Slipped Tile Or Slate
One of the most common causes of roof leakages is a slipped tile or slate. These are typically very easy to notice simply look up at your roof and see if you can see any missing tiles or slates. If so, this is likely to be the cause of your leakage.
When one of your roof tiles slips, rainwater will begin to build up on your underlay, putting it under increased pressure. When this water builds up, it may begin to leak inside the roof.
The Relationship Between Your Gutters And Ceiling
Your gutters and your roof live side-by-side on the exterior of your home. Though the gutter keeps water away from your house, a clogged gutter will fill with liquid, overflowing onto nearby structures, including the roof. Since the water will move from the gutter right to the roof, you can expect the water to get in.
How Do Leaks Happen
Having leaky gutters can be a result of many things. The most common situation is when the gutters get clogged. When this happens, water cannot travel freely through the gutters but is stuck in one place, causing leaks and spills all over the roof and backyard.
To avoid this, clean the gutters 2 times a year and after each storm. This will reduce risks of massive clogs made from leaves and other debris. Animals and pesticides build nests in your gutters, also blocking the waters pathway.
The second common scenario is when the gutters reach their age limit. As time moves along, gutters, especially plastic ones, wear, tear and crack. If you live in a tough climate, this will happen much faster since difficult storms can crack the gutters as well.
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What To Know Before You Clean Your Gutters:
- Ladder safety 101: Your ladder should be sturdy, safe and large enough for the job. Never stand on the top three rungs of a ladder or put yourself in an unsafe position, and be sure to have someone nearby in case of an emergency.
- Use the proper tools: There are more tools involved than the ladder and your hands. Thick suede gloves, protective eyewear and long sleeves add an extra layer of protection against bacteria, cuts and pests. A plastic scooping tool and bucket can help you clean out and dispose of debris. You can also use a garden hose to wash away mud and unclog downspouts.
- Know when to hire a pro: If the job is too physically demanding or youd prefer to play it safe and hassle-free, contact a professional to clean your gutters. The cost will vary depending on the size of your home.
Leaks On Tile Roofs Only When It Rains Heavy
No sarking under the roof tiles.
If you go into your ceiling cavity and you can see the underside of the roof tiles then you have no sarking. Stay there during heavy rain and you will feel a fine mist coming through the gaps between the tiles. Usually, this is not a big problem because it is not enough moisture to wet the ceiling. And there are no ceiling stains.
It is not the lack of sarking that causes the leak in heavy rain. It is because there is nothing under the roof tiles to catch the leak and drain it away.
If you do get stains on your ceiling, it makes our lives a lot easier. The leak is right above the ceiling stain!
Low pitched roof tiles.
Roof tiles start to do poorly when the roof pitch gets less than 20 degrees. Manufacturers of roof tiles have limits on roof pitches because of this. Yet, many roofers ignore these for the sake of looks. To compensate, tile manufacturers relax the pitch requirement provided sarking is installed. But this does not stop the leaks. The sarking will hold water until it gives way and pours water into the house.
It does need heavy rain to overflow the tops and edges of the roof tiles. If you dont have sarking, then the ceiling gets wet quite immediately. If you have sarking, then it is quite possible that the leak is contained and you dont know that your roof is leaking.
Overflowing roof valleys.
Leaves and valleys dont work well together.
Flat profiled roof tiles.
Downpipe spreaders.
Dirty or broken watercourses.
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Stains On Slabs Or The Siding
Discolorations on the slabs or the siding of your home might be telltale signs that theres a leak. When your gutters arent working as they should, water could leak through or overflow, causing it to come in contact with the homes exterior. This, of course, results in mold growth, rot, and corrosion on the homes facade, causing discolorations that can negatively impact your homes curb appeal.
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Can Clogged Gutters Cause Roof Leaks
Clogged gutters are more than just a hassle to clean, as they can actually cause damage to your home, leading to roof leaks during heavy rain. Unclogged gutters are designed to channel water through the gutter trough, into the downspouts, and away from your home. But when clogs occur, the water instead remains stagnant in the gutter trough, settling against the roof.
Over time, this stagnant water can lead to water damage as your roof begins to rot. Soon enough, this damage weakens the structural integrity of your roof and, eventually, water will begin to seep into the interior of your home.
As you can imagine, clogged gutters and downspouts can lead to a host of problems within a home that are very expensive to repair. If the roof damage is bad enough, the entire roof may need to be replaced. Furthermore, roof leaks can damage the interior of the home not only will the ceilings need to be replaced, but also the contents within the home that are damaged by water.
