3 Common Causes of Roof Leaks 

Roof leaks are more than just an annoying inconvenience – they cause severe property damage that could cost you thousands of dollars to fix. Leaky roofs lead to dangerous mold and mildew growth, destroy your insulation, and ruin your home’s ceilings and walls. The best way to avoid property damage due to roof leaks is to work with a Richmond roofing contractor that you trust and get regular inspections and maintenance, or even a full roof replacement when necessary.  

The Richmond roofers at BNW Builders will inspect your roof for any current or potential leaks and perform any necessary maintenance and repairs to keep your roof (and your entire home) in great shape. Stay on the lookout for these three common causes of roof leaks so that you and your Richmond roofers can catch them early before they become serious problems.

1. Damaged or Missing Shingles

Your roof’s shingles can become dislodged due to extreme weather, high winds, or due simply to age. Missing shingles expose the weaker underlayers of your roof to the elements, which will quickly lead to a leak. If your roof is 20 years old or more, it’s especially important that you get it inspected by a reputable roofing contractor in Richmond like BNW Builders as soon as possible to make sure you don’t have hidden leaks.

• Cracked Flashing or Rubber “Boots”

Flashing and rubber “boots” are materials that seal roof transitions between your roof and walls, plumbing vents, skylights, and more. Flashing is made of metal and is usually adhered to your roof and the adjoining wall with caulk or tar. When the caulk or tar rots or the flashing itself cracks, water can easily make its way into your home. Similarly, when the rubber “boots” around your plumbing vents and skylights dry rot or crack, rainwater will start to leak into your attic or ceiling.

• Dislodged Roofing Nails

Roofing nails will sometimes back out of your roof and leave small holes that can be very hard to detect if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Even though they’re small, these holes still create a clear pathway for water to leak into your home. Trained, experienced Richmond roofers will be able to spot and rectify roofing nail holes during a routine inspection.