A persistent roof leak is incredibly frustrating, both for homeowners and professional roofers trying to fix the source of a leak.
Roof leaks can be caused by a variety of issues, and a roofer needs to inspect the roof, identify the source and cause of the leak, then determine the best course of action. There are numerous reasons why identifying and fixing the exact nature of a leak can be challenging, including:
Poor Roof Design and Installation
A poor roof design or installation can result in a myriad of problems, even if your roof is relatively new. Design problems such as a poor roof pitch, shallow roof valleys that run into each other, or upper roofs draining into lower roofs, can make your home vulnerable to weather and leaks. Similarly, poorly installed whirly birds and skylights, inadequate sealing, or poor roof plumbing and ventilation can result in roof damage that causes leaks.
Complex Roof Structure
Roofs constructed of more than one material, or intricate roof designs with irregular hips and valleys, can make identify the source and entry point of a roof leak very difficult as water can appear inside your home far from the source of the leak.
Roof Accessibility
Roofs with high areas, steep pitches/or slopes, or complex angles may be difficult to access, making roof leaks harder to identify, and repairs more challenging and potentially dangerous.
Water Flow and Pathways
Before it enters the interior of your home, water may travel along beams, rafters, or other structures, making it challenging to identify the external source of your leak. Frustratingly, the ‘symptoms’ of your leak such as water stains, dripping ceilings, or mould, could be a long way from the cause!
Previous Roofing Repairs
Previous roof repairs can sometimes mask the area where water ingress is occurring. This may be in the form of a waterproofing paint/membrane that has been applied or painted over the leak area, making it difficult to determine the water ingress area or causes for the roof leaks. Also, if the previous repairer has repaired the area with incompatible materials, or material installation hasn’t been installed to the manufacturer’s guidelines, or the repair work is simply poor or inadequate, it can lead to further damage and roof deterioration.
Age and Wear
Like any other aspect of a building, a roof deteriorates over time, especially when it is exposed to harsh weather conditions. Aging roofing materials like tiles, flashing and capping, can crack and weaken, especially if they haven’t been well maintained. Significant structural issues such as rotting beams and damaged drainage can also be a cause of water leaks.
Always use a Professional Roofer
Quality roof leak detection requires expert knowledge that only a professional roofer can provide. Always use a qualified and experienced roofer such as Gutter and Roof Repairs, who conduct a thorough roof inspection and identify not only the source of your roof leak, but also the best course of action, whether it be roof repairs, roof restoration, or a roof replacement.
Gutter and Roof Repairs are Brisbane roofing experts, committed to quality products and outstanding workmanship. We work with all types of roofing materials, are members of Master Builders Queensland and Queensland Building and Construction Commission QBCC, and have over 20 years’ experience protecting homes from the worst of Brisbane and Ipswich weather.