Unfortunately, the most common causes of roof leaks are not always immediately noticeable, making it hard for homeowners to know whether they’re actually dealing with a leaky roof or not. To help people who struggle with the same issue, this Maupin Roofing blog will discuss eight things that often cause roof leaks—and how to keep these problems from arising in the first place.
1. Broken or Missing Shingles
With severe storms, strong winds, hail, and extreme heat comes the risk of missing shingles or damaged shingles. Even if just a few shingles are affected, that small gap or damage could let water seep into the underlayment and decking below, leading to leaks, mold, and wood rot.
Prevention
To prevent a leaking roof, it’s important to do regular roof inspections, especially after storms. Even if your roofing material looks intact from the ground, loose or missing shingles could be hiding on the other side of the roof or might only be discoverable up close.
You should also look for warning signs like curling, cracking, or bald spots where granules have worn away. Most importantly, make it a habit to get professional repairs as soon as possible if you find any damaged shingles. Waiting too long could mean water damage and even structural damage in the worst cases.
2. Faulty Flashing
Flashing protects the gaps around roof protrusions like skylights and chimneys by sealing and waterproofing the places where they meet the roof.
Flashing seals and protects the gaps around chimneys, vents, skylights, and roof valleys. It’s what keeps water from sneaking in where different parts of your roof meet. But as the years pass, flashing problems can pop up. This includes issues like corrosion and cracks. However, even relatively new flashing can experience problems if it undergoes improper installation.
Prevention
Check around chimneys, skylights, and roof joints for any rust or loose flashing. If you see flashing lifting up or appearing cracked, it’s time for repairs. For new roof installations, make sure you use high-quality, rust-resistant flashing because cheap materials don’t hold up long-term.
3. Clogged Gutters
One of the most common roof leak causes is clogged gutters. Your gutters are there to keep water moving away from your roof and foundation, so when they’re stuffed with leaves and dirt, water pools on your roof instead of flowing off. If these blocked gutters aren’t cleared out quickly, you’re looking at all kinds of roof damage related to water, moisture, and wood rotting. Specifically, standing water starts seeping under shingles, soaking into your fascia boards, and even dripping inside your attic.
Prevention
Prevent leaks caused by clogged gutters by cleaning them at least twice a year. We recommend doing your gutter cleaning in spring and fall when leaves and debris pile up fast. If you have a lot of trees around your property, consider adding gutter guards to keep leaves, small tree branches, twigs, and other debris from collecting in your gutters. This can also help you cut down on maintenance. After heavy rain, you should also check your gutters for overflow or pooling water because that’s a sign they’re clogged.
If you think merely cleaning your gutters isn’t cutting it anymore or you’re dealing with a compromised gutter system, call Maupin Roofing for reliable gutter installation and replacement services here in Oklahoma City.
4. Cracked or Worn Vent Booting
Roof vents let warm air and moisture escape from your attic. But the rubber “boot” that seals them can eventually crack due to heat, constant exposure to weather, or regular aging. With a cracked neoprene pipe boot, water can start leaking around the vent, leading to stains, mold, water damage, and interior ceiling damage.
Prevention
You should check your roof vents at least once annually for cracking and deterioration. If your vent booting looks dry, brittle, or cracked, it’s best to replace it before it leaks. Make sure vents are always properly sealed after installation because cheap or poorly done booting definitely won’t last long.
5. Skylight Leaks
Like other roof elements, skylights can develop leaks if installed incorrectly or if the seals are already too old to properly do their job. These things, as well as cracks, can let water leak until it causes major water damage to your roofing system or your property itself.
Prevention
We recommend inspecting your skylights every few months. Look for cracked seals, condensation between panes, or signs of water stains around the edges. Another prevention tip is to keep debris off your skylight—leaves and dirt can hold moisture, and if they sit long enough near or around your skylight, deterioration will happen much faster than expected.
The age of your skylight also affects how leak-proof it can be. So, keep in mind that if your skylight is more than 10-15 years old, it’s best to replace it with a modern, leak-resistant version that will last you many years.
6. Ice Dams
Ice dams form when your roof isn’t properly insulated. This is because heat from your home melts snow at the top of your roof, which then freezes again at the edges and forms ice dams. The ice and water shield melting snow behind them, forcing water under your shingles and straight into your roof.
Prevention
Always make sure your attic is properly insulated to prevent uneven roof temperatures. Then, keep your gutters clear so melting snow has a way to drain instead of pooling on the roof. As soon as you notice ice buildup at the edges of your roof, act fast. Removing it before it causes damage is the best way to protect your roof’s structure and also save repair expenses.
7. General Roof Aging
Asphalt shingles, slate shingles, metal shingles, or wood shingles—whatever the type, there will come a time when they won’t be as sturdy as they once were. Generally speaking, roofs that are over 20 years old will start showing signs of wear, and leaks are also more likely at that age.
Some signs that you have an aging roof (aside from its actual age) are:
Bald spots on shingles where granules have worn away
Shingles curling or cracking
Water stains in your attic ceiling
Prevention
The simplest way to prevent a leaking roof is to keep track of your roof’s age. If you’re not sure when it was installed, you can keep an eye out for the signs we listed above. Once you’ve determined that your roof is past its expected lifespan, it’s great to start planning for a replacement before you’re forced to deal with a leaky roof. Additionally, it’s beneficial to get a professional inspection every couple of years to catch small problems and rectify them right away.
8. Improper Maintenance or Repairs
Homeowners may choose to maintain their roofs themselves, but that comes with the risk of improper maintenance or repair processes. For instance, if you’re repairing parts of your roof, it’s important that the roofing nails are correctly driven. This is because a protruding nail head means it can’t securely hold the shingle or roofing material in place, inevitably leading to gaps that water can sneak in through. Additionally, rainwater can catch on decking nail heads and follow it all the way to the inside of your home, especially with nails driven incorrectly. That’s why it’s important to make sure that nail hits good wood and reaches the right depth.
Prevention
To be on the safe side, it’s more practical for most homeowners to have professional roofers maintain their roofs or carry out repairs. This way, you can be sure that the experts will follow the right processes, meaning you’ll get more reliable and lasting results.
Looking for reliable roofing OKC services? Maupin Roofing is the roofing company to reach out to!
Got a Leaky Roof? Contact Maupin Roofing!
The most extreme cases of leaky roofs start with nothing but small defects, which is why we always recommend getting roof repairs and maintenance as soon as possible. Equally as important is sticking to a regular maintenance and inspection schedule to make sure your roof is always in great shape.
Visit our website to learn more about our commercial and residential services or call us directly at 405-703-3843!
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