4 Tips to Prevent Roof Leaks Before They Happen
Your roof is the first line of defense against the elements. When your roof is compromised, it can’t keep your home and family safe.
You deserve a roof that keeps your home safe for a lifetime. Not only do you want a high-quality roof installed by top-of-the-line roofing contractors, but you also want to keep up with roof maintenance to maximize the roof’s lifespan.
Rescue My Roof has been educating homeowners for over a decade, helping them to protect their homes.
Roof leaks can cause costly damage to your home, so it’s best to use our four tips to prevent them.
This article will cover our best tips for protecting your home from leaks and damage. Ultimately, you’ll be able to follow these tips to keep your roof in top shape.
4 Ways to Prevent Roof Leaks
Roof leaks are one of the most common reasons homeowners call roofing professionals for repairs.
Usually, leaks are only detected after they have done considerable damage to your home. Because of this, leaks are one of the costliest repairs for homeowners.
Here are some tips to prevent roof leaks before they happen, saving your home and your wallet.
1. Bi-Annual Roof Inspections
Finding roof damage or roof leaks can be a challenging task for homeowners. There are many areas where roof leaks can occur, like pipe boots, chimneys, and exhaust vents. Additionally, if you see the damage inside, it may not directly line up with a spot on your roof.
The key to avoiding roof damage is finding issues before they leak.
Doing a roof inspection in the fall and spring can help you spot issues before your roof has to handle the wear and tear of winter.
Homeowners can inspect the roof from the ground, inspecting for missing or damaged shingles and holes and examining roof penetrations.
However, the best practice is to call a roofing professional to inspect your roof at least once a year, if not twice.
Roof inspectors are trained to catch issues homeowners may miss, protecting your home from costly damage.
All major roof problems can be avoided with a comprehensive roof inspection. Call your local roofer, set up a date, and have your roof professionally inspected.
2. Check Your Attic for Water Damage
Signs of a roof leak can be found in your attic. Therefore, before inspecting the roof’s exterior, check the attic for mold, water stains, and rotting wood.
When inspecting your attic, the first thing to check is ventilation. Ensure parts of your ventilation, like soffit vents or ridge vents, are never blocked, as blockages lead to moisture and heat build-up.
If air cannot effectively flow through your attic, the insulation can lose functionality, shingles can buckle, and rafters can begin to rot. Additionally, you may see mold or mildew growth in your attic.
If you see these issues, either ventilation may be the cause, or roof leaks may be to blame. Call your local roofer to inspect the roof and attic to avoid further damage.
Following step one and doing bi-annual inspections, you can catch these issues before they spread.
Ultimately, checking your attic space for ventilation issues and signs of leaks will catch a roof leak before it happens.
3. Inspect Roof Penetrations
Roof leaks usually occur around penetrations in the roof, like vents and chimneys.
Flashing and caulk are used around roof penetrations to create a water-tight seal. However, the flashing may pull away or rust over time, increasing the likelihood of leaks.
Inspecting the flashing around penetrations ensures you will catch when the flashing starts to lose effectiveness before a full-blown leak begins.
Homeowners can re-caulk around the penetrations to keep water out. However, the best solution is to call a roofing company to inspect and replace the old flashing.
4. Replace Rubber Gaskets Every 10-12 Years
If you have PVC pipes on your roof, roofers will install rubber gaskets at their base to prevent leaks.
However, rubber doesn’t last forever. After a decade, the gasket will begin to wear out and tear. To avoid roof leaks in this area, inspect rubber gaskets during roof inspections and, when the time comes, replace them.
Preventing Roof Leaks
Ultimately, the key to preventing roof leaks is to do roof inspections twice a year. Inspect the shingles, attic, ventilation, and penetrations in the roof.
If you see signs of water damage or damaged flashing, it’s time to call a roof inspector.
You can learn more about roof leaks and the damage they cause with “4 Places Where Roof Leaks Happen” and “9 Factors Impacting Roof Repair Pricing.”
Do you need a roof inspection in Southeastern Wisconsin? Contact the experts at Rescue My Roof today to get a free estimate.