Roof leaks are a major inconvenience for all involved. But, if a roof leak is left unaddressed for any length of time, the issue will be far more difficult to fix. Additionally, as a roof leak becomes more severe, the eventual repair expenses will become higher.
To ensure that you don’t run into a major roof leak, it helps to understand roof leak risk factors. Let’s go over the most common causes of leaking roofs for homeowners in Omaha and beyond. AGR Roofing and Construction in Omaha can help you address a roof leak with reliable roof repair services.
Neglected Roof Maintenance
Neglecting roof maintenance is the prime cause of roof leaks. When a roof goes for too long without being inspected or repaired, it will start to weaken. Shingles may become broken or otherwise damaged, and roof caulking can crack. These issues, among others, can allow water to flow into your home and cause water damage.
While forgetting to maintain your roof may seem like a minor issue in the moment, it can have serious complications. If you go years without having your roof inspected, a large problem could go unnoticed and escalate into a full roof leak.
Roof inspections are crucial to identify roof damage. When you have your roof inspected each year (at least), you can trust that weak points are found and repaired before the problem gets worse. Regular roof inspections and maintenance as well as preventing gutter damage are some of the best ways to prevent a leak in your roof.
Storm Damage
Storm damage can bring about multiple types of damage that lead to leaks, including broken shingles, broken flashing, and tree damage. All types of storms have the potential to create a leak in your roof, including:
- Hailstorms
Severe hailstorms present a sizable risk to your home. If hailstorms are large enough or fall to the Earth with enough force, they may leave punctures in your roof. If punctures aren’t promptly repaired, your roof could start to leak.
- Snowstorms
After a snowstorm, uneven roof surface temperatures could lead to a leak. This may occur if melted snow freezes on your roof, potentially causing an ice dam. When water pools behind an ice dam and sits on your roof, the water may start to seep through your roofing system.
- Thunderstorms
The high winds that thunderstorms may bring can damage your roofing materials. High winds may lift up shingles and even tear them completely off of your roof. When the condition of your shingles is compromised, your roof becomes weaker and could allow water to seep into your home.
To prevent storm damage from causing a leak in your roof, take measures to protect your roofing materials. This includes trimming nearby trees to ensure that overhanging branches don’t fall during a storm and puncture your roof. Additionally, try to minimize shaded areas of your roof, as the shade can worsen excess moisture problems after a storm and may lead to the growth of moss or algae.
Regularly cleaning your gutters can also help reduce the impact of storm damage to your roof. With a well-functioning gutter system, precipitation will effectively drain off of your roof and away from your home. This will be a large contribution to your roof leak prevention efforts. If your gutters are clogged with debris, the damage after a storm could be maximized due to improper drainage.
Poor Sealing
Poor sealing is another significant cause of roof leaks. The spot at which two planes of your roof meet is called a valley. When a roof is installed, the valleys are sealed to keep water from seeping into the home. If your roof was poorly sealed, or if the sealing has deteriorated over time, your roof is at risk for leakage. Sealing mainly deteriorates due to high levels of precipitation. Heavy rainfall, in particular, can lead to erosion in your sealing.
If your sealing has been compromised, it’s important to have it repaired by your roofing specialists. Note that this repair job will involve removing the shingles in the area of the damaged sealing, re-sealing the valley, and installing new shingles.
Contact AGR Roofing and Construction today for roof repairs for a leaking roof.
