How To Prevent Roof Leaks

Most commercial property owners and residential property owners focus on roof leaks when they happen. They don’t realize that the best way to prevent roof leaks is through the regular inspection and maintenance of the roof.

When you do not maintain your roof, it can present with a leak when you least expect it. Roof leaks can be quite problematic. First of all, finding the leak can be an exhaustive experience, even for professional roofers. And when the leak is discovered, it is usually quite expensive to fix.

The costs of a roof replacement are not trivial and can range from $5,000-$15,000 depending on the size and extent of the leak. It is thus important to ensure that the roof is well maintained and regularly inspected. The cost for maintenance usually turns out to be much less than what you would pay to restore or replace the roof.

How to Prevent Roof Leaks

Here are some tips on how you can prevent roof leaks:

• Check the interior first.

  •  Roofing experts recommend that all homeowners check the inside of their home regularly. This means going to the attic at least twice a year. With a flashlight in hand, check the attic for any signs of water stains, any collection of water, dampness or obvious leaks from the roof. In addition, check to see if the light from the outside is penetrating into the attic as this can be a sign of a torn or damaged shingle.

• Check the ceiling and walls.

  •  Do this in all the rooms for water stains and dampness. Unfortunately, in most cases, by the time one detects a leak or a water stain on the walls, the problem has already become quite bad.

• Check the roof.

  •  Obviously, the best way to determine if there is a leak on the roof is to check the roof itself. Unfortunately, the way most homes are built today, the majority of homeowners do not know how to get on a roof. Even if they did manage to do it, they wouldn’t know where to begin looking for a leak. There is also a question of safety.  Only homeowners who possess a ladder and have experience with checking for damage should attempt to check the roof on their own. If you do manage to get onto the roof, check the status of the shingles to see if they are damaged, curled, torn or discolored. Sometimes with regular environmental wear and tear, the shingles can break down. You will be able to figure that out if you see ‘shingles soil’ accumulated at the site. You should also look around the chimney to ensure that it is stable and that the bricks are intact. Look at the gutters and downspouts to determine their attachment to the roof is firm; at the same time check the gutters for obstruction with debris. If the gutters are obstructed, then water from the roof cannot exit and will collect on the roof, eventually leading to a leaky roof.

Since most homeowners may not even own a ladder, the best way to check the roof is with the help of a roofing professional. One can enroll in a maintenance plan where the professional contractor comes twice a year and performs a thorough check of the interior and exterior of the home for a leaking roof. These maintenance plans are the best way to increase the shelf life of your roof and protect your home.

Prevent Roof Leaks with Lanier Roofing

Roof leaks can be quite bothersome to deal with. After all, your home is your shelter. It is a place where you and your family members reside day in, day out. Any problems, especially of this nature, can make things difficult for you and your family members. If you own a commercial property, the number of people who might be affected by roof leaks is even higher. That is why it is always advisable to have a preventive plan in place. At Lanier Roofing, we have a team of highly trained roofing experts who can inspect your property regularly to ensure that any problems are identified earlier on and repaired/replaced immediately. This way, the roof will stay intact, and the damage will not be as costly. Call us today at Lanier Roofing to find out about our roof maintenance, roof repair, and roof restoration services.