You Have Ice Dam Buildup
What Does It Look Like: An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining off. The combined weight of the ice itself can damage the roof, as well as the water just sitting on the roofs surface.
Why It Happens: The heat from your attic is above freezing, which causes some of the snowfall to melt, despite the cold temperatures outside. The water will then run between the roofs surface and the snow and will refreeze into ice once it hits the roofs exterior edge.
How To Fix It: Invest in a roof rake, which looks like a sideways shovel with a long handle, and use it too reach up onto the roof and remove at least the lower four feet of snow from the roof edge. If you see an ice dam forming, consider treating it with an ice melt product, according to manufacturers directions. As winter gets closer, be prepared to find a way to clear the snow off your roof.
How Can I Prevent Condensation In My Home
Your best bet at tackling excessive condensation: ventilation and proper insulation. Make sure always to run the bathroom fan when showering. This applies to cooking as well use your hood fans, on high every time you cook. Dont have ventilation fans in the bathroom or kitchen? There are great low-priced options that could make a huge difference. Or, consider cracking a window an inch or two while showering or cooking. Also, make sure to check the insulation in your attic. Most folks mistakenly believe the more, the better. Not true. Too much insulation could actually be the culprit behind those harmful ice dams.
Still have questions about whether you are experiencing condensation or a leaky roof? Contact The Roof Guy. We offer free roof inspections. Should we detect an issue, our team will perform a complete evaluation and provide the very best, and honest solution. Trust The Roof Guy.
Take Photos For Insurance Documentation
Do you want to know what to do if your roof is leaking? Its this step! Documenting your damages will come in handy when you file your home insurance claim if the damage is eligible for a claim. We cannot overstate how important it is to take photos and document everything.
Not only does it show the severity of the roof damage, but also the other items that were compromised. If your television, computer, furniture, bedding, or kitchen were ruined by the roof leak, document it. Your insurance could potentially fix the roof and replace the items you lost.
If you are handy and think you can fix your roof yourself, check out these suggestions from Family Handyman. We highly recommend, however, to contact us or another professional roofer if your roof is leaking for professional roof repair. There are many things to know when working on roofs, and safety is always the number one concern!
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What To Do About Roof Leaks
When you notice any signs of a roof leak, you should have a local roofer inspect your roof promptly. Roofers can determine if a leak is occurring, how bad it is, and what needs to be done about it. Having your roof checked for leaks and repaired sooner rather than later helps reduce your risk of having water damage.
If you have a leaky roof, please contact Adam Vaillancourt Roofing as soon as possible for roof repairs. We offer dependable residential roofing services in the Southern New Hampshire and Northern Massachusetts area.
Protect Your Roof With Water Damage And Roofing Professionals
Many of the above sources for roof leaks are obvious to the naked eye. Others are silent signs that your roof has damage. Silent damage is the most concerning because it can go unnoticed for weeks, or even months. Repairing your roof can protect your home from major and expensive damage.
When your roof needs repair, you should always look for a reputable and reliable roofing contractor. A leaking roof is a critical situation, one that should be taken seriously. Its vital that you take action as soon as you notice signs of a roof leak.
Call Water Damage & Roofing in Austin at for your FREE initial roof inspection. Our experienced technicians can take care of any roofing issues, large or small.
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You Have Broken Shingles
What Does It Look Like: Look up! This one is easy to spot. Since shingles are the exterior layer of a roof, you should be able to identify missing shingles by seeing different-colored patches on your roof. Alternatively, you may find the shingles themselves littering your yard after a heavy storm.
Why It Happens: Again, weather. High winds and heavy rains.
How To Fix It: : Slide a pry bar underneath the row of nails that connects the damage shingle to the one below it. Lift up until the nail pops and then press down on the shingle while you remove the nail. Repeat for the remaining nails. Pull out the damaged shingle, replace it with a new one, and secure it with four new nails.
Sign #: Falling Mortar
Mortars are mainly used for bedding roof junctions such as ridges and verges . You should check your mortars frequently, as these materials have a limited lifespan, and you should also look out for early signs of degeneration caused by extreme changes in the weather. These ridges and verges are highly susceptible to cracking and eventually may be dislodged and fall off in occurrences of strong winds.
Falling mortars may be a problem for older roofs where mortar was used as bedding for the tiles. If this starts to break down , then it may be an indication that the roof is reaching the end of its life. Keep in mind that mortar is best replaced rather than repaired.
