Whether it’s a drippy ceiling or discoloration, a leaky roof is a serious problem by the time you’ve noticed it in your home. For every sign you can see, there is more extensive damage you can’t see. And the longer you postpone any needed repairs, the more costly the damage will end up being.
That’s why if your home is showing any signs of a leaking roof, it’s important to contact your roofing repair contractors right away to prevent additional damage. At The Construction Group in Woodbury, we offer Twin Cities roof repair services as well as roof replacement.
Let’s discuss the main causes of roof leaks and how we can help you get them back in shape to protect your home!
But First, Let’s Address This Common Roof Myth
Your roof serves an important function as part of your home. By preventing water from entering, your roof prevents mildew, mold, and other damage from impacting your home. But over time, homeowners can end up faced with a common problem: a leaky roof.
Many homeowners mistakenly think that a water spot on their ceiling can be easily fixed with putty or by replacing a shingle or two, but often the problem is much more serious. Contact a professional right away to address the source of your leaky roof.
Many homeowners have preconceived notions about leaky roofs. Here are a few:
Myth #1. You Can Fix a Leak by Applying Putty to Your Ceiling
If you’ve ever experienced a roof leak, then you know that there are a lot of products at your local home improvement store that attempt to provide the fix. Most of these products recommend patching your ceiling by placing putty over the leak inside your home.
Although this temporary solution may prevent water from leaking into your home, it doesn’t fix a leaky roof, it may just appear to do so. To fix a leaky roof, you should hire a team of professionals like our team at The Construction Group. We stop leaks at the source, which is your roof.
Myth #2. Replacing a Shingle Will Stop a Leak
Another myth fix is believing that you can replace a shingle or two and fix a water leak. Shingles aren’t the only component of your roof that prevents water from entering your home, so replacing one shingle may not resolve the issue.
Myth #3. A Ceiling Stain Is Due to Your Air Conditioning
A ceiling stain is an indication that there is moisture affecting your ceiling. An assumption people make is that stains are limited to their air conditioning systems producing air that is a different temperature from the air in their home.
Although that’s how condensation is produced, it may not be the one and only reason for the ceiling stain. In fact, a roof leak can easily cause a ceiling stain.
To be on the safe side, you should hire a professional–The Construction Group can help you to determine what is causing the stain on your ceiling!
11 Common Causes of Leaky Roofs
These are the most common causes of leaky roofs. Don’t ignore the signs, or the issue will only get worse!
1. Shingle Damage
Strong weather represents the greatest threat to your roof. High winds pull the shingles from your roof’s decking, while freezing weather can cause them to dry out and become cracked.
2. Flashing Problems
The thin metal piece installed under your shingles and onto the roof joints is called flashing. Its purpose is to help move water around from your roof’s valleys or corners. This can end up with corrosion that leads to cracks and holes. Cracked or corroded flashing could cause holes to form.
3. Valley Issues
The place where two sections of your roof come together is known as a valley. These need to be properly sealed together so water cannot seep into the attic. However, they can become loose over time or even end up missing.
4. Water Buildup
Built-up water can seep through your roof and infiltrate your home.
5. Poor Ventilation
The roof needs to be adequately ventilated to keep condensation and humidity from building in the attic. Proper ventilation means that air can flow throughout the entire attic.
6. Missing or Cracked Booting
Objects on your roof, such as skylights, satellites, and chimneys, need seals around them. When these seals, known as booting, are damaged, it can cause roof problems.
7. Clogged Gutters
Debris in your gutters can cause a clog, causing water to be rerouted and damage your home’s fascia, siding, or roof.
8. Age
Every roof type has its designated lifespan. Once that time reaches, it begins to show signs of weakness. Hence, your roof may begin to leak when they have reached the end of its life span.
9. Broken or Missing RoofingTiles
Sometimes, roof leaks could result from broken or missing tiles or shingles, which serve as a shield to your roof. Materials can be compromised–they can break, crack, and fall down when part of your shingles are hit by a strong object, including hail–creating inevitable leaking.
10. Cracked Chimney
Over the course of their time, your chimneys get weak from years of continuous exposure to harsh weather, causing the mortar that holds it all together to wear away. Once this happens, water can pass through the space created by this wear. Be sure to check out The Construction Group’s special value coupons for chimney inspections on our home page!
11. Poorly Installed or Damaged Skylights
A leak originating from one of your skylights is likely to be the easiest to detect, as it should be very evident. In some situations, when leaks come from your roof windows, it's possible the flashing is also affected.
If your skylight is damaged, your window experts should be able to tell if you need a window replacement or repair.
Get a Free Quote for Twin Cities Roof Repair Services
If you’ve been overlooking a water spot on your roof, don’t wait until it causes serious damage. Regular roof maintenance prolongs your roof’s life expectancy and helps to protect your home against extreme weather. Our experienced roof repair services team at The Construction Group can help with new roof installation as well.
Whether you need storm damage assessment or you’re just tired of putting out buckets when it rains, give us a call. Connect with our residential roofing experts at The Construction Group at 651-731-5857 or contact us to schedule your free roof repair quote today.