You can say a lot of things about roofs, and most of them might be true. But one thing that nobody can argue with is that roofs are tops. This statement can be taken in several ways. A roof does for the top of your home. It can also act like a "top" or lid for your home, keeping the rain out. Then, there's the third meaning, which is the one we happen to like the most: roofs are the best. (People say things are "tops" when they really like them.) Since we like roofs so much, we've decided to write about them, and you've discovered the blog where we do that.
Brian Riley
Roofing leaks are one of the most frustrating issues that you can encounter because they can be difficult to trace back to their source. Water will naturally flow along the path of least resistance, traveling to the lowest possible point. As a result, the location where you see water coming into your home may not be the area where your roof is actually damaged. Understanding the most common causes of roofing leaks is an important first step toward narrowing down the source of your leak. Here's a look at some of the most common reasons why your roof might be leaking.
Seam Or Flashing Failure
Flashing is typically secured around the base of anything that protrudes through your roof, including exhaust or vent pipes, chimneys, and any other protrusions. This flashing should be properly secured and sealed when the roof is installed, but over time that seal can wear. If the flashing itself is damaged or the seal has deteriorated, you may find that your roof is leaking around the flashing material. Those seams will need to be sealed again or the flashing will need to be replaced to resolve this problem.
Roofing seams, such as you would have with metal roofing panels, can also be to blame for the same reason. The seams should be sealed to prevent any water penetration, but that seal can wear due to environmental exposure. If the seal fails, water will seep beneath the roofing panels and lead to roofing leaks. The damage will need to be repaired and then the roofing panels resealed to fix this issue.
Shingle Damage
When you look at your roof, are your roofing shingles all in good condition, secure, and not curling? Can you see any visible granule loss, cracking, or other damage to any of the roofing shingles? Shingles are a common culprit for roofing leaks because they can come loose or may suffer damage due to severe weather and other similar hazards.
If your shingles are visibly worn or damaged, you'll need to have a roofing contractor assess the extent of the issues and provide you with the recommended steps to resolve the problem. Sometimes, you can replace only the affected shingles, while other situations may call for more extensive repairs.
Skylights
Skylights are a decorative feature that many homeowners opt for to help increase the ambient light in their home and make some rooms look more attractive. However, skylights can also be a vulnerable point for your roof. The area around the skylight should be sealed when the skylight is installed, but that doesn't mean that it's not vulnerable to wear and tear. If the seal around your skylight has failed, you may find that your leak is actually coming from the skylight itself, not the roof around it. Your roofing contractor can help you address this with a new application of sealant and any other repairs that may be needed.