When water starts trickling in through your roof, your first thought might be that some of the shingles must have blown off, allowing the water to come in. But what happens when you climb up on the roof and realize that there are no shingles missing or peeling? The leak must have another cause. In fact, there are several issues, aside from missing shingles, that can cause leaky roofs.
Loose or bent flashing
The metal collars around your chimney and other projections from your roof are known as flashings. These are meant to create water-tight seal between the shingles and the items protruding from the roof. If the flashing becomes loose or bent, water may seep in. So, take a close look at any flashing, and make sure it is intact and flush with the item it surrounds. If you notice any bends, dents, or imperfections in the flashing, give your roofing company a call. Replacing flashing will require the removal and replacement of shingles in the area, and it must be done very precisely to avoid future leaks. Unless you're incredibly handy, this is not a DIY-friendly task.
Exposed nail heads
The nail heads on one sheet of shingles should be covered by the sheet of shingles above it when your roof is applied. Any nails that do end up exposed should be covered in a glob of roofing tar or cement. Otherwise, water may seep in around the nail heads. If your leak is very small, this might be the issue you're dealing with. Take a look at the roof in the area around the leak. If you see any nail heads exposed, pound them down so that they're flush with the roof. Then, use a little spatula or scraper to apply a glob of roofing cement over the nail. (You can buy roofing cement in small tubes at most home improvement stores.)
Backed up gutters
Even if the shingles appear to be in good shape, if your gutters get filled with water and allow water to sit along the edge of the roof for hours on end, small amounts may seep in beneath the shingles. Take a look at your gutters, and if you see any debris inside of them, scoop it out. Run water through the gutters using a garden hose until the water flows freely through them. Once your gutters are clear, water should drain off your roof more promptly, so leaks should not be an issue.
For a roofing contractor, contact a company such as Pro-Tech Contracting Inc.