In addition to all these problems, water-flow over the sides of clogged gutters can also cause landscape erosion and foundation damage since downspouts arent channeling water away from your home.
To learn more about this innovative gutter protection system, contact BELDON® today.
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The Presence Of Ice Dams
Leaks can also occur due to ice dams. These ice formations occur due to the constant melting and refreezing of snow on the warmer areas of the roof. When not addressed, they can cause water to back up under your shingles. They can loosen shingles and cause water to leak into your living spaces. Leaks in your home can result in warped flooring, sagging ceilings and peeling paint. It can also make your attic insulation soggy and prone to mold and mildew.
You can easily avoid these issues by taking proper care of your roof. At Northeast Gutters and Remodeling, you can rely on us for superior residential commercial roofing services. Our highly skilled and trained team also specializes in gutter, drywall, trim and siding installation. Call us at 899-7878, or fill out our contact form to get a free estimate. For all your roof repair and siding installation needs, Northeast Gutters and Remodeling is always ready to help.
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What Damage Can Blocked Gutters Cause
A blocked gutter might seem like a trivial problem at first. But if left unchecked, blocked gutters can cause serious damage to your property.
Blocked gutter damage can quickly turn into a huge and costly problem, leading to structural damage, leaking roofs and insect infestations.
Blocked gutters can cause an untold number of problems heres our expert rundown of the most common and dangerous ones.
Damage To The Foundations
One of the biggest problems that can be caused by blocked gutter damage is structural damage to the foundations of your home. This is a serious issue and it will only arise in the worst scenario. But its the most important reason to regularly check your gutters and have them regularly cleaned out.
Damage to the foundations can occur when a blocked gutter overflows during heavy rainfall. The water can pool at the base of the building and seep into the foundations. This can weaken the structure of a house, and in really serious cases can cause collapses.
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Your Yard And Landscape Will Suffer
All the hard work that you put into your grass, flower beds and shrubs will go to waste if you let your gutters clog.
Clogged gutters cause water to spill out and wash away your plants. You may also notice puddles in your lawn and will need to re-plant grass that is too damaged to grow continuously.
Since curb appeal is a huge determining factor in your property value, this goes much deeper than simple appearance.
Mold Growth On The Area Where The Roof And Exterior Wall Meet
There must be a kick-out flashing in areas where a roof edge meets a sidewall. This roofing component prevents runoff from running down the exterior wall. Without it, water can penetrate your doors and waters, and even seep behind the trim. This issue can be left unnoticed for years until rot starts to develop and damage the sheathing and framing of the roof. Fortunately, regular roof inspections can easily detect this issue before it turns into a major expense.
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Damage Caused By Installation
Another problem with other gutter guards is the installation process. Many gutter guards require you to lift up the shingles on your roof to install. Some even have to be nailed into place through your roof and shingles.
HomeCraft Gutter Guards are non-invasive. They do not have to be fitted up under the shingles or nailed down. Our professional installation process will ensure that your gutters are secure, clear of debris, and that your gutter guards are perfectly fitted to the gutters.
Mildew And Water Damage Will Accumulate
It’s only a matter of time before standing water turns into mildew. You know you have a problem when mildew is beginning to breed inside of your roof, attic, and the walls of your house.
Getting rid of mildew can be a pricey proposition, as contractors charge between $500 and $6,000. This can be a serious blow particularly because the accumulation of mildew is entirely avoidable.
Aside from the price you will have to pay to get rid of it, it’s also very damaging to your health if you come in contact with it. Mildew is known to make allergies worse and can create skin irritation.
In addition to mildew, sitting water will wear away at the wood of your household. The wood will begin to get soggy and rot. Left long enough, your home structure could begin to deteriorate, requiring extensive repairs.
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Blocked Gutters And Down Pipes Can Damage The Garden Below
Its not just house interiors that can be damaged by blocked gutters, but gardens too.
The primary job of gutters is to channel water towards a drain, and away from areas that would be damaged by excessive water and this can also include gardens. A blocked down pipe could cause excess water to overflow into your garden as the water has nowhere else to go. In heavy rains, this will cause an excessive amount of water to fall onto your greenery, which could drown plants and foliage or crush them from pressure. Over time, repeated incidents of excessive water damage in these garden areas could lead to soil erosion and permanent damage to your garden.
