Roofs are the unsung heroes of your home. They protect you from the elements and make sure that your homestay is dry and warm, no matter how inclement the weather may be. But when they’re not working properly, they can cause some serious damage to your home—and your wallet.
That’s why it’s so important to keep an eye on your roof and make sure it’s in good shape before it becomes a problem.
If you suspect your roof is leaking, here are four common causes of roof leaks that might help you figure out what’s going on:
1) The Age of Your Roof
The age of your roof can play a big role in determining whether or not it’s leaking. The older a roof is, the more likely it is to develop leaks.
The most common cause of leaks in roofs that have been around for decades is wear and tear from normal use. When you’ve got an older roof, it’s going to show some wear and tear—and if you don’t take care of those issues, they’re going to turn into leaks!
If you are still unsure of the cause of your roof’s leaks, then it’s always best to consult a professional Harlingen roofing contractor. They will be able to identify the problem quickly and efficiently and provide you with an estimate for repairs.
2) Improper Flashing
Flashing is an essential part of roof construction, and it’s also one of the most common causes of roof leaks. Flashing prevents water from getting behind the shingles and into your house. When flashing isn’t installed properly, it becomes dislodged or cracked and allows water to leak through.
If you have a leak in your roof, check for gaps where flashing has been applied—usually around chimneys, vents, valleys, and skylights. Also, look for cracks on top of sheathing boards or plywood sheets. If you find any gaps or cracks in your roof, call a Harlingen roofing company right away to fix the problem before it becomes worse!
3) Damaged/Loose Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roof to have leaks, and they can be caused by a variety of things. If your shingles are damaged or loose, they could be letting in water, or they could be blowing off in high winds. Both of these scenarios can cause damage to your home and may also be signs that you need to replace some of your shingles.
If you’ve noticed that your shingles appear to have been damaged or are loose, it’s time to take action! If you have missing shingles, this is an immediate safety concern and should be addressed immediately. If any shingle is missing and exposing your roof decking, this is also an emergency situation because exposed decking can lead to structural damage.
For smaller issues, such as loose-fitting shingles or cracked ones, it’s best to call a Harlingen roofer immediately so they can assess the problem and make repairs as needed before any further damage occurs.
4) It’s Not Your Roof
If you’ve been having trouble with leaks in your home, it’s always a good idea to start by looking at the roof. But it’s also important to make sure that you aren’t missing anything else—because sometimes the problem doesn’t lie with the roof at all.
One common cause of leaks is improperly installed flashing. Flashing is a piece of metal or plastic used to seal the joints between two different materials on your roofs, such as shingles and decking boards. If the flashing isn’t properly installed, water can get into your home through cracks in this area.
Another cause of leaks might be faulty gutters or downspouts. These are designed to guide rainwater away from your house and prevent damage from pooling water around its foundation. If they aren’t working properly, water can accumulate in these areas and cause problems, including rotting wood fascia boards and rot around windowsills.
It may also be possible that your home has an underlying structural problem that could be causing leak damage without showing up anywhere else on your property—such as cracked foundation walls or leaking pipes under a bathroom sink cabinet.
We Are Ready to Help You
At McAllen Valley Roofing Co., we can inspect your Harlingen home and help you determine whether your leak is coming from an exterior source or an interior problem. Give us a call at 956-431-0300 or send us an email.