What's Causing The Roof Leak? - Roofer911.com	Submit Your Article
By: Roofer911.com

Just because your roof is leaking doesn’t necessarily mean there is a hole in it. In this article we’ll take a look at some of the ‘other’ causes of leaking roofs. Wind, snow, poor ventilation, and other culprits may cause roofs to leak. Taking into account certain climatic conditions while planning your roofing project can definitely help you to avoid some of these situations, not to mention saving you considerable expense.

Flashing – There seems to be a general consensus among experienced roofers that 95% of leaks not related to the roofing material itself, may be contributed to flashing failure. The purpose of flashing is to provide a watertight transition between roofing materials and roof protrusions (such as chimneys, skylights, or vents), and also between roof sections (as in valleys). In most situations repairing or replacing the flashing will suffice. In cases where there is no apparent defect in the flashing material, and no sign of improper installation, a “through-wall” flashing may eliminate the leak.

Wind and Rain – Aside from the obvious fact that high wind can damage roofing material, allowing water to enter, there is another way these two elements can team up to spell trouble for your roof. Even a roof in perfect condition could become leaky if wind blows water under the eave, or under the shingles. The roof decking material can become so water logged that it will drip, giving the appearance of a leak. One method of dealing with this problem is to hem (or bend under) the edges of the roof. You may want to consider having a weather proof lining installed underneath the shingles. Hemming and the use of such a liner can minimize (if not eliminate) damages due to wind driven rain.

Snow – There are several ways in which snow can cause water to penetrate a seemingly watertight roof. Much in the same way that piles of debris (such as leaves) can cause a leak, so can snow. When heat from your home causes the snow to melt, the weight of the snow exerts pressure on the water which can force it underneath shingles and eventually through your ceiling. Another way for snow to cause damage is by forming “ice dams”. Water from melting snow will run to the edge of the roof. The water then refreezes forming the ice dams. Now with these dams in place any water that comes down the roof will be collected in pools. These pools can cause water to get under the eave and cause a lot of damage. Snow & ice shield is way to help prevent this type of damage from occurring. Improper attic ventilation is another possible culprit causing ice dams.
 
I have only tried to cover a few of the main examples of things (other than holes) that can cause a hard to diagnose leak to occur. As always you should seek the advice of a trusted professional before making any major roofing project decisions.  Find out more at http://www.roofhelp.com/roof_repairs.htm

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