The 6 Big Reasons Roofs Leak

Aug 8
08:28

2011

Scott Landa

Scott Landa

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

Want to avoid a leaking roof? Your roof protects your home from the elements, but you have to practice good maintenance if you want to avoid hearing the tell tale sound of dripping water above your head.

mediaimage

Have you experienced the dread of hearing dripping water from the ceiling.  Have you discovered a leaking roof and wondered why is this happening to me!? There are a number of different reasons that a roof may leak.  If you make sure your complete regular maintenance precautions you should be able to prevent a leak from reoccurring especially if you know the top causes of a leak.  In the meantime a St. Paul roofing company can discover the reason for and repair your current leak.

 Weather Wear:  Your roof gets no break from the elements,The 6 Big Reasons Roofs Leak Articles it is on duty protecting your house.  24-7 and for all four seasons your roof sits and takes the hammering of the sun, rain, sleet, ice and snow. Roofing paper can be dried out in sun.  The sun can also lead to the tar to running and sagging, these effects all weaken your roof. It may begin to crack and split as it becomes more brittle.

 Windblown rain: The wind can cause rain to hit in many directions, not just straight down.  This windblown rain can lead to serious issues. Angled rain gets pushed underneath your roof coverings causing water to get where you don’t want it. When you lay your roof tar paper take in to account rain that will hit at a diagonal, plan ahead.

 Ice:  In freezing Minnesota winters ice gathers on the eaves of your roof and can cause an ice dam. Unfortunately ice dams are something St. Paul roofing contractors are incredibly familiar with.  Blocking the correct flow of water off your roof ice dams cause ice to collect under your flashings and tar paper. Next ice and water overflow into your house.  Since your house is so much warmer it will slowly melt the ice.  This means water can drip into your home an extended period of time.

Blocked gutters:  Straight forward home maintenance can stop this problem in its tracks.  Before the winter season make certain to clear leaves and other debris that has gathered over time in your gutters.  All of this debris collects in your gutters it then clogs them.  This then stops the free flow of the water through your gutter and off your roof. Blocked gutters lead to a higher chance of ice dam appearing in the winter which leads to your roof leaking.

 Subpar roof construction:  Choosing the lowest bid based only to save money can lead you to big trouble. Contractors may cut costs on supplies in an effort to keep price down.  They do this by using too little or too cheap.  Rushes to finish the job fast may mean a leak develops on your roof years before you should normally have trouble.  This is why you should choose a contractor wisely.  When you make your choice compare credentials and history of a company not just price. 

Mechanical damage:  Although not actually your roof, heavy pieces of machinery, like air conditioners and antennas can lead to damage of your roof. They are very heavy and they require installation and repair.  In order to accomplish this people will be walking on your roof.  And the more people up on your roof the larger the chance of hidden damage occurring to it.

 

Keeping up with maintenance of your roof can stop leaks. This maintenance work should be done correctly and to a high standard.  Use a reputableSt. Paul roofing contractor to complete quality work for you.  Rest easy no you’ve made good decisions about your roof work and you won’t have leaks for a long time to come.