Why Does My Roof Leak Sometimes?
Have you experienced a recent roof leak? Or have you experienced an intermittent roof leak? Thompson Home Improvement often receives calls from clients asking us to investigate inconsistent roof leaks. There are of course hundreds of factors that could cause a roof to leak sometimes and not others. So, we wanted to share some helpful information, in the way of a checklist that you can use to assess what might be happening before you call in someone to evaluate the problem.
One of the first questions we would ask, is: How old Is your roof? If it’s new, then the stimulus of the problem is likely different than it might be if the roof is old and nearing time to be replaced. Depending on this answer, it will help you to know better what to look for. Second, what is the location of the leak on the interior? And is there anything near that area on the exterior of the roof? Third; how many times has it leaked? Fourth; have you had any issues with wildlife?
If the roof is new, it should be under warranty and the installer should be willing to evaluate and repair free of charge, unless the roof has sustained damage from a storm or another trades person. Which would lead us to our next question. Has the roof sustained any storm damage? Or have there been any other trades on the roof, electricians, siders, window installers etc. There are any number of things that can take place when a roof is exposed to a storm or foot traffic. If the roof is new, it is possible that it may not have entirely sealed down yet, pending the climate and time of year it is installed. It is also possible there could be an exposed nail head somewhere that is working its way loose and allowing rain to penetrate when the circumstances are right. If the leak is near an exhaust pipe for a bathroom or a kitchen vent, it can be because the flange has been inverted by a plumber, if it’s on a new home. Or that the flange has failed after too much UV exposure, if the roof is older.
We have posted other blogs that discuss how to properly maintain your roof throughout the year, checking pipe boots and their gaskets is part of regular roof maintenance. But also making sure that you keep run-off areas, valleys, gutters and crevices free of debris from trees. When water backs up and goes in the wrong direction this will cause the roof to leak.
If the roof is older, and has been compromised by wind and UV breakdown over time, it is possible that shingles have blown off, or pieces of shingles have been compromised, and when the rain and the wind are just right the water is finding its way in. It’s also possible that an attic has not been ventilated appropriately and it will condensate, causing a leak that is not actually coming from a penetration in the roof. It is also possible that wall flashing may be missing or compromised and allows water to penetrate. This can happen in old or new homes, when flashing isn’t done correctly or at all. There are also more rare occasions where the wind and the rain are blowing at the right speed and the right direction at the same time, and it causes the water to move in such a direction as it penetrates the roofing vents, windowsills or even the shingles.
Lastly, one of the common culprits is a masonry chimney. When masonry chimneys and or their caps are not maintained appropriately, mortar joints can fail, chimney caps can crack, brick faces can break off and seal failures and flashing failures can take place.
It is difficult to address a situation such as this, that can have a whole spectrum of possibilities when it comes to the “Cause” of Why your roof only leaks sometimes. And if you aren’t able or capable of answering or identifying the information associated with any of the questions we have listed here, then the best thing to do is to call a professional such as Thompson Home Improvement and have us out to evaluate and repair the issue.
