The Texas weather can quickly fluctuate and cause a myriad of problems for your home’s roof. Major weather events or old age are often the biggest culprits when it comes to roof leaks. However, leaks can also occur gradually at any time of the year due to a wide range of reasons, including these.
1. Storms
Roof leaks caused by storm damage are often easy to spot. Since shingles form the exterior layer of your roof, a quick visual inspection from the ground level should help you spot missing or damaged shingles. In some instances, you can find shingles littering your yard after a violent storm. Have a professional roofer inspect your roof and make the necessary repairs before they turn into bigger, costly problems.
2. Lack of Maintenance
Ignoring your roof comes with disastrous consequences. Failure to inspect and maintain your roof can cause leaks around the weak points of the roof. Caulking and pitch pans can dry out over time, causing rainwater to seep through to the interior of your home. Regular inspections and maintenance can help identify minor issues and prevent further leaks and water damage down the road.
3. Trees
Gutters are designed to channel rainwater off the roof and away from your home’s foundation. Leaves and twigs can cause them to clog, allowing rainwater to overflow at one area of the roof, making it susceptible to leaks. It’s advisable to regularly inspect your gutters for clogs and clean out any debris. Trim trees around your home to help keep the debris in your gutters down. You can also have your roofer install leaf guards to prevent leaves and other debris from clogging your gutters.
4. Animals
Various animals and rodents can ruin roofs in a variety of ways and trigger leaks.
- Squirrels chew on vents and shingles
- Bird nests block gutters
- Bird poop can cause acid damage to roofing components
- Raccoons rip through shingles
- Rats nest on soffits and do a lot of chewing damage
Let your roofing contractor inspect your roof for damage caused by unwanted animals and recommend mitigation measures to prevent the problems from recurring.
5. Protrusions and Decorations
Attaching temporary decorations such as Christmas lights to your roof can cause issues and leaks down the road. Using nails or staples to fasten the lights to your roof will allow water to penetrate down to your decking and it could start to rot. Instead, plastic clips can be purchased to safely install your lights to your shingles, gutters, or eaves. Also – use a ladder instead of walking across your roof! This will protect you and your roof.
Roof protrusions such as skylights and chimneys can be susceptible to leaks. Leaks and wet spots around these roofing components could be a sign of flashing issues. Have your roofer inspect these roofing protrusions and seal any cracks with a layer of silicone if necessary. Another option is to replace the flashing and reseal the area accordingly.
As you can see, leaks often develop due to a variety of reasons. However, sometimes leaks become prevalent simply because your roof is getting old. Whenever you discover a leaking roof, you need to hire a professional roofer to make the necessary repairs. KPost Roofing & Waterproofing is your trusted roofing partner in DFW Metroplex. We have the expertise to help you with any roofing needs. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
