Common Places a Roof Can Leak

The roof of your home is arguably one of the largest investments you’ll make. So naturally, if your roof is leaking, you’ll want to limit the damage before it gets any worse. It can be pretty easy to spot a leak from inside your home based on discoloration or stains on your ceiling, but it can be quite the challenge trying to pinpoint exactly where the water is seeping through on the outside. To start, you may want to consider checking your roof for:

Damaged or Missing Shingles

If your roof is older, has never been replaced, or was improperly installed, broken shingles may very well be the source of your leaking issue. A severe storm can produce strong winds that can cause shingles to lift off of your roof, creating just enough space for water to infiltrate.

Chimney Leaks

There are several points on a chimney that make it a prime culprit for leaks. Chimneys tend to collect water, which can then seep into any cracks in the walls. Another common place on chimneys that can lead to leaks is the flashing—metal that is meant to keep the area between a chimney and a roof sealed off.

Skylight Sealing Problems

Skylights can be a nice addition to a home, but can lead to a number of issues if not maintained or installed correctly. If your skylight is not properly fitted for your home, chances are the weather seal around the glass is not seated correctly, allowing water to seep into the sides.

Plumbing/Vent Pipes

Designed to allow air to escape from the home, vent pipes come out of the roof and can be another common area for a leak to occur. After years of battling the elements, the flashing around a vent pipe can begin to deteriorate, exposing the rubber seal beneath it.

We’ll Find Even the Toughest of Leaks

If you have checked all of these common areas on your roof and still can’t seem to find the source of your leak, don’t delay in contacting a roofing contractor immediately. At Merritt Roofing, we provide residents in the Carolinas with free roof inspections, where we’ll identify the source of leaks, assess the damage, and provide a comprehensive report of our findings along with a list of recommendations.

Contact us today to schedule a roof inspection and learn about our roofing repair, replacement, and restoration solutions.