Most people don’t think about roof repairs until it’s too late.
If you see signs of water leaks into your home, it’s probably your roof. A leaky roof will rapidly incur significant expenses for the homeowner, so don’t wait. If your dormers are damp or your flashing has failed, it’s time to call a shingle specialist to get the job done right.
Leaks are sneaky
Before a homeowner sees actual water, other less obvious signs are there. Savvy homeowners know that a periodic roof maintenance inspection can protect their investment by identifying and stopping leaks before structural damage occurs. This is particularly true after a storm brings heavy rain, snow, or high winds.
What are the warning signs of a leaky roof?
The obvious indicator is water pouring in; however, that sneaky leak has been quietly causing untold damage before you noticed the waterfall in the family room.
Here are some telltale signs that your roof needs repairs:
- Water stains on the interior ceilings, walls, and around windows.
- Cracked, discolored, or missing caulking around sliders, dormers, skylights, and windows.
- You may smell rotting wood or mold.
- Mushy or damp interior walls and ceilings.
- Frosty nails in your attic during cold weather.
- Degraded, soggy or saturated insulation, sheathing, or framing.
- Visible mold.
- Degraded, rusty, or missing flashing leaves lots of open area for water to seep in.
So, what’s the rush?
Once water has gained entry through the roof, moisture immediately starts to compromise the entire structure. Winter ice dams are guaranteed to cause year-round leaks under the shingles and soffits, leading to interior damage. Water damage can be both extensive and expensive; catching it early pays off. Even if you plan to replace your roof next year, repairing leaks cannot wait.
What causes a leaky roof?
Generally, roofs have a life-expectancy of 25-50 years. There are several instances in which a roof can become compromised and fail to last as long as it should.
- Mechanical damage: Obvious events can cause obvious damage to a roof; storms often cause trees to fall and damage houses, especially roofs.
- Vulnerable areas: Penetrations in the roof allow rainwater to enter your house. Leaks appear around any type of openings: vents, chimneys, dormers, even tiny holes from satellite dishes or aerial antennas. Soffits are notoriously difficult to protect from water. They should be inspected and repaired by a professional.
- Leaky roofs cause major damage to windows and siding once water gets behind siding and damages the frame before working its way into the interior.
The Big Fix
Nick Tracey Roofing can help with a free consultation, followed by quick and competitively-priced interventions to protect your home. No matter the type of roof, Nick and his crew have a reputation for quality workmanship and customer satisfaction.
The Waterproof Roof
Every crevice and joint on your roof presents an opportunity for water to seep in. Flashing is applied to redirect water around vulnerable areas. For every type of waterproofing application, there is a different type of flashing, each with its own best method of installation. Leave it to the pros!
While it’s tempting to make minor repairs with caulk or another commercially-available roof sealant, the average homeowner doesn’t have the experience to ensure the leak has been completely eradicated. For complete resolution of your water problem, contact an expert roofer like Nick Tracey who can assess and determine the best repair method. Too often a homeowner’s DIY repair is ineffective and allows further damage to occur. A reputable roofer like Nick Tracey is best qualified to advise the homeowner of mitigation measures: while sealants and silicone coatings can be useful, they should be used sparingly. New shingles, or a new roof altogether, should be considered if there is extensive damage. Leave your roof to the seasoned professionals here at Nick Tracy Roofing
