Common roof leaks and causes

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Leaking roofs can usually be repaired quite easily depending on how severe the damage to the roof is. By locating the general area of the roof leak on your home the problem can be isolated and fixed fairly easily. Most roof repair contractors can locate the cause of a roof leak quickly and will often explain the problem in "RoofEase", what we like to call the language of roof repair contractors. This website should help you to interpret the work that needs to be done in different terms.

Patch repairs may work until the roof can be replaced. We usually don't suggest wasting money on them though. A water proof tarp would work better than this attempted patch by a handyman. This repair was done improperly and caused more roof leak problems than before!

Missing Shingles usually occur after high winds (40 MPH or more) catch the shingle and tear it from the rooftop. Usually the missing shingles can be found in your yard or the yard of a neighbor.

Drip edge is a metal flashing that acts as an extension of the roof. It does not "have" to be installed on every home but it helps to keep water from blowing behind the gutter and then leaking into the walls and soffits on homes. This photo shows that the drip edge was not installed along with the roofing when it should have been used.

Ice Dams usually occure from improper insulation in attics. They can also be caused by gutter guards and debris on roofs.

Caulking on flashing usually lasts for many years but when it begins to crack roof leaks can occur quickly.

Nail pops are difficult to spot on some roofs and usually cause small leaks at first. In time they can cause plywood to weaken and rot with no prior warning or signs of leaks.

Tree branches can easly catch shingles and tear them from the roof during light winds. Tree branches should be kept pruned 3'-5' from roofing and siding.

Chimney's can hold water and allow it to form a small puddle or pond if not installed correctly. We usually suggest installing a cricket, which will deflect water away from the chimney.

Vent pipe collars have a rubber gasket that stretches around vent pipes. These gaskets usually rip and tear causing leaks in bathrooms and kitchens or as far as 10' away.

Ridge vents allow heat to escape from attics but high winds can cause them to lift up or blow off allowing rain and animals to enter.

Henry's Housework Inc.
Office: 301-216-9675 Fax: 301-216-9679
13433 Tilford Court Germantown, Maryland 20874
Our residential services are available in these and other cities in Montgomery County Maryland

Our Technicians clean, repair and install gutters and gutter guards to prevent flooded
basements and other damages.

Our technicians are some of the best trained staff in the nation! With certifications from PWNA, Alliance, ABR and many others, you can trust us to do the job right!

Roof repairs and inspections. Our trained technicians can usually solve your roof leak problems for less money than you think!

Nuisance wildlife trapping, ice dam removal and other services are also available. Find out more here!

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