Six Top Ways to Prevent Roof Leaks

One of the most common reasons that homeowners call in the professionals for their roof is roofing maintenance. Even though the roof that you were given when your house was built is supposed to last you between 10 and 20 years, things still occur.

Climate change happens, tornadoes rip through streets even when tornadoes aren’t expected, and heavy winds and hailstones can cause roofs to become damaged. Roof leaks are one of the most common reasons that people choose to speak to a professional about their roof and these are usually only detected after they’ve done considerable damage inside your home. 

Roof leaks are therefore one of the most costliest issues that you could encounter as a homeowner. When it comes down to it, you need to be looking to act preventatively where possible and be proactive in keeping your roof in the best possible shape.

Having regular inspections by the professionals will mean that you end up with the best possible care. With that in mind, here are six top ways to prevent roof leaks so you don’t have to worry about calling the professionals in the first place.

1. Regular Roof Inspections

Make roof inspections a priority. You can move into a home and have LeafFilter gutter guards installed, which is a great first step. However, it can be a tough task to find any roof leaks, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Often leaks will not line up with the areas where you’ll see water getting into your home through a broken gutter.

Spots on your walls, blisters, paint peeling and other similar issues often require an expert with a trained eye to detect the path of the water properly. This will help to locate the source of that leak before it spreads and becomes something more serious. You can avoid major roof problems if you have a roof maintenance plan, so making roof inspections a top priority will help you this year with your budget.

2. Inspect The Attic

Check your attic. A great way to prevent roof leaks is to be aware of whether or not you have any leaks happening in your attic. There are certain areas that roofing professionals will advise you to pay attention to and the attic is one of them because of the fact that it’s the 1st place that’s going to be damaged if there is a leak in the roof.

Attic ventilation should always be the first place that you inspect because you need to ensure that parts of the ventilation, such as the louvers, the Ridge vent, or the soffits, are never blocked. Blockages here can lead to dangerous moisture and build up, and that’s what you want to avoid.

3. Fix The Flashing

Check the flashing. Your roof flashing is also a common source of roof leaks. All of the metal or vinyl pieces of material that are used to connect the different parts of your roof together is the flashing that we’re talking about. So where your skylights, your chimneys, your vents, all the places where the wall and roof meet all connect.

You should check for holes or gaps in the flashing to make sure that it’s not bent, loose or damaged in any way. With a trained expert, you’ll be able to notice any issues with your flashing, issues that could easily escape you, as your eye is not as trained as a professional. Having somebody to take a look for you can ensure that you’ve checked it thoroughly enough.

4. Look At Drip Edge

Don’t forget the drip edge. The drip edge of your roof has an important function. It keeps water off of the roof and away from the roof fascia. When inspecting this area you have to make sure to locate any missing drip edges or damaged areas. If there is a drip edge missing, you’ll see a gap between the fascia board and the roof deck.

This is where the water is getting in. This will cause the wood to rot and it will find its way into your attics, interior walls and ceilings. It can also cause gaps for entry points for other critters and insects, which is something you also want to avoid to have your home not be housing for bugs. You need to make sure that your drip edge is safely in place and functioning correctly.

5. Guard The Gutters

Keep on top of your gutters. We talked about adding the drain and gutter guards and it’s important that you do this. Gutters and downspouts are important parts of your home. Without them, your roofing system is going to fall apart very quickly. Gutters are a way to ensure that you prevent water damage and roof leaks, and they should be part of your regular roof maintenance and inspection plan.

Cleaning these out at least twice a year is vital. Gutters can get clogged by dirt, leaves, and branches, so you need to make sure that these are regularly cleaned out so that the water isn’t backing up into your attic and causing a leak.

6. Trim Trees

Keep an eye on low hanging trees. If you want to make sure that you don’t have any roof leaks, then you need to make sure that there are no low hanging trees and branches that are brushing into your gutters and causing any issues in the first place. Low hanging trees can create shaded and damp areas, and these allow for more Moss and mold to grow than you expect.

They can damage the roof if it’s close enough, and you’ll have to worry about replacing that roofing material. Apart from that, there will be even more debris buildup in the gutters which improves the chances of gutter clogs and that’s something that you’re trying to avoid. When you trim these branches back or remove a problematic tree, you can increase the lifespan of your gutters, keep your roof healthier for longer and avoid any clogged drains.

Making sure that you prevent roof leaks is going to save you a headache: Now you know how to do it!