Spring has arrived—with its unpredictable moisture patterns, gale-force winds and leftover snowstorms. For New Jersey homeowners, that often means pesky roof leaks galore—in many common locations.
3 Common Roof Leak Locations – Prevention and Repair Tips:
Leaking Chimneys
Whether it’s due to aging caulk, cracked cement caps or flashing problems, chimneys are one of the biggest problem areas when it comes to leaks. Many (but not all) chimney leaks can be repaired by peeling off old, dried caulking and roof sealant from around the chimney’s base. Inspect each area of flashing for cracks or damage, and replace flashing as needed. To improve the integrity of your flashing, remember to use a high-quality, flashing cement to re-caulk the area (rather than traditional roofing cements and sealants). If you have a more invasive leak caused by cracked mortar joints, stone or brick displacement, consider calling your local roofer who will perform a thorough roof inspection. The goal is to examine and repair the damage.
Leaks in the Roof Field
For aging homes, it’s common for leaks to occur in the shingle field—whether it’s composed of slate, shake or composite shingles. If your roof is strong enough to walk around on, inspect the shingle field for missing granules, apparent cracks, displaced tiles or unfilled nail holes. Depending upon how severe the roof field leak is, you may be able to replace individual shingles, slates or tiles quickly and easily. If the entire roof is suffering from severe wear and tear, however, it may be safer—and more cost-effective—to replace it completely. Our roofing professionals can assess your home’s roof field, determine the extent of the damage and make an affordable recommendations for repair or replacement.
Leaks in Roof Valleys
When two portions of your roof intersect, the resulting line is called a “valley.” Valleys typically contain a type of metal flashing, but in some cases, shingles or tiles may just butt up against one another. Either way, valleys are a common source for roof leaks. If your roof valleys contain metal flashing, it’s possible that the shingles were improperly cut, allowing water to leak behind faulty shingle tips and seep into your attic or down your walls. Valley leaks tend to be more complex to repair than other types of damage, so it’s best to leave them up to the professionals.
While GRAVITY causes the majority of New Jersey roof leaks, wind-driven moisture may cause water to seep into areas that normally remain dry. If you’re struggling to identify the source of your leaky roof, a garden hose and a friend (an interior “spotter”) may help. However, if you are not comfortable climbing on your roof or assessing the source of your leak, don’t hesitate to call LGC Roofing, your New Jersey leaky-roof expert. LGC Roofing provides fast, affordable consultations and quotes, and our team can (1) help you prevent costly damage from spring winds and rain, and (2) provide budget-friendly replacement options for aging or severely damaged roofs.
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4 Comments
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Great tips on this blog. I’ve read quite a few of your posts, and I can name numerous clients that could have benefitted from knowing these recommendations prior to selling their home. Most roof issues revealed during home inspections could have been prevented had the home owner had regular maintenance and repairs from a qualified contractor.
Roxanne
Real Estate Agent recently posted..Kings Grant- Marlton NJ
3 Common… http://lgcroofingnj.com/roofingblog/roof-maintenance/3-common-roof-leak-locations-%e2%80%93-prevention-and-repair-tips/ #roofing
3 Common Roof Leak Locations – Prevention and Repair Tips http://t.co/CiLk3oK #roofing http://t.co/fulMimk
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