My Roof Has A Small Leak

The rubber gasket that surrounds the vent pipe could be rotted.

My roof has a small leak.

If you have a leaky roof you d better fix it immediately even if it doesn t bother you much or you re getting a new roof next year. So let s look at the ten of the most common culprits in causing your roof to leak and what you can and should do about them other than recruiting a bucket brigade. Other sources of potential leaks in the home include plumbing roof scuppers roof drains hvac and condensation. And just one rusted out nail can cause your roof to leak every time it rains.

Ice dams are generally fixed by a crew that uses steam to melt away the ice buildup allowing melting snow to drain off the roof rather than back up under shingles. Roof nail leaks can happen when roof nails have been loosened slightly from high winds or have simply pulled out over time. Check plumbing vent boots and roof vents if water is entering from that area to cause the leaking roof. If the leaking appears to be caused by ice buildup on the edges of the roof this likely will need to be handled by a professional ice removal crew.

Roof leaks are typically just signs of a much larger problem. 14 ways to cover a hideous ceiling. Something that starts as a small problem a roof leak can lead to big damage and even bigger headaches. Even over a short time small leaks can lead to big problems such as mold rotted framing and sheathing destroyed insulation and damaged ceilings.

If you have a leaky roof you d better fix it immediately even if it doesn t bother you much or you re getting a new roof next year. If you don t want to wait for rain to look for the leak try bringing the garden hose up on the roof. A roof leak is extremely aggravating. Confirm that the source of the water on the inside of the home is a result of a roof leak and not due to a problem associated with other components of the home.

If your roof is fewer than 15 years old it can probably be spot repaired instead of requiring a total replacement. It can cause water damage to your ceilings and walls mold in your home s insulation or rotting rafters and roof sheathing. Don t go crazy with the water. Be sure to start small.

Roof leaks can ruin insulation become a breeding ground for black mold damage interior ceilings and walls and rot the wooden framing. Look for cracks in the base of flexible rubber flashing or broken seams in metal varieties of vent pipe flashing. Run the water over the place where you think the leak might be located. Have a helper stationed in the attic with a flashlight looking for moisture.

These nails will eventually rust. If shingles get lifted or torn from high winds the damaged shingle exposes nails holding the shingle below it.