Having a roof leak on your home can not only be damaging to your home but it can also be extremely frustrating. Roof leaks can happen at almost any time and there are many reasons why your roof may be leaking. Getting roof repair in Canton Michigan when you have a roof leak is critical but it’s also important to understand just what caused the roof to leak to begin with so you may be able to avoid future roof leaks on your home.
8 Reasons Why You May Have a Roof Leak in Canton Michigan
While the biggest threats to the roof on your home is weather and age there are other problems that can develop as well. While you really can’t do anything about the weather, you may be able to do something about how well your roof is protected when a storm does happen. There are other problems besides weather that can also affect the roof as well. Consider wildlife and what happens when it goes about scurry about on your roof. It may lead to some of this damage as well. With that being said, here are the top reasons why your roof may be leaking and what you can do about it.
Some of these problems may not immediately end up as a roof leak. Instead the roof may start to leak later, sometimes even months later after the damage has occurred. As with any roofing problem however you’ll want to repair any damages as quickly as possible.
1 – Broken or Missing Shingles on the Roof
If you have asphalt shingles on your roof one of the problems that can cause a roof leak is missing or broken shingles. During high winds shingles can be blown backwards and break which exposes the roof underneath. If you have broken or missing shingles you’ll need to have those shingles replaced or it can end up causing a roof leak over time. You will be able to notice these missing shingles with a quick visual check of the roof as well.
2 – Impact Damage and Punctures
Trees can cause all sorts of damage to the roof. Not just the entire tree but also branches that may fall from the tree onto the roof of the home. Usually this will end up puncturing the roof on your home which may end up as a roof leak. Keeping trees trimmed back away from the roof can reduce this problem. Other impacts however you may not be able to avoid such as hail damage on your roof from larger hailstones. There are roofing products available that can withstand impacts from hail however.
3 – Roof Decking Failures
The roof decking on your home is the wooden material that the roofing is attached to. If there is a problem here such as insect damage it can cause the roofing to fail. It can also be dangerous to walk on the roof as well if there are problems with the roof decking.
4 – Skylights
Any component that penetrates the roofing surface can lead to problems and maybe a roof leak. These components can include things like plumbing vent pipes, chimneys, and even skylights. The seal around these components can sometimes crack and fail long before your roofing fails which can end up as a roof leak. Getting regular inspections on your home’s roof can usually prevent these problems.
5 – Clogged or Damaged Gutters
The gutters on your home are also an important component in your roofing system. Especially during winter the gutters should be clear and flowing. Damaged gutters or gutters that don’t allow water to exit the roof quickly can end up causing roof ice dams and other roof problems.
6 – Aging Roof
Most roofing materials only have a life span of about 20 years. Older roofing materials will start to deteriorate quickly and if your roof is older then you’ll likely have problems with the roof associated with it aging.
7 – Ventilation Problems
The roof on your home should be properly ventilated. Sometimes problems do occur which cause the ventilation to stop working properly. Things like birds building nests in vents or boxes stacked up against vents in the attic. Make sure your roof is properly ventilated or it can cause it to prematurely age.
8 – Flashing Damages
Another roofing component that can be damaged is the flashing on your home. If your roof has many angles and dimensions there likely is a lot of flashing that is used. When the flashing fails it can lead to all sorts of damage on the roof.
Get a Roof Inspection Today
If you’re concerned about your roof and think it might have a problem be sure to call a qualified roofing contractor to inspect the roof. At Twelve Oaks Roofing, they can inspect the roof and repair any damages you may have. Call them today at 248-525-6950 for more details and pricing estimates.
