How to Prevent a Leaky Roof

If you’re a homeowner, then you’ve no doubt come to depend heavily on your roof to keep your house – and your family – shielded from the often harsh elements of nature. A strong, solid roof is sure to keep you warm and dry inside, but a leaky roof can cause problems that are almost guaranteed to be costly and aggravating. For this reason, it’s imperative that you take the necessary steps to avoid having to deal with the unfortunate aftermath of a leaky roof. A.W. Ross is the controller of Lundberg Roofing, Windows & Siding, a company that has been proudly serving Charlotte, North Carolina since 1979, and he offers the following tips on how to go about preventing roof leaks:

Make sure that your pipe collars are in good shape
Your vent pipe collars are the collars surrounding the plumbing pipes that protrude through the roof’s surface. Pipe collars have the ability to split or simply deteriorate over time. Therefore, to avoid leaks, you’ll want to inspect your pipe collars every so often to ensure that they don’t contain any cracks or signs of wear and tear. If you do happen to spot a problem, then contact a roofing professional who can evaluate the problem, and fix it as necessary. While caulking the exposed areas of your pipe collars can sometimes serve as a temporary fix, it’s best to have the matter tended to on a more thoroughly to avoid leaks in the near or even distant future.

Be sure your flashing is intact
Your roof flashing is the metal lining that is installed in roof joints to seal up any breaks in the roofline and prevent leaks in the process. Flashing can commonly be found around the chimney, vents, and other items that might protrude from the roof. When installed correctly, flashing can use the simple force of gravity to direct any incoming water towards the ground and out of harm’s way. Therefore, if you’re looking to avoid leaks, then you’ll need to make certain that your flashing is properly intact and free of rust or other such signs of deterioration. If you’re not confident in your ability to detect this problem on your own, then contact a roofing professional to inspect your flashing, especially if your roof is older.

Eliminate rooftop debris
The fact that your roof sits at the top of your house means that it is first in the line of fire for catching natural and wildlife-related debris. Over time, such debris can accumulate and cause problems such as water pooling during extended periods of inclement weather – which, in turn, can result in a destructive household leak. To avoid this problem, make a point of clearing waste off of your rooftop as necessary.

Keep your gutters clean
Your gutters are the channels that work by collecting water that is shed by the roof and diverting it towards an exterior drain to keep it away from the foundation of the house. If you’re looking to avoid a leaky roof, keep your gutters clean. When gutters get clogged with fallen leaves and other such debris, they can cause water to backflow up to the roof and stand there, thereby putting the roof – and the home - at risk for a leak. If you can’t reach your gutters to clean them properly, then consider hiring a gutter cleaning service to perform regular maintenance; the cost of doing so will be a lot less expensive than paying to clean up the aftermath of a major roof leak.

Take action once you do discover a leak
Dealing with a one-time roof leak is bad enough. So as soon as you become aware of a leak, call in a professional to inspect your roof so that he can determine the cause and make the necessary repairs to prevent it from happening again. Remember, a roofing problem that is significant enough to cause a leak is one that is not likely to simply go away on its own. So rather than subject your home to future damage, call in a roofing expert to nip the matter in the bud.

Remember, in the grand scheme of home ownership, a leaky roof is serious. To avoid the tremendous hassle and financial burden that can come along with having a leaky roof, follow these guidelines to ensure that your roof remains in top shape and continues to provide the protection that you and your fellow inhabitants have come to so greatly rely upon.