Whether a roof is two years old or twenty, a leaking roof can be a real challenge for homeowners as a small leak can quickly escalate into a big problem. In turn, this can lead to expensive damage caused not only to your roof, but your ceilings, walls and interiors too.
Identifying and fixing the problem with only take a matter of minutes and can help save you a great deal of time and money in the long run. However, as most homeowners know, repairing a roof leak can be a frustrating and time consuming task. As such, in this article we will look at what might cause a leaking roof, so you know what warning signs to look out for in your property.
1. Flashing
As discussed in one of our previous articles, roof flashings are fitted as a waterproofing measure to help maintain a watertight roof. Flashing – such as lead sheeting – prevents rainwater from running down the chimney or pouring through the roof into the house interior. Leaks can be caused by flashing which has:
- Eroded
- Become damaged
- Not be fitted properly/at all
As a result, flashing is usually the most common reason for roof leaks, so if your house is suffering from a leak, it’s worth carrying out preliminary checks on your roof flashing.
2. Loose or dislodged tiles
Extreme weather conditions – such as storms or heavy winds – can cause tiles to become damaged or dislodged, leaving gaps for water to pass through and cause problems such as leaks.
3. Chimney stacks
Collections of water in or around the chimney stack can lead to leaks. This can be caused by:
- Rainwater entering the top
- Cracks in the chimney crown
- Condensation inside the chimney caused by gas fumes
- Damaged chimney flashing
4. Skylights installed incorrectly
While skylights have become a popular interior design feature in many modern homes, if they are fitted incorrectly they can cause major problems. Fortunately, this problem is usually easy to spot – simply keep an eye out for any wet or damp spots around the skylights or constant dripping.
5. Improper installation
Cheap materials and poor workmanship can lead to roof leaks which, in turn, can cause major damage to your roof and home interior. As such, careful consideration must be made to your choice of builders and contractors to ensure you find a highly qualified, experienced professional who will carry out all work safely and efficiently.
Using a wealth of experience and state-of-the-art technology, here at Morgan Asphalte we offer a professional repairs service for customers across London. Whether you need your gutters cleaning or a leak in your roof repaired, all of our work is carried out to the highest standard so we can save you a great deal of money and hassle in the long term. For further information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert team today.