How To Prevent Roofing Leaks
Most people wait for leaks to develop before they begin checking and maintaining their roof. However, doing this opens up the possibility of water damage and mold and mildew growth. By taking proper steps to ensure that leaks don't develop in your roof, you can save yourself a great deal of time, money, and frustration with just a few basic activities.
Clean the Gutters
The gutters are your roof's sewage system; they drain away all the water to a safe distance away from your house. If your gutters are clogged with leaves and other debris, water can build up on your roof, or overflow the gutters and fall near the walls of your home, where it can seep into your foundation or basement. Installing gutter screens can help reduce the amount of debris that builds up in your gutter system.
Check the Flashing
The flashing is the metal or rubber skirting that covers any installation on your roof – they will be around vents, chimneys, or anything else that extends above the surface of your shingles. They are a prime area for leaks to develop, because they can come loose much easier than shingles can. You'll have to get up on your roof to see if your flashing has started to lift up or has become damaged, and have it repaired if this is the case.
Check the Shingles
Shingles can become damaged and worn over time due to weather exposure. If you notice a great deal of wear in a particular area, you should probably have the shingles replaced. Additionally, if you find a large amount of black granules in the gutters while you are cleaning, it may mean that your shingles are wearing away rapidly, which opens up the possibility of water seeping underneath. Replacing your shingles early can greatly reduce the chance of water damage occurring.
Soffit Vents
Ice dams can form on your roof when pockets of warm air in your attic causes snow to melt on your roof, which will then refreeze once they flow away from the pocket, creating ice dams which can prevent water from flowing off of your roof. Having soffit vents installed in your roof will allow for cold air to circulate from the soffits (the slight overhang that your roof has over the walls of your home) up through your roof, preventing ice dams from occurring and reducing the chance of a leak occurring during the spring thaw.
To learn more, contact a roofing company like Skerlec Contracting.