Most Common Causes of Roof Leaks

Most Common Causes of Roof Leaks

Roof leaks are certainly one of the worst nightmares for homeowners. It can cause serious damage to multiple areas of your home such as the attic, or ceilings and walls. The water from the roof leak can cause mold to form in your home, which can make the homeowner and their family sick.

Let's dive into the most common causes of roof leaks and how to find their origins.

Common Causes of Roof Leak

The most common causes of roof leaks include:

Broken shingles

Broken or missing shingles, which can be caused by hail damage, high winds, or heavy rains. Holes in your roof could cause serious leaks for the homeowner. If a tv antenna for instance was removed, and a hole was left, that could cause a leak in the roof. If a tree branch fell and formed a hole in a homeowner's roof this could also cause a serious problem and leak for the homeowner.

Old Shingles

An old roof in need of replacing can cause roof leaks due to the fact that shingles weaken over time. The weakened shingles can be caused by time, hail, excessive moisture, wind storms, and exposure to sunlight.

Improper Roof Installation

Improper installation on the homeowner's roof may cause roof leaks. If flashing (strips of metal that seals roof transitions under shingles) is not installed properly, a leak could occur. A number of other problems could be caused by improper installation if an inexperienced, or dishonest contractor cutting corners installed the previous roof.

Clogged Gutters

Can clogged gutters cause ceiling leaks? Absolutely! Clogged gutters can cause a roof to leak since water does not flow properly if gutters are clogged. Gutters are meant to help the flow of water, if the gutters are clogged and not performing this task it is possible for water to become stagnant and therefore soak through the roof or the fascia board like on the above picture.

Damage Caused by Roof Leaks

Roof leaks can cause serious problems for homeowners' and damage their roofs. You could have a leak in your roof and not notice it for a while, leading to costly repairs and even posing health risks to occupants.

Some common type of damage caused by roof leaks include:

  • Mold and mildew growth
  • Insulation damage
  • Electrical hazards
  • Structural damage

All of these issues in turn cause a decrease in property value as extensive and expensive repairs are often required in those cases. To minimize the damage caused by roof leaks, it's crucial to conduct regular roof inspections and address issues promptly.

How to Find a Roof Leak

Sings of a roof leak

Some common signs of a possible roof leak are:

  • Mold running down the siding of the exterior of your home
  • Water spots on the ceiling
  • Wet roof decking inside your attic.

How to find the origin of the leak

If you see any of the above signs, you should immediately inspect your home to locate the source of the problem. Here's how to help you find a roof leak:

  1. Inspect the attic
  2. Examine the roof
  3. Check for damaged seals
  4. Replicate the leak by running water above the area
  5. Consult professionals

If you have a leak in your home or think you may have a leak, schedule a free drone inspection with Northpoint Roofing Systems today to see what damage there is on your roof. It is possible that your roof needs to be replaced and here at Northpoint we never cut corners and always do our due diligence when installing a new roof for our customers. Feel free to call 678-345-1711 to schedule your free drone inspection today!