Roof leaks are the worst.
Any leak is a pain to deal with, but roof leaks happen to be some of the hardest to diagnose and, handle. Why might you ask?
For starters, a roof leak means getting on your roof.
Next, after diagnosing a roof leak, knowing how to correct it means understanding the anatomy of a roof and having the right expertise. So in most cases, a roof leak requires a professional before it becomes a more significant issue.
Lucky for you, though, in this roof leaks article, we will help you determine the following:
- What to look for if you think you have a roof leak,
- The common causes of roof leaks,
- And how to repair a potential roof leak!
First, everything to know about Roof Leaks!
One of our famous sayings here at Legacy Roofing of Idaho is, “An informed homeowner is the best homeowner.” That is why we love sharing as much as possible when it comes to your home’s roof, protecting it, and preserving your roof properly.
We know that dealing with a roof leak is not fun and while we encourage regular roof maintenance, sometimes leaky roofs happen!
Here are a couple quick tips to know about roof leaks:
- Roof leaks always start small but when you roof is leaking, it can lead to bigger issues like mold growth, rotting wood, and interior damage.
- When a leak appears, chances are it isn’t brand new. A professional roofer can often diagnose the leaky roof and any accompanying roof damage!
- If you suspect a leaky roof, get a temporary fix to hold you over. Sometimes you will want to get the roof repaired; other times you might need a roof replacement. It also doesn’t hurt to see what insurance has to say!
- Find the leak! Some will say you can use a garden hose to find a leak on your roof, but this can cause further damage and if you notice water dripping or water stains, well you know you have a leak. Performing regular home maintenance and roof checks is proactive, but sometimes you need to call a roofing contractor!
➡️Related: Roofing Facts You Might Not Know!
The 11 most common causes of a leaky roof!
Knowing what causes a possible roof leak is vital to being able to diagnose and then fix the said leak. In general, the shortlist of possible roof leaks may include:
- Missing shingles due to wind or storms.
- Loose or broken shingles in the yard or visible from the ground.
- Pipe collar seals & rubber boot collars that are cracked (usually won’t know until it’s too late).
- Flashing leaks (areas around chimneys)
- Ridge vent leaks
- Skylights, dormers, and chimney areas where moisture can penetrate
- Clogged gutters (causing heavy rain)
- Roof vents or any area where something sticks out of your roof
- Holes in roof
- Rotting fascia boards
- Age of roof (really old roofs that no longer work)
While there could be another cause, such as a giant windstorm like a Noreaster, in most cases, many roof leaks are slow growing. Put another way, the leak starts small and gradually grows and increases over time.
If you think you have a leak, there are a few ways to figure out that we list below.
What to look for if you think you have a leaking roof:
The most obvious sign that you have a roof leak is when you see a water stain on your top floor ceiling on your drywall.
It isn’t uncommon for someone to wake up one morning and to go into a room or their bathroom and see discoloration on their ceiling after a heavy rainstorm. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean you need a new roof, in fact, it probably means you need a few shingles repaired or a pipe collar replaced.
Either way, here are some straightforward tips to stay on top of your possible roof leak issues *and what to look for):
- Always keep an eye out for missing shingles. Missing shingles are easy to spot; if you see some missing, handle them immediately before the problem becomes too big!
- Do an annual attic inspection. Look for wetness, mold, stains, and moisture. Hopefully, you won’t see anything like this!
- Find a roofing inspector for free. Most roof companies will inspect a roof for free. Now, many might try to sell the idea of a new roof, but if you want to get a solid inspection simply, call a roofing company.
- Look at the common leak areas. Leaks can occur in skylights, pipe collars, roof vents, and roof flashing areas. Also, if you see a dip or sag in your roof’s shingles – you might want to do #3 above and have it inspected.
- Exposed nail heads & nail pops. If you see a few nail heads aka nail pops, chances are you could have a roof leak in that area. When a roofing contractor installs a new roof, they not only have to use roofing nails, but they also need to make sure they follow the proper nail patterns. Improperly driven nails can be a cause of your leaky roof!
If you follow the list above and you can say yes to any, this could mean you might have a possible roof leak. Be sure to act fast!
Roof leaks never get better with time; they only get worse! Below is how to go about addressing a roof leak issue!
How to get your roof leak fixed fast!
Step 1: Do a quick street view roof inspection.
Got a pair of binoculars? Grab them, survey your roof, and look for any missing shingles.
Be sure to be extra vigilant when heavy Boise wind storms sweep through the area!
You can also look for low spots on your roof and anything else that looks out of place. A lot of real estate agents will ask for a roof inspection or condition check when selling/buying a home so start with your street view visual inspection!
Step 2: Call a Roofing Company
Once you think you have a roof leak, or even if you want to get a roof inspection, your next logical step is to call a roofing company with a great reputation.
Be sure to ask the correct questions, like is the company licensed and insured? Once they come out and assess your situation, it doesn’t hurt to take their information and get a second opinion.
Based on what the different roofing companies recommend, you can then elect to repair your roof leak or replace your entire roof’s shingles. Roofing issues are not something to drag your feet on since they can often lead to bigger problems!
Step 4: Fix Your Roof’s Leak
If you find out you have a roof leak, fix it as fast as possible! As stated, a small leak can become a big leak in a matter of weeks, and even sometimes days based on the rainstorms.
Waiting to fix your roof leak can lead to more damage and such as having to replace roof decking, fascia boards and adding even more replacement shingles. Depending on the cause of the leak and severity, there are instances when you can work with your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if the repair or even new roof is covered by insurance!
We DO NOT recommend getting on a ladder and inspecting the roof yourself or trying to repair the leak yourself. Ladders are dangerous and can cause serious injury or even death. Secondly, most repairs are not as simple as just adding a shingle or two. The leak often requires an expert to fix this problem!
Final Word on Roof Leaks & Roof Repairs:
Before you do anything, call a certified roof company that can work with insurance companies to help you.
In most cases, you have two options:
While the repair may consist of many things, from replacing flashing to adjusting loose shingles, you always want to take a leaky roof seriously!
Sometimes, the leak repair will only cost a few hundred dollars or less than your deductible. In that case, you won’t need to file a claim with insurance, something a dependable roofing company can help you with! But that starts with you calling the right roofing company in the first place.
Additionally, when you have a roof leak, if the issue is minor and can be quickly handled with a Perma boot replacement or a few new shingles, that is good. But considering the age of your roof, there are instances when roof repairs are simply a bandaid on a gaping wound.
Put another way, if the roof needs to be replaced (which is sometimes more straightforward), it’s sometimes cheaper long term to go that route! Either way, the best way to start is to reach out here or use the contact button below simply!
Here at Legacy Roofing of Idaho, we will help you with all roofing needs, including those pesky roof leaks!