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7 Ways to Prevent Roof Leaks – A Guide from the Roofing Professionals at A-Top

These Maintenance Tips will help you Prevent Roof Leaks and Prolong the Lifespan of your Roof

Roof leaks are one of the most common reasons homeowners call in a roofing professional for roof maintenance. Usually roof leaks are detected only after they have done moderate or considerable damage inside a home. This is what makes roof leaks one of the costliest issues for homeowners. At A-Top Roofing, we encourage customers to act preventively and be proactive in keeping their roof in a good shape by having regular inspections by the professionals.

Make Regular Roof Inspections a Top Priority

Finding the source of roof leaks can be a very tough task for a homeowner. They will rarely line up with the areas where you see water getting into your home, such as spots on your walls and ceilings, blisters, paint peeling, and similar issues.

It takes an experienced professional with a trained eye to detect the path of the water and locate the source of the leak before it spreads and turns into a bigger leak with serious and expensive consequences.

All major roof problems can be avoided with a comprehensive roof maintenance plan. The first step is to call your local roofer, set up a date, and have your roof professionally inspected.

Check Your Attic for Roof Leaks

There are certain areas that your roofer will advise you to pay attention to, and one of them will be the attic.

Therefore, before you start inspecting different aspects of your roof outside, make sure that there is nothing inside your home that may be causing leaks. The attic is probably the least obvious culprit of a roof leak and, therefore, is very often overlooked.

Attic ventilation should be the first thing you inspect. Make sure that the parts of the ventilation, such as the soffit vents, louvers or ridge vents, are never blocked as their blockage can lead to dangerous moisture and heat buildup.

This buildup can cause the insulation to soak and lose its functionality, the shingles to buckle, or the sheathing and rafters to rot. The intake vent can also sometimes be clogged, so try to inspect your entire ventilation system and clean it thoroughly.

Other signs of leaks and moisture buildup can be mold present in the attic, which can easily and quickly spread, as well as signs of algae on the interior plywood or black stains or rust around any of the nails in the attic and roof structure.

Click here to learn more about A-Top’s mold remediation services.

Inspecting your Roof’s Flashing

Your roof flashing is a common source of roof leaks. It refers to all the metal, or sometimes vinyl pieces of material that are used to connect the different parts of your roof, such as skylights, chimneys, vents, or the places where the wall and roof meet.

You should check for gaps or holes in the flashing and make sure that it is not loose, bent, or damaged in any way.

A-Top Roofing, with a trained and experienced eye, is much more likely to notice any issues with flashing, issues that may easily escape you. To be on the safe side, have a roofing expert take another look and inspect your roof.

Your Roof’s “Drip Edge”

Your roof’s drip edge has a very important function which keeps the water off the roof and away from the fascia. When inspecting this part, it is important to locate any damages and especially missing drip edges.

When a drip edge is missing, there will be a gap between the fascia board and the roof deck where the water can get in. The water can then cause the wood to rot as well as find its way into the interior walls and ceilings.

Apart from that, these gaps can also be entry points for different insects and other critters, which is an additional reason to make sure your drip edges are safely in place and functioning properly.

Maintain Your Gutter System

Gutters and downspouts are very important parts of a home and it’s roof system and play an integral part in preventing water damage and roof leaks.

They should be a part of your regular roof maintenance and inspection plan and be cleaned at least twice a year.

Gutters can get clogged by dirt, leaves, branches, twigs, pine needles, and any other outdoor debris that falls into them. This can happen more often if there are trees and bushes around your home, so you should make a habit of inspecting the gutters from time to time and schedule a professional annual cleaning to maximize their lifespan.

A roofing professional will inspect your gutter system, making sure it is clean so that the water can drain properly, as well as make sure that they are properly fastened, properly pitched, and secured to the home’s exterior.

Keep an Eye on Trees and Branches Close to Your Home  

Large trees that overhang your roof areas, as well as trees and bushes that are too close to your home, can pose certain risks to your home and your roof.

They can create shaded and damp areas allowing for moss and mold to grow, they can damage your roof if they are close enough to it, scratch the roofing material, and even puncture it or the windows during strong winds and storms. Apart from that, there will be more debris buildup in your gutters, increasing the chances of gutter clogs.

Trimming back these branches or removing a problematic tree altogether may increase the lifespan of your gutters and help prevent roof leaks in the long run.

Prevent Roof Leaks Before They Happen – Call Your Roofing Professionals!

Have your roof inspected regularly by A-Top Roofing and Construction to stay ahead of any trouble with roof leaks in the future. Call 732.446.6341 or click here!

For over 35 years, A-Top Roofing and Construction has led the industry with best practices, best products and award-winning service. For over 35 years, they have specialized in repairing roof leaks and roof maintenance plans.

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