Roof leaks do happen from time to time, and they can happen for a number of reasons. The biggest problem is that homeowners don’t notice them early enough, and that can result in more damage than they bargained for. So what can you do to help detect leaks faster and how you can have them repaired? First of all, prevention is key, so there are some steps you can take beforehand to prevent leaks from happening or becoming worse.
Caulking The Chimney
If you were to book an appointment with Primo Roofing of Philadelphia, you might be informed that caulking your chimney would be a good first step in preventing leaks from getting worse. Most homeowners assume that the ceilings in their homes are a safe space from leaking, but they would be mistaken. Many would assume that they were built with leak prevention in mind, but the real damage takes place when there is no caulking. Especially in an area like the chimney, which as more exposure to the outside, caulking around it is important.
Clearing the Gutters
Gutters are notorious for gathering leaves in autumn, and this can cause water to gather. Most times, it spills out onto the ground, but it can also pool against your roof which can then get into your home’s walls. Clean your gutters out on a regular basis to prevent this from happening.
Trim The Trees
Tree limbs that hang over your roof can dump a lot of water onto it when it’s raining. Prune them on a regular basis, especially when the weather is nice, and remove any loose branches that are near to your gutters. One strong wind can break these off and damage your gutter as well as your roof.
Examine Your Roof For Damaged Shingles
It’s not very often that homeowners take a look at their roofs and examine them for damage. They pretty much assume that they’re strong enough to withstand everything and that if there’s a problem, it will be easy enough to fix. But missing shingles and holes happen all the time, and they’re not so easy to see from the ground. Replace shingles that are peeling up as soon as possible to minimize the chances of your roof’s structure becoming waterlogged and leaking.
Carefully Examine The Layers
Beneath your roof is a layer of wood that can wear out with time. If the wood becomes soft, then they’re likely water damage to it and it should be taken care of immediately. You will have to have the wood replaced before a leak actually happens so that the damage isn’t worse when a leak occurs. The soft wood could be a result of having leaky pipes so you’ll likely need to have these examined as well.
Depending on the damage that has been done to your roof, a few small repairs may be all you need to keep you covered. You should speak to a provider as soon as possible to take care of these damages or at least conduct an examination to ensure that your roof is still in good order.
