Common Causes of a Leaking Roof

For most homeowners, one of the most troublesome issues that they do not want to encounter is a leaking roof. Aside from being troublesome, this type of problem can also cause a lot of damage to a house. For those who do not know, a leaking roof can cause structural damage to a home. This includes damage to the walls, ceiling, and attic. 

Aside from that, roof leaks can also present a health threat to everyone living inside the house. This is because moisture can develop mildew and mold that will spread across the house over time. A leak can also become a risky fire threat if the water meets electrical wiring.  

Because of that, it is very crucial to fix a leaking roof as soon as possible with the help of roofing contractors Boston. However, we all know that prevention is better than cure. Because of that, we are going to share with you the common causes of a leaking roof to avoid problems in the future.  

Holes 

If your roof is close to a tree, falling branches might cause holes in your roof. In addition to that, things installed on the roof can also cause holes. This includes a satellite dish.  

Excess Moisture 

Incorrect gutter installation can result in pooling and draining problems. Over time, this will lead to leaks. 

Fascia or Soffit Damage 

Over time, fascia and soffits are in danger of water damage. The fascia of your roof can soften because of water. Over time, holes will be created. To make things worse, small critters such as rodents and birds can make these holes bigger and make it their nest. 

Roof Vents 

Over time, roof vents that are plastic might crack. In addition to that, pipe vents have gaskets. These gaskets can have gaps or can crack at some point.  

Chimney 

If the chimney is old, water can drip through it. Even if the crack is extremely tiny, water can still leak inside it. On particular occasions, water might also pool at the chimney’s base.  

Skylights 

Fortunately, leaks caused by skylights are simple to notice. Typically, the cause for this is incorrect installation. Oftentimes, the wrong measurement can also cause leaks in the skylights. 

Clogged Gutters 

If your roof is close to a tree, leaves and branches can clog the gutters. Other debris can also clog the gutters. When your gutter is clogged, the flow of rainwater will be interrupted. Because of this, your gutter will not be able to direct the rainwater to the downspout. This will result in pooling. Eventually, water will make its way inside your house.  

Roof Age 

Just like any materials in the world, the material of your roof will deteriorate over time. Exposure to elements and severe weather can also cause roof deterioration. Water can easily leak inside a roof if it is already weak. It is a lot better if you fix the roof as soon as possible. 

Missing or Damaged Shingles 

Heavy rains and strong winds can remove your shingles. This will cause leaks.  

The Essential Things You Need to Know About 3 Common Roofing Styles 

     Before we proceed on constructing our house, it is important to decide first about the roofing style it will have. The roofing of your house can dictate the shape, structure, and the foundations of your house; thus, making it easier for you to proceed with the construction of other parts. 

     Choosing the style of our roofing, however, is not an easy task. This is because there are a lot of roofing styles out there, and we can be torn between many choices. Don’t worry though, because, through this article, I will help you process the selection faster and help you make the right one. 

 

1. Gable Roofs

Gable roofs are one of the most famous and widely used types of roofing. You can find this style anywhere; it is characterized by two sides that are equally sloping, which then forms triangular sides that are closed by the front and back walls of the house. 

Gable roofs are best utilized in the places where there are seasonal rain and snow. The sloping sides of gable roofs are ideal to easily remove accumulated snow, and the angle helps the rainwater to drain off easily.  

Gable roofs, however, are not ideal in places that receive annual storms and strong winds. The overhang of the two sides of the roof is very susceptible to damage from strong winds; strong winds can peel away the materials and may have the possibility of uplifting your whole roof.  

2. Hip Roofs

Another basic style of roofing, which is also widely used is hip roofs. Hip roofs have the characteristic of having small slopes on all four sides. These sides are equal in length, and they form a ridge in the middle and the highest point.  

Hip roofs are also ideal on snowy and areas that receive a lot of rainfall; the four slopes make it easier to dispose of the snow and rain. While gable roofs are not ideal in places that receive strong winds, hip roofs, on the other hand, is more stable and can survive places with these kinds of weather disturbances. 

The disadvantage of hip roofs is that it is much more expensive to make than the gable roofs. Utilizing hip roofs would mean you will have to have more complex designs for your house, and because of this, you will also need to purchase more materials. 

3. Mansard Roof

The mansard roof is another excellent choice for your roofing. Mansard roof, which is also called as French roof, is characterized by having four sides and it has two different slopes on two sides; the lower slope is steeper than, the higher slope.  

The advantage of mansard roof is that it gives you more living space in the interiors of your house. You can construct a wide attic or you can build additional rooms upstairs. The disadvantages of mansard roof, however, is that it is not very strong in places that receives heavy snow. If you want this kind of roofing, contact excellent professionals like edmonton roofing.