Finding the source of a leak can be difficult, as this does not often drip in a straight line. Worse, homeowners tend to find out about leaks only when it’s too late.
Fortunately, leaks are relatively predictable: there are certain areas where leaks are more common and can be easily spotted. There’s a good chance that your roof may still be under warranty, so before you even consider getting a roof replacement or something similar in scale, check with a roofing contractor in Federal Way first.
We can’t stress enough the importance of hiring professionals for thorough inspection, repairs, and replacement. Professional roofers are trained for exactly these projects, having the proper tools, safety gear, and their own insurance. It’s worth mentioning that you might inadvertently void your warranties by performing repairs yourself.
Having said that, let Tedrick’s Roofing discuss some common areas where roof leaks can occur:
- Roof plane. This includes the shingles, the roof deck, and everything in between. Use binoculars to inspect your roof. Keep an eye out for broken, missing, or rotten shingles as well as for damage from impact. Impact damage is typically caused by something heavy, like large hail stones, debris from an adjacent taller structure, or large fallen branches. One or two shingles are easily replaced, but large-scale replacements or repairs will obviously require Federal Way roofing professionals.
- Roof edges. Flashing, i.e. the metal strips under shingles and roof joints that form part of the water barrier, could crack from exposure to the elements and will need to be replaced. Ice dams are ice ridges that form on roof edges, preventing snow from draining off. They grow bigger as the runoff refreezes. You can have specialized gutter guards with heaters installed if this is a persistent problem.
- This is the part where two roof planes intersect. Water tends to get funneled in these parts, and where seals are improperly installed or damaged, leaks are likely to happen.
- Assuming that you’ve kept your gutters clog-free and properly maintained, high amounts of water can splash back under the shingles, onto your Kent roofing deck, and into the house. If this is the case and it is a persistent problem, you will need wider gutters. It is also a good idea to invest in gutter guards to prevent potential clogging.
Prevent leaks in your home by observing these areas closely. If you notice any of these problems, call Tedrick’s Roofing now at (206) 824-3440 or use our contact form.