Your roof is there to protect your home, but it can develop leaks due to various reasons. According to Windy City Home Inspection, almost 20% of home inspectors located a problem with the roof. If you discover that your roof is leaking, here are the common reasons behind this situation.

Damaged Shingles

When shingles get damaged, they can no longer protect against water intrusion. Shingles can experience all kinds of damage. Usually, shingles are blown away by strong winds, or they crack, curl, or start peeling. When this happens, you need to contact your roofing contractor to replace the damaged shingles and keep your home protected.

Damaged Flashing

Flashing is an essential component of your roof that creates a barrier preventing your roof from leaking. These thin pieces of matter are placed in strategic places, such as the joints in your roof, to prevent water from penetrating. However, when your flashing is cracked, it now becomes the source of a leak and needs the attention of a reputable roofing contractor.

Cracked Chimney, Vent Booting, or Valleys

Flashing is not the only component of your roof that can crack. Other components, such as your chimney and vent booting, can also crack, leaving your roof vulnerable. In addition, the sealing around your valleys may also wear away. This usually happens because of normal wear and tear. Although roofs tend to be pretty durable, keep in mind that they are constantly exposed to harsh weather elements. Before fixing the leak, your roofing contractor will perform an inspection and provide you with a fair assessment of the state of your roof. If your roof is nearing the end of its life expectancy, it's probably wise to start planning for a roof replacement.

Clogged Gutters and Ice Dam Build Up

Clogged gutters are an often overlooked cause of roof leaks. Your gutters will need to be cleaned so that water can travel in the right direction. To avoid roof leaks caused by ice dam built up, you need to clear snow off your roof as quickly as possible.

As you can see, your roof can develop a leak for all sorts of reasons. The most important thing is to get in touch with a roofing contractor immediately. Otherwise, when roof leaks are not fixed on time, they can result in expensive water damage, which further leads to mold growth. Get in touch with us today to discuss how best we can repair the leaks in your roof on time.