Roof Water Damage: Causes, Solutions, and Prevention

No one wants to think about the roof water damage, but it’s always better to prepare for the worst.

That way, if you do experience the damage, you’ll be able to act quickly and minimize the loss of property. Whether caused by flooding or by snowmelt run-off, roof water damage is almost never desirable.

In fact, water damage from a leaky roof can go beyond the walls of your home to ruin your personal possessions and furniture.

Major Causes of Roof Water Damage

There are a lot of reasons why your roof might be leaking.

The good news is that many types of water damage can often be prevented with proper maintenance and regular inspections. But if you do suffer from roof leak, it’s important to understand the causes so you can remedy them ASAP.

Here are some of the major causes of water damage that can help you know how to find a roof leak.

Rainwater Runoff

If you live in an area where it rains frequently, you might be familiar with the damage that rainwater runoff can cause. The good news is that this type of water damage can often be prevented by hiring a professional to repair or install gutters.

However, if your gutters are not repaired quickly enough after heavy rainfall, they might cause roof leaks.

Ice Dams

If you live in areas where you get a lot of snowfall, it’s important to take proactive steps to prevent ice dams. Ice dams form when warm air creates meltwater on the roof, which turns to ice at the edge of the roof.

As more and more layers accumulate, they create major pressure on your roof, which can cause leaks that may result in ceiling or wall water damage.

Pressure from Inside

Perhaps the most difficult type of water damage to prevent is that which results from a pressure-related issue inside your home.

For example, if you have a burst pipe, your ceiling or walls might suffer from this type of water damage.  In addition, it could be accompanied by seepage along the edges of the floorboards.

This could be caused either by misuse or malfunctioning appliances that put too much pressure on your plumbing system.

Leaks Due to Poor Installation

Unfortunately, there are some types of roof water damage that can’t be prevented no matter what you do because they’re caused by faulty installation in the first place.

Water damage due to poor installation is often related directly to shoddy workmanship. However, it’s also possible that your roof was not compatible with the rest of your home in the first place.

For example, if you have an older roof installed on a newly built home, there might be gaps between sections or poorly sealed seams that let water seep through.

Over time, these gaps can widen and create major damage to the interior of your home.

Water Damage caused by Leaks

 

If you have a leak in your roof, that means that it’s time to call a contractor immediately. If you wait too long, you run the risk of causing permanent damage to your belongings.

And that for sure is bad news no one wants.

If you see any of these dangers of leaking lurking over your house, immediately reach out to our experts and contact us here.

Roof Leak Solutions

Once you understand the causes of roof water damage, it’s time to discuss roof leak solutions.

Now, your roof is one of the most important elements of your home. It protects your entire dwelling from rain and snow, as well as other environmental hazards such as high winds and UV rays.

With that in mind, it’s crucial that you do everything in your power to prevent damage.

Check for Damage After Storms

It can be difficult to check for roof water damage if you live in an area where storms are frequent.  This is why many homeowners choose to hire roofing contractors during the spring months when snow-melting runs are at their peak.

Snowmelt can also cause a lot of damage depending on how long the water sits on the roof.  Therefore, hiring a professional contractor will help ensure that your home doesn’t sustain any major leaks.

Clean Gutters and Downspouts

If you’re already suffering from roof damage caused by clogged gutters or faulty downspouts, it’s time for a maintenance checkup.

There are a few warning signs that indicate your gutters need cleaning.

If you notice any of the following, it’s time to call a roofing contractor immediately:

• Soggy or damaged areas on your lawn
• Water standing around the exterior of your home after rainfall
• Stains on the exterior walls near elements such as gable ends and below downspouts
• A general decline in property value from water damage

In most cases, faulty gutters can be repaired or replaced. However, they should never be ignored because minor problems with them can snowball into major problems with your roof.

Inspect Your Roof Regularly

In addition, make sure to inspect your roof at least once a year during the spring months.  This will give you a chance to look for stains or other damage before they become major problems.

Have Repairs Done by Professionals

If you notice any of the following types of roof water damage, you need to call your contractor immediately for roof leak repair:

• Missing shingles
• Dark spots on your ceiling or walls that appear after rainfall
• The water around the exterior of your home after rainfall
• Mold or mildew growth, particularly in hidden areas such as under shaded overhangs and near vents and fireplaces

Leaks inside your home during storms or rain

You should also consider calling an emergency contractor if you suspect flooding in your crawlspace. If mold has developed, it can quickly spread throughout your entire residence, which makes it incredibly difficult – not to mention expensive – to get rid of.

A trained team of emergency plumbers will be able to locate the source of your water damage and stop it immediately, allowing you to prevent further damage.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at how you can prevent roof damage from ever occurring in the first place.

Roofing Solutions for Water Damage

Looking for instant solutions can help you avoid roof water damage. Here we have highlighted some temporary and permanent solutions to look for.

Prevention Roof Coatings

Roof flashings are some of the most vulnerable areas on your home, which is why it’s critical that they receive extra protection.

A liquid rubber coating known as Henry’s FlashGuard can protect these areas from leaks while also protecting them from UV rays.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are an inexpensive way to repair or replace your roof, which makes them perfect for first-time homeowners.

However, they can be vulnerable to cracking, especially if your local climate is prone to hail storms. If you’re concerned about any visible damage on asphalt shingles, call your contractor for an inspection.

Wood Shingles

Wooden shingles are beautiful additions to homes in wooded areas, but they must be replaced after wind or ice damage.

The process of re-roofing with wooden shake shingles should only be done by professionals who have experience working with them – if done incorrectly, the new roof will fail and leak.

Tile

Tile roofs are some of the most durable on the market, which means it takes serious weather conditions for them to sustain damage. However, tree branches that fall onto these roofs can break tiles.

If you live in an area where trees are common around your home, make sure to inspect for broken tiles after wind storms.

Flashing

Flashing is designed to protect areas that join different types of roofs together, but it can easily become damaged.

Look for signs of damage along the lines where other materials come together on the exterior of your home, especially if there have been heavy storms or high winds.

While some flashing damage can be repaired, major cracks and tears should be handled by a roofing contractor.

Roof Water Damage Prevention Methods

While many roof water damage prevention methods involve repairing or replacing damaged parts, there are additional preventive measures you can take as well.

For example:

Hire a roofing contractor to inspect your roof twice per year – once during the spring months and again in autumn. Energy-roofing is the place for the solutions to your leaking roof concerns.

We offer the following services:

• check your roof before winter storms hit
• Repair minor leaks immediately after they happen to prevent more serious damage that could lead to costly repairs or replacement
• Install gutters on downspouts that connect directly to the ground, which will allow rainwater to be diverted away from your roof
• Install a downspout splash block that will prevent water from pooling around the base of your home
• Waterproofing your entire rooftop. It offers the best protection against leaks because you’ll be covering all vulnerable areas at once.

Roof Water Damage Repair

If your roof sustains water damage, it’s important not to delay roof leak repair and look for roof leak solutions and prevention.

Rapid rainwater leaks can cause major problems for homes, including mold growth and dangerous drops in indoor air quality.

The first and probably the last step should be contacting a qualified roof expert.