Common Causes Of Residential Shingle Roof Leaks And Their Solutions

2 February 2022
 Categories: , Blog

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Of the many different issues you may have with your residential shingle roof, leaks are one of the most serious. Roof leaks not only cause water damage to your home but also create favorable conditions for mold to grow indoors, posing a major health hazard to you and your family. With that said, it's important to investigate and address any sign of a roof leak quickly and effectively.

Here are a few common reasons why your roof may leak and how each problem can be remedied.

Shingle Problems

All roofing materials undergo wear and tear from normal use, and your roof shingles are no exception. Daily exposure to inclement weather elements can cause the shingles on your home's roof to crack, break, or even go missing. When this happens, your roof will have gaps or openings that increase the risk of a leak problem.  

While roof shingles that have come loose but are still intact can be re-installed, those that have split or gone missing will need to be replaced to maintain the roof's structural integrity. As for roof shingles with minor cracks that don't pose a structural problem, repairs may entail spreading sealant smoothly over the cracks to keep them from becoming larger and causing bigger problems.

Failed Flashing

Flashing is one of the unsung heroes of your home's shingle roofing system. It creates a watertight seal in all areas where the surface of your roof intersects with protrusions such as chimneys, skylights, vents, dormers, and many more.

Roof flashing isn't designed to last forever. In fact, this flat and thin strip of metal material may not last as long as the shingles on your residential roof. If it is damaged or deteriorated, it will leave the shingles and underlayment of your roof vulnerable to water penetration. 

The good news is that ineffective roof flashing can be removed and replaced quite easily because there is no additional roofing material installed over it. Roof flashing comes in a variety of colors. You can either choose a color that matches the color of your existing shingles or a unique color that contrasts it.

Blocked Gutters

Every residential roof requires a well-maintained gutter system to help direct roof runoff away from the foundation of the building. If you fail to clean your residential gutters regularly, a lot of dirt and debris can accumulate inside and result in water standing on your roof after a heavy downpour.

The weight of the pounding water can significantly increase the downward pressure on the roof, increasing the risk of leaks. Clogged gutters can be fixed by performing gutter cleaning. Any damage to the gutters will have to be addressed, too.

Roof leaks are a serious problem that requires professional handling to fix correctly. That's why you should let a local roofing contractor give you any residential roofing repair solutions you need.