Common Causes of Roof Leaks

Common Causes of Roof Leaks  

No one is ever really prepared for a roof leak, even when your house is on the older side. The first instinct for many homeowners may be to ignore it, so they don’t have to think about how to budget for the repair costs. But time is of the essence when it comes to leaks. If you don’t find the problem fast, you may end up having to replace the whole roof – and more.

The Usual Suspects

The biggest reason your roof may be leaking is rather obvious: there’s a gap somewhere above your head. It could be a cracked chimney or shingle, or the planes of the roof may not have been sealed correctly. Your skylight may have a sealant problem, or the flashing may not have been installed properly.

Sometimes it’s as easy as a clogged gutter that needs to be cleaned. Or, in the winter, ice dam build-ups are common in New England. These can cause the roof to falter under the weight of the frozen water. Condensation can also form in your attic, which you can generally identify if there’s some type of mold or mildew on or near the roof. Another common culprit may be boots of the roof, which are the rubber seals that surround your vents and pipes.

Whatever it is, you need to find the source of the problem as soon as possible. And unless it’s 100% obvious, you’ll likely need a quality roofer to correctly diagnose your leak.