There is no secret about the fact that roofing leaks are bad news for the structural integrity of your home. Unfortunately, that fact doesn't make the source of leaks any more easy to diagnose. If you would like to increase your ability to pinpoint the source of a roofing leak, read on. This article will discuss two locations where roofing leaks frequently occur.
Step Flashing
Anywhere a section of roof meets a perpendicular wall, you will find step flashing—or at least you should! Step flashing performs the vital function of keeping rainwater and other precipitation from penetrating the vulnerable joint between roof and wall and instead channels it down to your gutters. In the absence of such flashing, water would have no trouble working its way inside of your home.
Roof leaks are often a sign that such step flashing is either corroded, loose, or missing entirely. Be sure to inspect any places where a roof abuts a wall to ensure that your step flashing remains uncompromised. If you notice that the flashing has become rusted or cracked, replace it at once. To do this, you will need to first remove the shingles running along the edge of that section of roof.
This will allow you to pry up the nails holding the compromised flashing in place. Likewise, you may need to remove some portion of the wall's siding in order to loosen the flashing's attachment points there. Don't reuse old nail holes when attaching your new flashing to the wall. To prevent the intrusion of water, it is important that the flashing be held as flush as possible to the wall.
Attic Venting
Attic vents, also know simply as roof vents, are a common feature of every home. Their purpose is to provide ventilation and temperature regulation to your attic. By helping to keep the attic temperature as low as possible, roof vents can significantly reduce the cooling load of your home. However, they can also become the source of persistent and potentially damaging leaks.
Attic vents may be constructed out of either metal or plastic, with both types being capable of developing leaks over time. Metal vents tend to succumb to cracks and corrosion, especially at the corners and seams. Plastic, on the other hand, can become warped or even cracked from constant exposure to the sun's rays. Regardless of which type of roofing vent you have, it is important to replace damaged units as soon as possible.
For more information, contact local professionals like Roof Right.
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