What Can Cause Your Roof to Leak?

If a happy home had an arch-nemesis, it would be a roof leak. You rely on your roof so much without ever really thinking about it—that is, until water starts dripping down onto your head while you’re on your couch, and then it becomes abundantly clear that something is wrong. There are many things that can cause your roof to leak, such as:

Damaged or Missing Shingles

Strong wind, heavy rain, and hail can cause damage to your shingles, or even knock them completely off your roof. After a heavy storm passes, it can be helpful to take a quick look at your roof—either from out of an upper-story window or from the top of a ladder—just to see if any shingles are broken or missing. That way, if damage has been done, you can take appropriate action.   

Holes in Your Roof

Whether large or small, a hole in your roofing system can be detrimental to performance. Some holes have more conspicuous causes, such as a large tree branch falling onto your roof, while others are more discrete, such as screws being drilled too deep during the installation of a satellite dish or solar panel.

Damaged Flashing

Flashing is the thin strip of metal located underneath your shingles that seals the seams in the transitions of your roof. Over time, flashing can slip out of place or the caulking can dry up and crack, causing an entry point for water.

The Age of the Roof

Decades of harsh weather and prolonged sunlight exposure can cause roofing materials to break down. While some metal roofs have been shown to last for hundreds of years, even high-quality roofing systems that are correctly installed and properly cared for will eventually succumb to the forces of Mother Nature and Father Time.

Clogged Gutters

When gutters become clogged with leaves, twigs, pine needles, and other debris, it slows down or completely stops the flow of rainwater away from your home. And when rainwater pools in your gutters, or even worse, backs up onto your roof itself, it has a tendency to find its way inside.

If you’ve noticed water damage inside your home that appears to be coming from the attic or the roof, don’t delay—call Dreamstyle Roofing today. Our roofing specialists can perform a thorough roof inspection to determine the cause of the leak and will recommend the most appropriate solution for you.