Roofs are no luxury; they are a need. And a leaking roof is just the worst. Today, we’ll discuss what causes roof leaks in heavy rain and what to do about them. We’ll focus on asphalt shingles.
Why Are Asphalt Shingles the Most Popular?
Asphalt shingles are the most popular due to their affordable cost.
So, when it comes to a roof, it needs to be 100% waterproof. No one desires to run for a bucket every time it rains.
The rainy season in Lowell, MA, includes March, April, May, June, July, and August.
But you’ll be better off being prepared any month of the year with a weatherproof roof.
As we said before, asphalt shingles are one of the most common residential roof types.
They are common because asphalt shingles provide outstanding protection against rainy and sunny weather since they’re flexible enough not to crack when exposed to varying temperatures.
As long as you provide regular maintenance and cleaning, asphalt shingles will last 20 to 25 years!
The cons of installing asphalt shingles are that they can be damaged by hail storms and blown away by high winds.
Unlike rain, which nourishes crops, hail destroys crops, pummels roofs and vehicles, and can seriously injure people.
Hail is also a dangerous, damaging form of yearly precipitation typical to Lowell, MA.
Sadly, asphalt roof shingles are vulnerable to hail damage.
So, one of the common causes of roof leaks in heavy rain is unnoticed hail damage to the roof.
Thus, if you didn’t inspect your roof after the last time it hailed, we advise you to call our skilled team for a proper inspection!
Inspecting your roof will help you identify leaks before they cause a water puddle in your house during heavy rain.
We all love the warmness and coziness a chimney offers. But be aware because a home with a chimney is more vulnerable to roof leaks than one without a chimney.
As you know, a chimney goes above the roof line; on the other hand, the flashing is a piece of metal that surrounds the overlapping areas of the chimney and roof.
So, the flashing around the chimney is the only thing that prevents water from entering the house after it rains.
Thus, you need to seal this area perfectly. Otherwise, you’ll face roof leak problems, especially during heavy rains.
A chimney may cause roof leaks in heavy rain because mortar and brick chimneys become saturated with water when it rains for a prolonged period. When that happens, water will start entering your house.
Skylights are an outstanding feature to have because they allow natural light in. So your house will look more vibrant and warm.
Yet having a skylight can be a double-edged sword because it is another common roof leak source.
When a skylight has damaged or improperly installed flashing, water could get in through the gaps around the framing.
In other words, you must seal a skylight perfectly to keep water out.
If your roof can not keep water out during heavy rain, this may indicate the end of the life of your roof shingles.
Also, remember that not all homeowners know how to find a roof leak.
So, it would be better to hire a roofing contractor to inspect your roof and determine whether you need replacement instead of repair.
Flashing is a thin layer of metal sheeting that diverts water from roofing seams and joints, where moisture can penetrate the roof.
The common signs of compromised flashing are rust, cracks, or holes in the metal sheeting.
In our roofing experience, we have also seen leaks from improperly installed flashing.
A roofing boot is a type of flashing that goes around the base of the pipes coming out of your roof and waterproofs them.
A plumbing vent pipe regulates the air pressure within your home’s plumbing system. For instance, a vent pipe can run from your kitchen or bathroom to your roof. So, when your roof was installed, each vent pipe received a flexible boot to seal water around the round surface of the vent pipe.
But water will find its way inside your house if the boot fails, brittles, or cracks.
Also, remember that pipe boots last around ten years, so depending on your roof’s lifespan, you’ll need to replace them once or twice.
That’s why you should keep up with your roof maintenance to fix vulnerable spots before a leak surprises you.
Here is an exciting and helpful video teaching how to fix a leaking rooftop vent pipe:
5 Tips to Stop Roof Leaks in Heavy Rain:
As much as we hate running for a bucket, it’s the first thing you must do when your roof leaks in heavy rain.
You can use buckets, bowls, or other kitchen storage containers to catch the dripping water.
Remember that water can harm your floors and walls, which are very expensive to replace.
Also, remember that water puddling is a slipping hazard, and you don’t want your loved ones to be in a dangerous situation.
After the rain ceases, you can go to your rooftop and place a temporary tarp over the leaking areas to prevent more water from getting in.
You can use stones, bricks, or wood to weigh down the tarp’s corners so it doesn’t blow away.
A puddle of water on your floor is dangerous for your loved ones. Thus, you want to clean the water from the floor immediately to prevent your loved ones from falling and hurting themselves.
If the water floods your house, call a water damage cleanup company.
Roof repairs are not DIY tasks. These tasks are complex and injury-risky to the average homeowner by the slightest mistake.
Your homeowner’s insurance policy mainly covers roof damages to your roof as long as the cause of the damage is not explicitly in your policy.
So, not only is it dangerous to climb on your roof and try to repair it, but your attempted repairs could also cause extra damage that can void your indemnification claim.
Yep. That’s right!
Damage caused by the property owner is typically not covered by your homeowners’ insurance policy.
For this reason, it’s better to call a roofing contractor to assess the roof condition and make the necessary roof leak repairs.
It is better to be ahead of leaks because running for a bucket is inconvenient when you least expect it.
Thus, we recommend constantly checking your house for leaks or signs of water damage.
Look at all the walls and attic surfaces. If you see any dark spots, this could mean mold is growing.
So, if you find mold, your roof has undoubtedly allowed water in for a long time.
You need to fix the leak and replace the mold-affected area immediately.
The best way to prevent roof leaks in heavy rain is by having regular roof inspections and maintenance done.
Thus, keeping your roof waterproof will save you time, money, and many migraines in the long run.
For proper roof maintenance or emergency roof leak repairs, contact JM Exteriors Roofing Siding – one of the best roofing companies in Lowell, MA.