How To Find Roof Leaks
When youre trying to track down a leak, start by looking at the roof uphill from the stains. Look for any roof penetrations first. Items that penetrate the roof lead to most of the common leaks. In fact, open areas of uninterrupted shingles rarely leak, even on older roofs. Penetrations can include plumbing and roof vents, chimneys, dormers or anything else that projects through the roof. They can be several feet above the leak or to either the right or left of it.
If you have attic access, tracking down a leak becomes easier. Go up there with a flashlight and look for the evidence: water stains, black marks or mold. Poor access or vaulted ceilings present a problem in these cases you have to go up onto the roof and examine the suspect.
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Hire A Professional Today
You need to clean your gutters one or two times per year in most cases. If you live somewhere that experiences heavy rain and plenty of leaves during the fall, it might be worth it to clean out your gutters quarterly.
If you need some help, you can always hire the help of a pro that will clean your gutters quickly and properly.
Hiring professional gutter cleaning services in Charlotte is a cost-effective and smart way to keep your home in tip-top shape. Start reaching out to a few seasoned professionals to make sure you’re spending your money with a company that gets the job done correctly.
Now that you know how much of a silent danger clogged gutters are to your home, take a lookat how we can help and contact us for a free price quote today!
Signs Of Leaky Gutters
Another useful thing you should know is how to recognize that your gutters are leaking. In some situations, this is more than obvious since water will fall on the ground in large splashes. In other situations, the leaks are small and barely noticeable. However, these small leaks can develop in larger ones if you dont fix the problem ASAP. Here is where to look:
- Rot and mildew in the attic
- Stains on siding and slab
- Moisty basements
- Broken or damaged shingles
- Leaks on the ceilings
Some of these signs may signify other problems and can be solved by other methods such as basement waterproofing, but if you notice one of the signs, make sure to immediately inspect the gutters and check if they are causing the problem. Go through every inch and remove dirt and debris in the process.
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Poor Installation Or Materials
Poor workmanship is one of the most common causes of roof leakages. It can be tempting to choose the cheapest roofer without inspecting any of their previous work. However, there are many inexperienced roofers out there who dont always install materials properly.
If the components of your roof arent installed effectively, it could lead to leaks later down the line. This includes your roof membrane, flashing, vents and chimney.
Damage To The Roof And Fascia
Gutters are supposed to direct water away from your roof and into the ground. If the gutter is clogged, some of that water will back up on the roof, soaking it. And it doesnt stop there. Some of the water may leak behind the gutters, down towards the soffit and the fascia. Left long enough, the water runoff will cause damage to the roof shingles as well as your homes facade.
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What Can You Do When Your Gutter Has A Leak
- First, check the joints between the gutter sections because the cause of a leak will usually start there.
- Check for signs of water stagnation or standing and sagging. If this happens, you can adjust or add gutter hangers to strengthen the foundation that holds the gutter.
- Let the gutter, particularly the damaged areas and the seams, dry out completely after cleaning them. You can use a brush to remove unwanted substances that might affect the sealants.
- Gently and evenly apply a silicone-rubber caulking substance on the seams. Make sure that you apply a generous amount both inside and outside to seal the damage and prevent leaks.
- If you notice any small holes on the gutter, you can use roofing cement to patch them up. Use a putty knife to apply the cement generously but make sure to spread it out evenly so that there will be no areas where water can stay. Applying roofing cement is best done during a warm day so that it can dry faster. However, in the UK it is advisable to warm the cement to room temperature for easy spreading.
- Larger holes are best covered with metal patches. Embed the patches over the roofing cement and then spread another layer of cement over the patch.
- Due to the UKs frequent rainfall, you always need to make sure that downspouts drain into a dry well. The usual measurement of the well should be around 2 to 4 feet wide and 3 feet deep which can collect approximately 55 gallons.
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Can Water Damage By Heavy Rain Cause A Roof Leak
Water damage by heavy rain can cause a roof leak if the gutter becomes clogged, develops a leak, or is not installed properly. If you experience water entering your home from the roof after it rains heavily, its possible that you have a clog in your gutters and need to hire a gutter repair service. The water may be flowing above and around your gutters and downspouts and pooling on top of your shingles while also entering through small cracks in the roof.
Its important to keep gutters clean and clear of debris so they dont become clogged or damaged over time. While some homeowners prefer to hire professional help, there are many who want to save money by doing this themselves. If you choose to clean the gutters yourself, remember that they are located at an angle and its important not to fall.
If you do choose to hire a professional company, you can find one by asking family and friends for referrals or searching online for local companies. The latter is also helpful because you can read reviews of each company before deciding who to use.
You should also check with your homeowners insurance provider if there are any restrictions regarding working on your roof.
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