We all know that roof leaks are not something you want to deal with. They can be a major headache, and it’s often hard to find the source of the leak, especially if you have an older house. This article will walk you through 15 common causes of roof leaks in Pensacola, FL so that hopefully, one or more will match your situation and help you get on top of the problem.
1. Age
A leaky roof is often caused by age-related wear and tear. As the underlay beneath your shingles becomes less able to handle moisture, it will start to crack, which can then lead to leaks. Older roofs are also more susceptible to damage from hail or high winds because they do not offer as much protection against the elements. Also, older roofs tend to wear out faster because they are not as strong, and the shingles last less long. Roofs built before 1990 only lasted for 15-20 years on average, while modern ones can go up to 50! An aged roof is often the culprit in cases where a leak started out of nowhere or after years without any issues.
2. Weather
Many times, roof leaks are caused by weather-related wear and tear. When the temperature suddenly drops or jumps up quickly (like in Pensacola!), your shingles can change shape, which will then lead to cracks and eventually leaking. The same goes for sudden heavy rains: if too much water is absorbed on top of a cold surface, it could cause cracking because of all the excess weight. Weather can also cause damage to the roofing membranes, so it is crucial that they are installed well and can handle being exposed.
3. Damaged or Poorly Installed Flashing
In many cases of a leaky roof, poorly installed flashing comes as the culprit for what caused the issue in the first place. The flashings should be tight against your house’s walls without any gaps between them and where they meet with shingle installation. If there is no flashing around an area like this, then water could easily get underneath your siding, which will eventually lead to leaks all over your home’s exterior!
4. Broken or Missing Roof Tiles or Slates
If you happen to have missing or broken roof tiles, this could be the cause of your leaky roof. If any area under your shingles is exposed, then water can easily penetrate and lead to leaks over time. Broken roof tiles or slates are common in Pensacola, where high winds can knock them off and lead to water seeping out from the hole.
5. Damaged Roofing Membranes or Underlay
Your roofing membranes should always be installed well so that they do not get punctured by nails, screws, debris, etc. If your membrane is damaged, this could cause leaks near these penetration areas if there is enough moisture present for it to pass through. Likewise with underlay: improper installations will leave gaps that may allow water to flow right through into the house’s interior spaces! Always install these two components carefully!
6. Using the Wrong Roofing Materials for Your Roof’s Pitch
It is important to understand the pitch of your roof before installing any roofing materials. If you have a high-pitched roof, it should be installed with shingle products that are not more than three inches deep, as these will allow for water runoff and prevent standing pools of water from forming on top. Likewise, if you have a low-pitched roof, then use thicker material like slate or tile so that they can withstand heavy rainfall without breaking!
7. Poorly Installed Skylights or Roof Windows
Roof windows or skylights can lead to leaks if they are not installed well. If the seal around your window is broken, then this will cause water to seep inside through cracks or crevices that could form under a shingle installation. This will also happen if there’s a leaky joint on your roofing system, which would create excess moisture that needs another outlet to escape and flow down towards lower parts of the house!
8. Clogged Gutters
If the rainwater cannot drain properly out of your gutters because they are clogged with leaves and debris, this can cause leaks. This is common in Pensacola, where heavy rains tend to be more frequent, and the buildup of these materials makes it difficult for water to flow through quickly enough! If you have a large roofing system that covers most or all sides of your home, ensure that there’s plenty of clearance between them so that stormwater doesn’t pool upright against any unprotected areas on either side.
9. Cracked Chimney
If your chimney is cracked and leaks, then that might be the cause for a leaky roof as well. If there’s excess moisture on top of an uninsulated surface, it can lead to cracking because of all the extra weight! It’s important to seal any cracks in this part of the house with masonry products so that water cannot seep into these open spaces and eventually reach your living space.
10. Damaged Roof Vents
Professionals often install roof vents, but if yours has become damaged or broken over time, then this could also be causing leaks. There needs to be adequate clearance around the openings from shingles or other parts of the roof installation process so that wind doesn’t catch anything and start pulling it up or away from the opening.
11. Damaged Soffit or Fascia Boards
It’s important to take care of any damaged parts of your home! If you have a leaky soffit, this could be leaking water all over your living space because they are not properly sealed and don’t allow for adequate drainage on top. Take preventative measures by sealing cracks in these areas or having them replaced entirely when necessary! Likewise with fascia boards: these should also always be checked during a roof inspection process as leaks can originate here if there is damage that needs immediate attention before becoming worse.
12. Poorly Sealed Roof Valleys
Roof valleys are often overlooked, but they’re crucial to preventing seepage on your home’s roof. If you have a leaky valley, this could be the cause for your leaks! Ensure proper sealing around these joints keeps water from seeping inside and causing any structural damage on top of its own.
13. Working on Your Roof
It’s important not to go up onto your roof without taking precautions first! Slip-resistant shoes are essential, as well as ensuring all gaps in footwear or clothing will fit tightly, so they don’t easily come off when climbing up ladders or steps. Take care with equipment like power tools. If one of them falls, it can lead to significant property damages!: always make sure someone is below overseeing everything, so nothing gets dropped by accident. It’s also crucial never to work on top of your roof when it’s wet outside or raining because this would make the surface slippery and lead to severe injuries!
14. Wildlife
Rodents like squirrels, raccoons, possums, skunks, and even deer have been known to enter homes through various means. If you hear noises coming from inside your attic space, then that might be a sign that animals are nesting up there since they’re often looking for new places to live. These creatures can be a huge problem when they’re nesting in your attic space because you might not realize this until it’s too late, and then the damage is already done!
15. Overhanging Trees
This isn’t always the case, but overgrown trees or bushes on top of your roof could also lead to leaks. Take care of this problem by ensuring that trees are trimmed, so they don’t overgrow onto your roof and branches can’t make contact with the shingles! If branches are touching shingles with enough weight, they will eventually cause them to come loose, resulting in severe damages that need immediate attention before things worsen.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s essential to be proactive about preventing leaks from happening on top of your home by ensuring all parts are in good condition and intact. Roofs will last a lot longer if you upkeep, but then again, there’s nothing worse than seeing leak start somewhere which is usually indicative of something else going wrong underneath as well- such as poorly installed flashing or damaged gutters. It pays off to always stay ahead when doing anything for your own property because then you know precisely what needs tending to before any damages happen, too late!