Does Heavy Rain Cause Your Roof To Leak? Here’s Why.

Roofing contractors in Napa, California, explain the reasons behind intermittent roof leaks and what homeowners should do about them.

What Could Be Causing That Intermittent Leak?

The roof is a home’s first line of defense against the elements, which is why it’s important that it is maintained and professional roofers do any roof repair. While these are the basics that a homeowner needs to know when it comes to their roof, these statements leave many questions unanswered.

A roof leak is more than a simple inconvenience. It can cause structural damage and lead to other problems in the home, such as mold or mildew. Let’s discuss the parts that make up the most common roofing types and why certain areas may leak when the rain and winds are strong.

The Layers Of Protection in Roofing: The Basics

Any roofing company worth its salt will easily be able to talk about the layers that are necessary for a roof, but most homeowners may be unaware of all that goes into the construction of a roof. Because the household relies on the roof to keep them healthy and dry, it is important that each layer is intact. The layers of a typical asphalt roof are as follows:

• Plywood base
• Waterproof barrier
• Felt Underlayment
• Shingles (including starter strip and ridge and hip shingles)

The waterproof barrier usually covers the eaves and the edge of the roof, and the felt underlayment protects the rest of the roof deck. The layers for other roofing supply materials are very similar, except that asphalt shingles may be replaced in the list with metal, cedar shakes, composite roofing tiles, clay, or slate roofing tiles. Different materials have different costs and aesthetics. Asphalt is one of the least expensive materials and lasts for decades. With proper care, some materials can last 50 to 100 years. But what can cause those nasty leaks even in newer roofs? Let’s explore the answer in the next section.

What Causes Leaks During Heavy Rain?

There are at least six different reasons for rain penetration of a roof during violent or heavy storms. This section of the article will discuss each cause in depth and what needs to be done about it. Roofing repair is necessary on some level in most cases, but roofing replacement may be necessary in some extreme situations.

Many of the roof leaks stem from areas of the roof that require special attention during installation and cause some sort of interruption in the line of the roof.  Intermittent leaks may happen around chimneys, flashing, pipe boots, and skylights, but damage and poor installation can also play a part. These will each be discussed in the bulleted list below.

• Chimney Chase Cover: The chimney can be a big culprit when it comes to water getting into the house. The chimney chase is actually the empty space in the middle of the chimney and is often protected from the weather by a cover. If it is cracked or rusted, such as a metal cover, water can make its way into the chimney. Broken or waterlogged masonry on the chimney can also be to blame for leaks. This is one of the situations that requires someone other than a roofer to fix. Chimney repair must be done by a professional in that field.
• Flashing Failure: Flashing is thin metal sheeting that is placed at certain joints on a roof. Typically, these spots are where gables or upper stories meet a roof or around chimneys and ventilation points. Flashing is flexible and molds well to these chinks in the armor that is the shingles. If it gets damaged, blown off by high winds, or begins to corrode, then water can sneak in through the cracks.
• Decaying Debris: Roofs often collect leaves, twigs, and other detritus from trees, especially during the autumn and when there are violent storms. If this yard waste sits on the roof for a long period of time it can become a water collection spot. Though roofs are waterproof, puddles of water sitting in one spot can find areas to soak through, causing leaks. This is, of course, particularly true when the rain is heavy.
• Poor Shingle Installation: If shingles are not properly sealed together, then a satisfactory barrier against the elements of weather is not created. This can lead to leaks when the wind lifts those poorly installed roofing tiles or shingles and forces water underneath. The nails that are essential to roofing can also cause a roof leak if they are not completely flush with the material. Also, damage to the roof can lead to these problems and may not be the fault of the previous roofer.
• Pipe Boot Problems: The pipe boot is a neoprene ring that is placed at the base of the pipes that penetrate the roof. This normally creates an excellent seal, but the ultraviolet rays from sunlight exposure do break down this product over time. Pipe boots only last about a decade, not even close to the lifespan of the roof itself. Cracks can develop in them, allowing water through. This is perhaps the most common form of intermittent leak during heavy rains.
• Skylight Struggles: Skylights are great for curb appeal and have the advantage of creating beautiful streams of natural light and allowing stargazing at night. They are often a weak point in a roof, however. Leaks can develop as the seal around the skylight deteriorates. This leak is at least easy to find and determine the problem.

Finding the Leak, Roof Inspection, and Roofing Maintenance

Roof leak repair is notoriously difficult due to the unpredictability of water flow and the obvious leak inside the house, often being far from where the water is actually getting in. Whether the problem is with residential or commercial roofing, it should be inspected by a professional. They have the tools and the know-how to find and determine the best solution. If a home gets a roof inspection and maintenance on an annual basis, this can often eliminate problems for intermittent leaks before they even start.

About Modern Method Roofing

For more than 63 years, Modern Method Roofing has been providing the people of Napa, CA, and the surrounding areas with excellent workmanship and roofing expertise. Call today for a free estimate and to work with the company that offers a 12-year workmanship guarantee.