Any roof can leak, no matter what it’s made out of, how expensive the house is, or where it’s located. With that being the case, it’s important to know how to repair a roof leak – or have someone you can call to do the job for you. Another thing that you should know is where your roof is most likely to leak so that you can check those places first if there seems to be a problem with water getting into your house. When you have a shingle roof, the areas that can leak can be almost endless. There are always chances that water is getting in under the shingles, especially if your roof is an older one, so take a good look at your shingles and keep your roof repaired.
Another place where leaks are quite common is a roof valley. This is usually where one roofline meets another, and is generally seen around porches or garages. Anywhere that water collects and runs along the roof is a place that leaks can occur, especially if these valleys are clogged with leaves and other debris. That can back up the water and allow it to sit, at which time it will try to find a way down – and sometimes cause a leak. Head wall flashings and wall step flashings are other common places for leaks.
If you have a fireplace, your chimney could be the source of the leak. Chimneys have a lot of flashing around them, and if all of it isn’t put in just right and sealed correctly the chance of a leak is very high. If you’re having problems with a leaky roof, take the time to check around your chimney. While you’re on the roof looking at the chimney, take a good look at the plumbing vents and other vents that come through your roof. These have flashing around them, as well, and if it’s damaged that could allow water to get inside your home.
These flashings can be fixed or repaired quite easily. If you live in areas where there are hurricanes or other bad storms with wind and rain, you can have a great roof and still get a leak because the wind is driving the water up under the shingles. Something similar happens to people in very cold country when ice forms on their roofs, dams up the water, and allows it to work its way under the shingles. Preventative maintenance on your roof and fixing any problems as soon as possible are the keys to leak prevention and correction.