16 Oct A Little Water Goes A Long Way
Posted at 18:09h
in How To
A little water can go a long way to create some serious damage. Especially after all the rain we have had this past summer, and with the past two hurricanes. Sometimes, the water damage goes well beyond what you can see. In fact, even minor roofing leaks can create a build-up of moisture which can develop into a mold and mildew – which can be hazardous to your health.
Please do not underestimate the damage which may be caused by a roofing leak. Check it out or call a local roofing company to offer a professional roof evaluation.
If you are going to inspect the roof leak yourself, look for these 5 common things:
1. Check the flashing around your roofing system and shingles.
What is flashing? It is the thin metal which covers up seams where different sections of your roof come together. Inspect the wall flashing, chimney flashing or around other areas to look for damaged or even corroded areas which may be allowing water and moisture to get into your home. Roofing materials and the quality used can be a significant cause for problems such as leaks in the event inferior and lesser rated materials are used by roofing contractors.
2. Skylights are great, but they are prone to leak.
We know, we know. We love our skylights too, but they are prone to leaks in many cases. Check them and see how the sealant looks around the perimeter.
3. Damaged or missing shingles.
High winds have been sweeping through the Upstate pretty fiercely this past summer, and with the hurricanes we have had the past couple of months. In fact, you may have noticed some missing shingles on your roof. You want to be sure to have those roofing tabs replaced and check for other damaged areas on your roof as well. Look for premature cracking, nail pops, or sun blisters, and consider having a roofing company give you an estimate for replacement, work with your insurance company or give you a quote for a roof tune-up.
4. Check that chimney! Neither you or Santa want any issues this winter.
Chimneys tend to collect water from other sections of your roof, which can drain down into the walls of your chimney. Often, it only takes small cracks in the flashings or shingles to create a leak. Re-flashing the chimney on your roof is something you may want to consider if you are having issues.
5. Plumbing boots and other penetrations.
You know those rather ugly white PVC pipes protruding out of your roof? Yeah, those. They can cause problems too if not maintained. Plumbing pipes are secured to the roof using a rubber sheathing and after years of exposure to the rain, heat, and other elements, can begin to crack. Check the rubber around the pipes or other penetrations and inspect the caulking around them to see if you may need to reseal them.
If you feel moisture or smell mildew in your home, you need to have the assurance that the source is found and fixed! These are not always caused by a roof leak. In fact, plumbing leaks are equally responsible.
However, if you are unsure as to where the water is coming from, we can help you by at least ruling out the roof and helping you determine your next step in getting the leak resolved and the damage repaired.
Reeves Construction has been repairing roof leak challenges for decades and we have experience handling shingle, tile, metal, modified, urethane, TPO and EPDM rubber systems. Whenever we repair roofs, we will use compatible materials and match your roof as close as possible. If we feel that a repair may make matters worse, we will go over other options with you and see what the best course of action may be for you! Give us a call at 866-592-3632 or send us a message here to set up an appointment.