What Causes Your Roof To Leak And What You Should Do

The last thing any homeowner wants is a leaking roof. Even the slightest roof leak can cause a huge damage when left unaddressed for long.

Since roof replacement is a big investment, it’s important to stay on top of your roofing maintenance to prolong the life of your roof. Always schedule periodic roof inspections twice every year and after major storms.

Signs of Roof Leaks from Inside the House

In order to avoid untimely roof replacement, it’s important to learn how to identify signs of roof leaks and fix them before they escalate into bigger problems which could call for a full replacement. Here are some signs of roof leaks to look out for:

1: Actual Water Dripping

If you notice drips or moisture on the walls, you may have a leaking roof. Even if the dripping goes away after some time, you still need to have it checked and fixed. It could even be a sign of an ice dam on your roof.

2: Unexplained Spots

A water stain on your ceiling may look like a large puddle often ringed with brown. Some stains may be hard to pick out, especially if they appear in darker corners. Whenever you notice unexplained spots on your ceiling and walls, have your roofer take a closer look for mold, moisture, and other signs of leaks.

3: Signs of Mold On Your Ceiling or Walls

Mold often thrives in warm, humid environments. If your roof is springing in leaks, moisture will quickly build up in the attic space and create a favorable environment for mold growth. If you notice a musty or mildew smell which intensifies when the weather is damp, you could have a roof leak.

4: Areas in Your Walls or Ceiling May Seem Soft

When you have a leaking roof, you may experience soft spots and moisture in parts of your interior walls. This is mostly common in areas around the chimney, skylights, or roof vents.

Signs of Roof Leaks On the Outside

On the exterior of your home, look out for the following signs of leaks:

1: Missing or Damaged Shingles

Missing or damaged shingles are often easy to spot even from the ground level. You may also notice shingles littering your yard after a violent storm. Since shingles form the first line of defense against the elements, any damaged or missing shingles will obviously result in a leak.

2: Exposed Flashing or Underlayment

Flashing are thin metal pieces installed around the joints of your roof to create a water-resistant barrier. Over time, the flashing can be concealed or exposed, causing leaks.

3: Gutters Pulling Away from the House

You may be able to notice leaves sticking out of your gutters when you look up your roof. Blocked gutters will cause rainwater to back up and penetrate through joints on your roof instead of flowing down the downspouts. Have your gutters inspected and cleaned regularly to avoid such leaks.

4: Boots Around Vent Pipes Not Intact

Roof vents are designed to expel excess moisture from the inside of your house. When boots around roof events deteriorate, leaks can spring in this area and leave dark spots or mustiness.

5: Branches or Limbs On Your Roof

Tree branches and other debris on your roof could easily trigger leaks. When high winds blow off tree branches onto your roof, the shingles can be damaged from the impact, resulting in leaks.

6: Mold or Moss Growing On Your Roof

When a lot of moisture is absorbed, mold and moss can begin to grow on your roofing shingles. This is more common with organic-based shingles. When left unchecked, these elements can eat away your roofing material and cause leaks.

Why Roof Leaks Should Be Addressed Urgently

While it might be tempting to ignore a roof leak and hope it will ultimately go away on its own, the best course of action is to fix it as soon as possible. By letting a small leak linger for longer, it can turn into a bigger problem which may call for a more expensive roof replacement.

Here are a few things which can happen if you choose to ignore a leak in your roof:

• Repairs will get more expensive: Even the tiniest leaks can cause havoc in the long run when left unchecked. Moisture can soak into your roof deck, insulation, ceiling, and other areas of your roof, resulting in costly damage.
• Extensive mold growth: Roof leaks often increase moisture concentration, which triggers mold growth. Over time, a mold infestation can call for an expensive clean-up and even a bigger repair bill.
• Reduced lifespan: Nobody wants to invest in roof replacement every few years. One proven way of extending the life expectancy of a roof is to fix minor issues as soon as they show up. Ignoring small leaks will over time ruin the structural integrity of your roof and shorten its lifespan.

So, has your roof been leaking for a while? The best course of action is to contact a professional roofing company for a thorough inspection and repair. At O’LYN Roofing, roofing inspections and repair estimates are always free. Let us take care of any roof repair needs for your Norwood, MA, home. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced roofing consultants!