the work for you can add more protection to your home.
Here are some of the tips you can use to help keep out the leaks include:
Regularly Inspect Your Roof
Finding the sources of any leak can be a tough task and it is harder to do than you may assume. These leaks will rarely line up with the areas that seem to get water into the home. Just because you see a spot on the ceiling does not mean that is where the leak is coming from.
You need to get your roof inspected on a regular basis. Whether you do a preliminary look on the roof a few times a year or ask a professional to come out and look, it is important to do the inspection.
This is the best way to see whether there are holes or other issues that could let water right into the home. When damage is found, you can get the repairs done quickly, keeping your home safe.
Look at the Roof Flashing
The roof flashing can be a big area roof leaks occurring (read more about why this can happen). This will refer back to all of the metal and vinyl pieces that will connect together the parts of the roof. You are likely to see these around chimneys and vents or at the different junctions of the roof.
You must make sure that these areas are strong, tightly fitted, and resistant. This will make sure that water is not able to seep in from the different parts of the roof. While doing an inspection, consider looking in the flashing for holes or gaps. Look also for whether this area is loose, bent, or has other damage too.
Check the Drip Edge of the Roof
The drip edge is an important component to help you add to the curb appeal of the home. It also has an important function to keep your home safe. The drip edge is responsible for keeping any of the water that comes down off the roof and far from your fascia.
When you do an inspection of this part, you need to look to see whether there is any damage or if the drip edges are missing a piece. When this part is missing, there will be a gap between the roof deck and the fascia board. This gives it a chance to let water come in.
If you choose to not fix this part, the water will get onto the wood and may cause some wood rot. Over time, it will find its way into the ceilings and walls inside your home. There’s the risk of water and rain getting in, but these openings are also the perfect place for many insects to make their way inside too.
Maintain and Clean the Gutters
Your downspouts and gutters are an important part of the roof system and can keep your home safe and prevent roof leaks. When they are cleaned out and doing their job, they will make sure water is not able to damage anything. Whether you do the work or have someone else help, clean gutters are important for the safety of your home.
You must clean out the gutters at least two times a year. Inspect these gutters as well to ensure that water is not able to leak through anywhere and cause damage. It is easy for these gutters to get clogged up by pine needles, twigs, branches, leaves, and dirt. Letting it stay there will make it hard for water to get through.
Read tips on how gutters are clogged, as if it happens, they will no longer be able to direct the water down or off the roof into a safe spot away from the home. Instead, the water is now able to pool or back up near the shingles. This will cause leaks and water damage throughout the home.
The best way to avoid this kind of problem is to keep the gutter system clean. This allows for proper drainage of the water. Check that the gutters are not broken and that they are not coming loose from the exterior of the home.
Take Care of Trees and Branches
Big trees that are able to hang over the roof, as well as any bushes or trees that are placed right next to the home, can pose some risks to the roof. They create damp and shaded areas, they will damage the roof when they are close enough, and they may even scratch some of the roofing material during bad storms.
You can also add to this that those trees will put more debris build-up into the gutters, which will increase the chances the gutters clog and do not complete the work of safely moving the water away from the home.
All of this combined is going to lead to leaks in the roof and a lot of water damage. To help you prevent roof leaks, you need to pay attention to all the bushes and trees that are on your property. It may be time to trim them up to ensure that no big branches are able to overhang on the roof and cause damage.
If the worst has happened and you have a leak, check out our related blog on how to prevent water damage in your home.
Thanks for reading our post on enhancing and improving your roof. Arguably, it’s the most important element of your house, given it’s role in keeping you safe, warm and dry.