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What’s Causing Your Leaky Roof?

What’s Causing Your Leaky Roof?

Leaky roofs are a headache and happen at the most inconvenient times. Nobody wants to deal with them, but it is critical to do it quickly because it will lead to structural damage inside your house and force you to buy a whole new roof if left ignored.

Preventing roof leaks is completely doable if you take the time to properly care for your roof and perform regular maintenance, but you can also stop most leaks before they become huge problems. Let's look at the most common types and some tips to repair them.

Worn Out Materials

The biggest culprit for leaks is simply aging. Materials, especially asphalt shingles, will wear out over time, and contraction and expansion from changing temperatures eventually lead to cracking as they turn brittle.

UV rays can also melt the tar that holds them together, and you won't always know there's a problem developing unless you go up on your roof yourself. Regular inspections will help you know when problems will occur and can help prevent major issues, but at a certain point, your shingles and other materials will need to be replaced.

In this scenario, a leak can appear in the walls and ceiling, and you will have to investigate to pinpoint the exact location of the problem. Replacing shingles can be helpful, but if you're dealing with holes and major cracks, covering the leaking location with a tarp and calling a professional will be your best bet.

Your Flashing Is Failing

Flashing is thin strips of metal installed around areas like chimneys and vents to create a seal and keep out water. They need to be aligned and securely in place because, without them, there's no protection around the base of the components protruding from your roof.

Leaks from poorly installed or failing flashing can show up in a couple of different ways, most commonly appearing as water stains on your walls. Roofing cement and caulking can be a great temporary fix, but depending on the extent of damage, unless you have experience replacing the components, it's never recommended to do DIY on this job.

Your Gutters Have Been Ignored

Proper maintenance and cleaning allow your gutters to do their job effectively and prevent water from pooling on the roof. However, if this task has not been accomplished, your gutters can fill with debris and leaves and create a path of resistance for water to run directly into your home.

The leak will usually show up in areas adjacent to the gutters, and to address this, you may have to add flashing to the backside of the gutter to prevent water from getting behind it and into your home. If your gutter system is giving these signs, it might be time to consider gutter replacement.

The Skylights Were Not Installed Correctly

Over the years, skylights have gotten a bad rep for leaking, but the truth is, with a good installation, you don't have to worry about them.

If there is a leak, it will show up around the outside edges of the skylight, and the repair can be extensive. The flashing and cladding need to be removed, which is followed up by applying a water and ice shield around it and then reapplying the flashing for a watertight seal.

Dealing With a Leaky Roof? Platinum Restoration Is Here to Help!

These are just a few of the most common leaks, but they can occur from something as small as improperly driven nails. If you don't have the experience and know-how, DIY can cost you in mistakes, so when you need an expert in roofing and exterior services, Platinum Restoration is your local and trusted roofing contractor in Minnesota.

From residential to commercial, no project is too big or too small; request a quote online or call our office at 763-244-1474 today.

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