Reasons Your Roof May Be Leaking

A roof is a multi-layered structure with many parts and accessories. Roof flashing is what keeps water off your concrete tile roof and out of your home. Learn more about roof flashing and how to identify when it needs replacing so your Midwest home stays safe and dry.

Here are Common Reasons Your Roof May be Leaking:

  • Aging of Roof
  • Gutters that are Clogged
  • Flashing that is faulty
  • Broken tiles

Learn to identify all the parts that make up your roof.

What Is Roof Flashing?

Every roof has joints in several places, such as eaves, chimneys, skylights, vent pipes, and walls. These crevices are vulnerable to water leaks without additional protection. A thin piece of metal called flashing is installed at these joints to divert water downwards away from the roof and any gaps and towards the gutters. This is an essential step that roofing professionals in the Midwest never skip.

What Causes Damage To Roof Flashing?

Roof flashing is a crucial piece of protection for your home, but it does not last forever. Annual inspections can help alert you to roof flashing vulnerabilities early so they can be addressed before any structural damage occurs.

Human Error

Shop around before hiring a roofer. A low bid may mean that they are using low-quality flashing materials to save money and increase their profit margin and their chance of getting hired. Cheaper flashing made from regular aluminum does not hold up to the elements as well as stronger metal options.

Flashing also needs to be flexible to hold up to contraction and expansion during the extreme temperature changes that are common in the Midwest. Rigid flashing can cause premature damage.

It is also important that there is enough flashing around particularly vulnerable areas like chimneys and pipe vents. A second layer of flashing called counterflashing is helpful at these junctures.

Inexperienced roofers may also cause damage to the roof by stepping on it incorrectly. The smallest misstep can dent flashing and render it useless. These types of mistakes can lead to very costly roof repair or replacement.

Weather Conditions

Extreme weather and storms affect every part of your roof and the flashing is no exception. Rain and wind weaken the flashing’s structure while snow and ice may seep underneath and refreeze. Inspections after storm season can catch these issues right away.

Time

Like all roofing materials, flashing gets less stable with time. Rusting, bending, and warping are the most common age-related imperfections to roof flashing. The roof membrane also shrinks over time, causing an issue called tenting in the flashing. When these issues occur, reroofing may be the best option.

Signs Your Midwest Home
Needs Roof Flashing

Roof flashing is not optional if you want to protect your Midwest home from water damage. If you notice the following issues during an inspection, it is time to repair or replace your home’s roof flashing:

  • Dents and bends that may lead to leaks and rust
  • Rust or corrosion to flashing
  • Holes in flashing: even the smallest holes can let water in
  • Leaks and water damage in the home may mean the flashing is vulnerable and not doing its job

Reroofing With Roof Tile In The Midwest

If your flashing is damaged, the best solution may be to start from scratch with a roof replacement.