What Kinds Of Roof Damage Lead To Leaks?

Posted on: 5 June 2020

Did you know your roof can be completely covered in shingles and still develop a leak? It's true. Although most people associate missing shingles with a roof leak, that's only the case some of the time. As it turns out, there are multiple causes of roofing leaks, and if you're only keeping your eyes peeled for missing shingles, you might look past the other issues. So what are those other issues? Keep reading to find out.

Lifted shingle edges

If a shingle is still held in place but the edges are lifting or peeling, you can still end up with leaks. Often, these will be the type of leaks that come and go, leaving you to question whether you really have a leak or not. What's happening is that water is only seeping in when the rain heads in the right direction. If it rains gently and straight down, the water may coast right over the edge of the shingle and not leak in. If it's windy, the wind will push the water under the lifted edge of the shingle, and you'll get a leak.

If your leaks seem inconsistent, the first thing to check for is lifted shingles. Luckily, a roofing company can seal down the edges with a little roofing tar or sealant.

Popped nails

When shingles are nailed to the roof, the top shingle is generally placed over the nails in the shingle beneath it. This keeps water from seeping in around the nails. Occasionally, though, a roofing company will put in some extra nails to secure a shingle, and they'll just glob some tar or caulk over the heads of those nails. This works for a while, but if the nail pops up a bit due to changes in temperature, water might start seeping in around it.

A popped nail is an easy fix. Your roofer can pound it back down and add some more tar, or they can reconfigure the shingles so that nail is covered. 

Loose flashing

If you look at your chimney and sewer line vents, you will notice that there is a sheet of metal between them and the roofing shingles. This metal sheeting is called flashing. If it starts peeling back, which it often does, you will start to notice leaks. These leaks are usually just a slow trickle since water will slowly run beneath and behind the flashing.

Missing shingles are an issue, but they are not the only issue. Keep a close eye on your roof, and address the leak-causing problems above in a timely manner.

For more information regarding roof leaks, reach out to roof repair services in your area.

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