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Five Of The Most Common Causes Of Roof Leaks

Written by Posted On Wednesday, 09 October 2019 09:40

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What happens when you need roof repairs? It springs a leak. The roof is meant to keep you dry and sheltered from the elements; however, when your Newcastle home needs roof repairs in Newcastle, you are not dry at all. The next time you get a leak, it could have been caused by one of the five most common causes.

1.   Human Error

Roofs are built to be sturdy, which means that people can walk on your roof without damaging it. However, people who aren’t experienced roof repair professionals might not know where, or how, to walk on a roof safely. Roofs are constructed to carry extra weight in certain areas, which is where it’s safe to walk on them. However, human error happens all the time. It’s possible to put a foot wrong or step too heavily – especially on ageing roofs. The smallest thing, such as mishandling and dropping a tool while installing an HVAC system can break a tile, which will cause a leak.

2.   Seams

Although roofs are built to be strong, some spots are considered the weakest parts of the construction. In the case of a roof, it’s the seams. Especially when installing a flat roof, extra care needs to be taken to ensure that’s made waterproof. To do this, waterproofing membranes are rolled out over the roof and secured. However, because every roof is different, you can’t find a one-size-fits-all membrane, which means that they need to be cut in pieces to size and attached. They’re typically attached by overlapping each side over another and then secured either to the decking or the insulation. However, if they aren’t fastened correctly, your roof will leak. Waterproofing a flat roof is especially important because rainwater pools on its surface instead of running to the gutters as with sloping roofs.

3.   Neglect

Paying for regular maintenance and repairs is an expense; however, installing a new roof before your current roof has stayed its intended lifespan would be even more costly. Unfortunately, roofing issues can’t be left alone or ignored. The longer you wait, the worse the damage will become. If you want to prevent severe damage and costly repairs, you need to inspect and maintain your roof regularly. If not, pitch pans and caulking will dry out and crack, causing leaks. Besides, the longer your roof leaks, the more water damaged it will become – all the way through the roof and insulation, and down to your ceilings.

4.   Rooftop Equipment

Are you aware of how heavy rooftop equipment can be? Because it’s bulky, moving and installing rooftop equipment such as geysers, heating and cooling systems and solar panels can crack tiles and remove screws. Not only that but after the installation, the washers and gaskets on these systems can dry out and crack, leaving gaps in the roof where rainwater can get inside. It’s important to note that when you install this kind of equipment, such as ventilation units, need to be maintained as well. They aren’t manufactured to be waterproof, so during those inspections, the joins should be inspected. The last thing you need is rainwater seeping in through your perfectly intact roof because of poorly installed or maintained rooftop equipment.

5.   Severe Weather

Unfortunately, the last of the most common causes of roof leaks is outside of your control. Exposure to the elements can cause damage to the roof, which will only get worse if left unchecked. Hard, driving rains, pooling water, severe winds and hailstorms can weaken your roof, or damage it to the point of needing repairs. Not only that, but falling branches and other debris during harsh storms can also crack and break roof tiles. If you experience severe weather, it’s advised that you inspect your roof thoroughly after each storm. Remove debris and moss growth, and ensure that nothing has caused any disrepair. Remember, the sooner you find the damage, the sooner it can be fixed before it causes a leak.

Although not every roof leak you experience in your life can be attributed to one of these five causes, these are some of the most common. Roof repair specialists in Newcastle recommend that you perform regular maintenance on your roof – sloped or flat – to avoid leaks and other damage. It’s important to remember that the sooner the repairs are done, the less severe the leaks will be. Moreover, now that you understand the causes of roof leaks, you now know how to prevent them from starting, let alone getting worse. You’ll have an intact and problem-free roof, for as long as your roof is meant to last.

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