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Top 10 Ways to Prevent Roof Leaks

By
Real Estate Sales Representative with Re/Max Professionals Select

Top 10 Ways to Prevent Roof Leaks

While roofing problems are obviously exacerbated by rain, there are other insidious, but lesser-known sources that contribute to roof leak issues. Whether you’ve got a new home or an older one, most roof shingles, on average, can go 15 years without needing repair—but a roof can deteriorate well before the 15-year mark, and the longer you wait to repair it, the more expensive the repair will likely be.

 

By being aware of the various problems that can lead to major roof leaks, you can catch them early, avoid expensive repairs, and prolong the life of your roof. Of course, this is especially critical if you are approaching the home-buying or –selling process. Home inspection company Pillar To Post recommends that you keep a close watch for the following roofing red flags and correct them as soon as possible:

1. Incorrect shingle installation. Even the strongest shingles won’t stand up to rain if they’re not properly installed. Improper joint locations and a lack of underlay are two issues that are particularly hard to see, but can be extremely problematic.

2. Structural sagging. A sagging roof structure is often the result of moisture retention, and nearly always foreshadows, or coincides with, a leak issue.

 

3. Water “ponding.” Clogged roof drains and indented areas on flat roofs can cause water pooling—which is basically a leak waiting to happen.

 

4. Damaged nails. Even on shingles that have been expertly installed, nails are the first thing to show wear. Corroding nails leave microscopic holes that invite water in.

 

5. Improperly hung gutters. Gutter placement is critical and just a tiny shift caused by strong wind can tamper with the gutter system and divert rain onto the roof.

 

6. Moss. As moss gathers, it retains more and more moisture that you might not be able to see—until it starts dripping into the attic.

 

7. Insufficient insulation. Pre-1980s homes, in particular, may not have an adequate vapor barrier; if they don’t, a replacement is warranted—surface patching and minor repairs will just amount to wasted money.

 

8. A deteriorating chimney. Cracks, eroded joints or decaying caps in the chimney allow moisture and water to seep in.

 

9. Poor past repairs. From improper plastering to inadequately plugged-up holes, any past repairs that look like they’re DIY are probably not up to code and are not apt to provide leak protection in the future. Have a professional evaluate and correct as necessary.

 

10. Don’t forget the attic. Many leaks can actually originate in the attic so be sure not to terminate any vent or exhaust pipes in the attic.

 

 

Rosemary West

RE/MAX Professionals Select

Office: 815-729-1814

Mobile: 630-807-9700

rosemarywest@remax.net

http://RosemaryWestTeam.com/

 

Copyright© 2011 RISMedia, The Leader in Real Estate Information Systems and Real Estate News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be republished without permission.

Comments (1)

Krista L. Walker
RE/MAX Platinum Medford - Medford, OR
Oregon- Homes & Real Estate for Sale

wow, this is really useful information for me and my clients.  Thanks

Jun 21, 2011 07:10 AM