There are many different areas where your roof can leak. The areas that are most prone to leaking are your roof vents, pipes, chimney, valleys, and skylights. All of these areas have great potential to leak if not properly installed and caulked. As a homeowner, it is very important to have annual roof maintenance to ensure that the wind and elements have not compromised the roofs integrity.
Many homes have the old metal ridge vent installed onto their ridge lines. These ridge vents a notorious for leaking. Do not install this antiquated system onto your roof structure. If you have this system installed on your roof, it is best to remove the metal ridge vents and install new 12 inch square vents. No caulking or preventive maintenance will keep this system form leaking.
Soil pipes which are the ventilation system for your plumbing has the potential to leak. The boot covers around the PVC pipes dry out and crack which allows water to enter your home. Rubber gaskets and tar cement should keep this from happening. If you can afford the money, you can swap out the boot covers for as little as $7.00 dollars per pipe.
If your home has a fireplace, then you may have dealt with a chimney leak in the past. Many roofing contractors do not install the flashing or the shingles correctly. Most roofers are unsure how to properly install and maintain a chimney. Brick and Stucco require two sets of metal (step flashing / counter flashing) to water proof the base of the chimney. Caulking of the seams will provide additional support for years to come. GAF has a manual that will explain the proper installation for all types of chimneys.
Debris in your valleys can cause severe roof leaks and cost you thousands in damages. A roof should be cleaned from leaves and limbs at least twice a year. A roof inspection of your valleys is in order as well. The valleys receive most of the water when it is raining and it is important to re-seal each seam each and every year.
Many homeowners have traditional skylights installed onto their roof structure. Over time the glass and metal frame become frail and brittle and they will begin to leak. You should replace your skylights every ten years whether they are leaking or not. Annual roof coatings at the base of the frame will prevent most roof leaks prior to the ten year time frame for replacement.
Our roofing company is dedicated to Fulton County Georgia. We look forward to providing free roof estimates and roof evaluations. Please feel free to contact us at anytime.
