Sunday, September 6, 2009

Common Reasons Behind A Leaking Roof

By Scott Rodgers

Surprisingly, the sun does more damage to a roof than wind or rain. The constant bombardment of the sun's rays works to make shingles brittle over time. The sun also softens the tar that binds shingles together, which makes them susceptible to warping. Due to warping and cracking, rainwater can penetrate through the interlocking system of shingles.

After sun, rain and strong winds are the most common causes of roof leaks. Strong winds can shift the roof shingles from their place, can affect the flashing thus making space for water to seep inside.

Apart from the weather conditions, if a roof is not properly installed, it will lead to troubles and that too very early. With the first rainfall or wind storm, you will notice some signs and it will tell you about the quality of work done by your roofing contractors.

The most affected area due to improper installation and poor workmanship is the roof valley. It is the area between two sections of a pitched roof. You can eliminate the leaks here by installing metal flashing through out the valley length. Roof installation requires skilled hands therefore it is always recommended to go for a professional roofer only.

Roof ridges are the second most leak prone areas. Here the reason is not improper installation but these areas are very easily affected by the sun and the wind.

Many a times home owners walk on their roof with their rough and heavy boots without knowing that how damaging it can be for the roof. First of all these boots will leave patches on the roof surface and secondly the undue pressure on the shingles can destroy their shape. It can also weaken the roof joints.

To keep your roof in a good condition for long, you have to maintain it properly. Periodical inspections are very necessary for the roofs. Through this you can identify small defects and can get them fixed before they become a real issue. Some common things to check for while inspection are: loose, worn out or missing shingles, valleys, vents, chimneys etc as these are the most probable areas for leaks.

Besides all the above factors, one important factor is the age. With time, roofs start deteriorating as each one has a life span after which they have to be replaced. But it is very important to look after them in that life span so that they can work efficiently without causing any troubles for us.

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