Roof leaks are every homeowners worst nightmare. No one wants to fork out thousands to get fix their roof. It is what we like to call a ‘guilt purchase’. If the roof leaks are not discovered and repaired quickly, it can cause immense damage to the building structure. Here is a list of roofing aspects we think you should consider with roof leaks:
Dirt And Debris Build-Up
If you have a lot of overhanging trees by your rooftop or you see a lot of debris on your roof, call a roof repair specialist to come and clean and inspect your roof. It is important to keep your roof clean to permit adequate waterflow. Even if you do not notice any roof leaks, we suggest you have your roof inspected anyway.
Gutters And Downpipes
This goes hand in hand with item 1 above. Blocked gutters or down pipes will cause a water backlog. Thus, water will find its way under your roof tiles or metal sheets, causing internal leaks. Ensure your gutters are clean and are in good condition.
Roof Age
Roofs deteriorate overtime, that is inevitable. The older it gets, the less effective it becomes with keeping water out. South Africa is very prone to experiencing all 4 seasons in one day. This causes your roofs temperature to fluctuate often resulting in your roofing material to become brittle and crack or loose effectiveness. If your roof has not been inspected in more than 3 years, we strongly recommend you get your roof inspected ASAP. Roof leaks can occur for months before you see the symptoms in your interior space. But by that time, it is too late and the damage to your roofing structure has already been done.
Roof Ridges
Roof ridges are the highest point of the roof and covers the opening where the 2 roof planes meet. The roof ridges are normally joined with repair mortar which has a tendency to crack overtime. The tiny cracks result in roof leaks.
Chimneys
These little devils are the source of many roof leaks. Chimneys need to have specific flashings properly installed and the counter-flashing that goes into the brick mortar needs to be perfect. If not, you will have roof leaks guaranteed. Small hairline cracks often occur which causes major water ingress, especially in our heavy Johannesburg storms.
Valleys And Flashings
Valleys are long metal sheets that run up and down the intersection where two roofs meet. Roof flashings are metal sheets that are installed where objects or extra builds protrude from the roof. It prevents water from entering joints and causing roof leaks. If these vital aspects have holes or are not joined correctly, it will cause major roof leaks and damage.
Uneven or Unlevelled Surfaces
If you have a flat concrete roof that is not even or slopping slightly towards a downpipe, you will experience water ponding. Roofs are not designed to hold the weight of water so ponding will cause major roof damage if not corrected. Long periods of ponding can also create a build-up of silt. Silt is like tiny grains of sand and soil that start to break down the waterproofing on the flat roof. Thus, causing roof leaks.
This ‘Roof Leaks’ article has helped a lot of clients so we hope it will help you too. We are professionals in roof leak inspections and can assist you with any questions or queries you may have regarding your roof. There is a reason we have the reputation we do so don’t hesitate to call us today for a free roof inspection and quotation.