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How To Troubleshoot And Fix Ceiling Leaks
- Pin
- Working Time: 2 – 12 hrs
- Total Time: 2 – 12 hrs
- Skill Level: Advanced
- Estimated Cost: $10 and up
Discoloration, sagging drywall or buckling plaster, and dripping water from your ceiling might make you think that the ceiling itself is leaking. In reality, water coming from the ceiling is usually a symptom of problems with some other home system. When a ceiling shows signs of water damage and dripping water, the place to look is with the roofing system or the plumbing system.
Water dripping from your ceiling or visible signs of water damage on the drywall or plaster above your head is nothing to take lightly. There is very likely much more water at play than you can visibly see, and ignoring a leak can lead to structural damage and the growth of mold and mildew. Ceiling leaks may be evidenced by actual water dripping down, but before the problem gets to that point, you may see blistered or peeling paint, or discoloration over a spot in the ceiling.
Before you can repair a ceiling leak, though, you will need to identify its sourceroofing system or plumbing.
Immense External Roof Damage
If you discover immense external roof damage, you will need emergency roof repair. Any roofing material can give in to violent storms. Therefore, be sure to conduct periodic roof inspections twice every year and after major storms.
If left unchecked, storm damage can call for a full roof replacement. Be sure to schedule emergency roof repair whenever you notice missing, damaged, or dented shingles.
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How To Spot Early Signs Of A Roof Leak
The roof of a single-family house can remain in good shape for 15 to 20 years. Time, weather, and the elements take their toll to create the conditions for water intrusion that can damage your important investment.
Even a hairline crack or tiny gaps in the shingles can be a point of entry for moisture, and the accumulation of water over time can cause real problems like mold, mildew, and wood rot. In many cases, the damage does not reveal itself until it is too late.
Experts with roofing companies in Alpharetta and other locations are trained to detect problems before the moisture damage gets out of hand. There are early signs that can tell you if your house has been compromised by a leaky roof.
Roof Leaking Around Chimney
The source for leaks around your chimney can be difficult to pinpoint.
If you notice moisture around your chimney during or after a rain, you may have one or multiple issues.
Starting at the top.
Perhaps your chimney cap is damaged, or maybe the chimney crown is cracked .
Or it could be that the brick or stone veneer on the chimney has cracks, or you have mortar cracks in your chimney.
These could all lead to water leaks inside and around your chimney.
If you notice the walls are damp around your chimney during or after a storm, it could be that the flashing around your chimney is loose or worn out. In either case, it is likely that the flexible sealant around the flashing has cracked and formed gaps.
Another potential cause for roof leaks around your chimney is the design of the roof above your chimney. If your steep roof creates a sharp valley where it meets the chimney, you may have a buildup of leaves, sticks or other debris that sit above your chimney.
This debris can allow water to pool or ice to build up, which makes degrades flashing and sealants and allows water to leak around your chimney.
HOW TO FIX A ROOF LEAK AROUND THE CHIMNEY
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Your Gutters Are Clogged
What Does It Look Like: You may be able to see the leaves sticking out of the gutter when you look up onto your roof. But, if not, you should notice the lack of water trickling out of a downspout during a rainstorm.
Why It Happens: Your gutters are meant to help water travel away from the roof. When a blockage forms and they get clogged, that travel stops. Rainwater will then pool in one area of the roof and have more of an opportunity to seep through cracks.
How To Fix It: Sorry, theres no easy answer to this one. Get up on a ladder, and get in there with your hands. Many recommend placing a large tarp underneath the area where you are working. That way, you can drop any debris as you go and wrap it up for easy disposal later. Clean your gutters in the spring and fall for peak water flow.
High Risk Rv Roof Leak
The front and rear corners are another high-risk leak point. Depending on your roof design, water gets trapped in the corners and will seep into your roof. Caulking was designed to repel water, but it doesnt do a good job when it is under water. If you look at your roof and see dirty build up in small depressions, and any of those are around caulk, it is at a high risk leak point. Some roof designs have a rectangle of metal trim that will hold water on the roof and cause the same type leaks. This is why it is important to walk and check your roof, youll know when it gets spongy or soft and you will be able to complete an rv roof repair without costly structural repairs.
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Warning Signs Of Roof Leaks
Your roof may be telling you something. There are various reasons why roofs leak. Here are 9 warning signs that present reasons for concern during the life of a roof.
There are also many less obvious items which allow water intrusion which are frequently missed. Small roof leaks cause rotten wood and even mold and mildew just like large leaks do. However, small roof leaks are frequently not discovered, by the untrained eye, until they are large enough to become obvious. By then complete roof replacement is frequently necessary.
