A leaking roof can cause internal damage to your home. Unsightly stains on ceilings and water damage to the roof joists can result in a hefty maintenance bill. The best course of action is to take precautions and prevent leaks in your roof before they occur.
What Is the Most Common Cause of Roof Leaks?
Roof leaks can be caused by wear-and-tear, weather damage, or gaps in the installation. The type of roofing materials and quality of ridge capping may also play a part in a leaking roof. Ultimately, there is a gap somewhere where water is dripping into the structure of the roof.
Here are the most common causes of roof leaks for homes in Australia.
1. Poor Installation
If your roof is not installed properly, roof leaks may occur. Your roof installation experts should make sure that the roof is watertight and that there are no gaps in the flashing or the roof caps.
Poor installation will ultimately lead to a leaking roof. It may not be obvious that there is a leak straight away, but eventually, signs of a leak will appear. Check with your installation expert that you are happy with the work they have provided, being clear on the warranty you have.
2. Wear-and-Tear
An older roof will be prone to roof leaks. If your home is located in an area that suffers from harsh weather conditions, wear-and-tear will occur over the years.
To rectify this problem, regular maintenance should be completed annually to spot-check your roof. Finding and fixing a small problem before it turns into a significant problem will help reduce the issues caused by wear and tear. You should also spot missing or damaged shingles in the roof and replace them as soon as possible.
However, you should replace your roof before serious yet natural wear-and-tear damage occurs.
3. Loft Condensation
If there is poor ventilation in your loft, condensation may cause problems for you. Condensation will result in a build-up of moisture that will subsequently drip down and cause a roof leak. This will occur in your loft space as it is the highest point of your home.
To mitigate against condensation in your loft, install roof ventilation so that the moisture can escape from your loft space. Utilising roof insulation is also a good way to keep the loft at a consistent temperature.
4. Gutter Problems
Your gutters provide an escape route for rainwater and leaf debris, clearing away your roof and providing a passage away from your house. However, if your gutters are blocked, the water will remain there and start to cause you problems across exterior walls.
A clogged gutter can be blocked with debris and result in water remaining in the gutter pipe. As more water flows from the roof, the gutters will overflow and drench your roof and walls in moisture, causing water stains. Eventually, this will cause issues such as mould to occur inside of your home.
To prevent this from happening, clearing and checking your gutters regularly is important. Specifically, after a storm where debris may fly in the air, check that your gutters are clear for rainfall.
What Should I Do If My Roof Is Leaking?
A leaking roof needs immediate attention. The longer the leak occurs, the more damage will be done to your home. The structure of the roof may become water damaged, and the ceilings and walls inside may be stained.
Call a professional straightaway if a leak is spotted before it hits the roof cavity. If you can, investigate where the roof leak is coming from yourself. Is the leak in the roof due to blocked gutters, a missing shingle, or split roof flashing? An issue such as blocked gutters could be fixed quickly.
4 Tips to Prevent a Leaking Roof
Prevention is so much better than fixing a leak in roof spaces. Here are the top tips to prevent a leaking roof in your home.
1. Ventilate Your Loft
To beat condensation, ensure your loft is adequately ventilated. A loft vent or an attic window could be installed to reduce the amount of condensation collecting in the loft space. For a fully ventilated loft, install a Rapid Ridge roof by Evo Build.
The Rapid Ridge provides a cooling system to allow heat to escape from the loft, keeping your home cool and reducing condensation significantly.
2. Waterproof Barriers
Provide a waterproof barrier in the vulnerable spaces where roof leaking is prevalent. For example, waterproof barriers may be installed around the vents, eaves, dormers, and skylights.
A waterproof barrier increases the level of protection your roof possesses from acquiring roof leaks. You will provide your roof with a layer of protection that can reduce the chance of leaks occurring.
3. Consider Your Materials
What materials are used on your roof? Do you have concrete roof tiles, a metal roof, or a tiled roof? The materials used on your roof may determine how vulnerable your home is to roof leaks.
Concrete roofs or metal roofs may be tougher and less vulnerable to leaks, although a flat roof may gather water puddles and cause issues there. Consult what roof materials and slopes are best for your home with an experienced roofing contractor and professional roofing company.
4. Unclog Gutters
Keep your gutters free from debris and other blockages by investigating your gutters regularly. Also, check for cracks in your guttering and whether any joints have come away from the wall.
You should be able to maintain this prevention method yourself instead of employing roofing professionals.
Contact Evo Build to Install a Rapid Ridge Today!
Leaking roofs and roof repair bills are a thing of the past once you have installed a new Rapid Ridge roof by Evo Build! Leaking roof repairs can cost a fortune, so prevent a leaky roof with a new, revolutionary Rapid Ridge roof.
The Rapid Ridge roof aids effective ventilation. This not only cools your home and reduces cool energy costs, but also prevents leaking roofs. Get in touch with an Evo Build expert today for your Rapid ridge quote!