Guide to Roof Protection and Repair Tips

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What indicates holes in flashing?

Holes in Flashing

Rainwater will penetrate wherever there's an opening, and there are a lot more than the average person realizes. Check out the underside of the roof for wetness or mold around points of penetration (plumbing vents, chimneys), wherever different roof planes intersect (valleys) and near dormers. *These are signs you've got holes in your flashing or that the flashing was installed wrong.

   
How can I tell if my roofing material is defective?

Roof Material Problem

Once rainwater breaks into your house, it can be very elusive. You may not find water directly below a penetration point. Keep in mind that water may travel sideways before passing through a joint in the roof sheathing, and may travel in a horizontal joint before falling on the floor or ceiling. If this happens, there may be a problem in the roofing material.

   
How much water does a roof collect in a 2 inch rainfall.

Of Roofs and Rainfall

One very obvious source of moisture and/or water in your basement is rainwater. During a hard 2 "- rainfall, a 1,000-square-foot roof will collect about 250 gallons of water, dying to get into you nice dry basement. If you have four downspouts, that averages out to about 63 gallons (240 l) per downspout location. Check your roof thoroughly for leaks and repair them as soon as possible. The longer you let the problem occur, the worse the damage will be.

   
What are the most common sources of a leaky roof?

Common Sources of Roof Leaks

Every time it rains, your roof is under attack from liquid invaders from the sky, seeking to breech your home's defenses and steal your right to be warm and dry (well, that's one way of looking at it). Rainwater is quick to exploit any weakness in the integrity of your roofing defense system. Roofing materials can wear out, break, rust, blow off, or otherwise fail and give moisture the opening it needs to do its damage. Most commonly rainwater finds its way through the roof by way of a chimney, plumbing vent, exhaust fan or skylight, flashings when the sealant joints around these penetrations crack and fail. Look for potential chinks in your home's armor in the following areas:

• Old or defective shingles can curl and crack, allowing moisture intrusion. If old shingles aren't removed before new roof shingles are applied, it can reduce the life of the new roof.
• Chimney caps can crack allowing water inside the chimney.
• Gutter flashing can fail, forcing rainwater to set up camp between the roof and gutter.
• Flat or low pitched roofs have unique maintenance needs and are susceptible to water problems because they may not drain as quickly as roofs with a steeper pitch.

Flat roof drains or scuppers can clog and hold water on the roof, increasing the risk, not only of a leak, but of a possible collapse of the entire roof under the weight of the water. The price of dryness is eternal vigilance. Keep possible penetration points well sealed and maintained and you will have nothing to fear from raindrops falling on your roof. You don't need a guide to roof protection and repair to know that prevention is your best defense.

   
Where do I start looking for a leak.

Locating a Roof Leak

When it comes to leaking roofs, many homeowners are looking for leaks in all the wrong places. You no longer have to be one of them. The first and perhaps most obvious place to look for a roof leak is directly above the leak in a ceiling or exterior wall. Use a flashlight to inspect the attic floor over the leak while it's raining. If you see standing water, water stains, mold, wet insulation or other exposed insulation, you've found what you've been looking for.

   
What do I do about a leaky roof?

Preventing Roof Leak Damage

A leaky roof can be a pain forever, if not taken care of promptly. As soon as you spot water coming in, stains, or mold, take immediate action to limit damage. Hire a professional to nip it in the bud or go to the library and pick up a guide to roof protection and repair so you can handle it yourself. Locate the leak from inside and then take steps to control the damage until you can have a suitable outside inspection and repair done. Remember, your leaky roof won't get better with age and won't repair itself.

   
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