The best way to be certain your roof is in tip-top shape is to have it regularly inspected by an experienced roofing professional.
Avoid Further Roof Damage With Early Detection
A solid roof protects your home from major and expensive damage. Your home is a long-term investment so it pays to be aware of the signs that its time for repairs. Sometimes, your roof will be damaged in unexpected circumstances, like a hurricane. Most of the time, however, common sources of a roof leak can be less obvious.
Routine checks of your roof are vital and can reveal underlying roof issues. Having advance notice of potential problems can save you money. A qualified technician from Water Damage and Roofing, Austin will thoroughly inspect your roof to determine what issues could be causing your current leak or problems that may lead to a leaky roof in the future.
Ignoring these 10 indicators of a roof leak can lead to extensive damage to your home and more expensive repairs.
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The 10 Most Common Causes Of Roof Leaks
Whether your home is big or small, the last thing anyone wants is a roof leak. Image Via: Prentiss ArchitectsLets face it: No one wants to have to go running for a drip bucket every time it rains. Not only is having to stay on top of the weather forecast annoying and impractical, but that one small drip symbolizes a larger roofing issue and we all know that roofing issues mean an investment of time and money.
In an effort to save you that investment, weve compiled a list of The 10 Most Common Causes of Roof Leaks. Well tell you what they look like, why they happen, and how to fix them.
Whether your roof is two years old or twenty keep this list handy. You never know when it could mean the difference between doing a quick repair or a major remodel.
Your Flashing Has Cracked
What Does It Look Like: Flashing are thin pieces of metal that are installed under shingles and on the joints of your roof in order to create a water-resistant barrier, which can be concealed or exposed. If exposed, they will look like long runs of sheet metal and, if concealed, they will have a rubberized coating overtop. Broken flashing will feature large cracks
Why It Happens: Roofers often use tar to seal the flashing together and that can corrode over time. In the event that your flashing is left exposed, elements like wind and rain could be the reason behind its crack.
How To Fix It: : Once you locate the source of the leak, pry up the nails used to secure the old flashing. Lift any shingles out of the way and remove the cracked segment. Gently put a new run of flashing in its place, fasten the new flashing in the same pattern as your old piece using roofing nails. Then, apply a coat of roofing sealant to the nail heads. Routinely check flashing around your chimney and vents to ensure that cracks arent letting in moisture.
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Signs Of Roof Leaks On The Outside:
If youre wondering if your roof is springing in leaks, you should always check the roofs condition from the outside. Through visual inspection from the ground level using binoculars, look out for buckling or curling shingles, missing shingles, or torn-away gutters.
Its also worth checking your exterior walls to see if you can spot any signs of excess mold, moss, or fungi growth. These growths tend to thrive in moist or wet conditions, which a leaky roof can easily trigger.
Other common signs of roof leaks from the outside include:
- Exposed flashing or underlayment
- Gutters pulling away from the house
- Loose boots around vent pipes
- Branches or limbs on your roof
- Mold or moss growing on your roof
Inspect Your Roof Plumbing
If you have plumbing running through your roof, such as vent pipes, exhaust pipes or fan ducts, you need to ensure they stay sealed. Sealed and flashed holes in your roof around pipes can wear down after periods of extreme weather or high rainfall, and need to be kept in check.
If your roof leaks intermittently, take note of the wind direction, strength and rain angles at the times when it leaks as this information is valuable and makes us more efficient and cost-effective when we come to access, trace and repair the source of such roof leaks.
If youre having trouble locating the source of a roof leak, need help with the repairs, or just want to take preventative measures, Our trained plumbers can make sure any leak is sealed quickly and effectively before they become a bigger problem. We can also advise on any potential future problems your roof might face, helping to reduce the chance of further damage.
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Signs That Tell The Furnace Is Leaking Carbon Monoxide And The Location
There are a few signs that tell the furnace is leaking carbon monoxide. These are:
1. Yellow or flickering flame this is usually a blue color so this is a sign that the unit may be burning carbon monoxide
2. Moisture around windows or walls this is an indicator of a leaking furnace
3. Streaks of soot black, brown or yellow soot stains may be indicating that carbon monoxide is leaking
4. Rust on the vent pipe water and moisture may have leaked out, thus indicating a leak in the furnace
These are signs because it means that the burner is not receiving enough air so it is causing improper combustion. This then produces high levels of carbon monoxide.
These signs above will show up on the locations below:
