Do you know how a leaky roof causes water damage in Central Maryland?

One of the most aggravating things a homeowner must deal with is a leaky roof. You may not even know that your roof is leaking until you spot signs of water damage, such as mold growing on the roof or stains on the ceiling or walls.

As you roof gets older, it’s important to have your roof inspected occasionally. Roof leaks can cause more damage than you think, so learn to identify the potential problems.

Why Roofs Leak

There are numerous reasons why a roof would leak. Some of the most common reasons are:

• The elements and old Age: Over the years, your roof is tormented by rain, wind, hail, snow, and the relentless sun. These harsh weather conditions begin to take their toll, breaking, cracking, and tearing shingles from the roof. Once damaged shingles are missing on old roofs, it paves the way for leaks to develop.

• Unattended open holes: If a TV antenna, solar panels, satellite dish, or other fixtures are taken off the roof, any unpatched holes left behind could cause a leak. Even tiniest holes will cause problems if you ignore them.

• Improper shingle placement: To keep water out, correct shingle installation is vital in creating a durable roof. Wind might pull the shingles apart and allow rainwater to seep in if they aren’t spaced properly.

• Valleys are poorly sealed: When two sections of rooflines meet, they create a valley for water to run down toward the gutter. Valleys must be seamlessly connected to each adjoining roof and if not, poor seals create the possibility of a roof leak.

• Leaky roof additions: Chimneys, vents, and flues, are surrounded by rubber seals and/or metal flashing. Once these materials get weather beaten and start to crack or rust, water can seep behind them when it rains.

• Skylight installation: When you have leaky skylights, they are easy to spot because they leak directly into the living space. If skylight installation is not done properly or there are decayed sealing materials along the edge of the skylights, then they are most likely to blame.

• Ice dams: During the winter when snow on the roof melts and runs toward the gutters, it can refreeze before draining off the roof, creating an ice dam. The accumulation of the melting snow behind the dam lingers on the roof, thus deteriorating the shingles causing a leak.

• Clogged downspouts and gutters: If the downspouts and/or gutters are clogged with leaves and other debris, water can pool on the roof where it damages the shingles. Over a period of time, this may cause a leak.

The Importance of Repairing Roof Leaks

As soon as you notice a roof leak, it’s important to repair the leak as soon as possible. If it only happens one time, the roof leak is no big deal since you can dry up the moisture and no permanent harm is done.

If you put off roof repair, it could result in repeated leaks every time it rains or snows which could lead to mold growth in the attic or serious structural damage. The longer you wait, the more cumbersome and expensive they are to repair, because in addition to fixing the roof, you must also clean up mold and replace water-damaged items.

If you’ve suffered water damage as a result of a leaky roof, then call Restoration 1 of Central Maryland to assess the damage and prepare a detailed estimate to begin restoration services.