Roofing leaks can cause significant water damage throughout the entire house, from the attic to the foundation. It is much more cost-effective and convenient to prevent leaks than to deal with them after they have already appeared. Handle some simple routine maintenance to prevent the most common sources of leaks.

How Can You Prevent Roofing Leaks?

1. Inspect the Flashing

Inspect the roof a couple of times per year and check the flashing. The flashing is a thin piece of metal that lines the edges of the roof where the shingles cannot provide adequate protection. You should see this reflective material along the ridges of the roof and around protrusions such as the vents and chimney. Any tears or spots where the material is missing altogether should be repaired.

2. Replace Damaged Shingles

Check the shingles during your inspection as well. Any shingles that are cracked, buckling, or curling upward at the edges will need to be replaced. The same applies if the shingle is missing altogether; you may be able to see these from the ground, as the spot with the missing shingle will look darker than the rest of the roof.

3. Clean the Gutters

Get up on a ladder and clean out your gutters once every few months for most of the year, with a monthly cleaning in the fall when trees are losing their leaves. Clogged gutters cause water to back up onto the roof, which is not designed to support sitting water. If you want to protect your gutters with less cleaning required, you can add leaf guards. This screen sits over the gutter to catch debris before it falls into the gutter.

4. Replace When Necessary 

As you clean your gutters, look for black granules that look like coarse sand. Once these start to appear in your gutters, it means your asphalt shingles have reached the end of their lifespan and are deteriorating. This generally happens once the roof reaches around 20 years of age and means it’s time to schedule a roof replacement.

5. Trim Surrounding Trees

When trees hang down too close to the roof, they can sway in the wind and scrape along the roofing. This will cause enough damage to spring a leak. Keep all trees trimmed back at least six feet from the roof. Avoid having any branches directly over the roof, since they will clog up gutters when they drop their leaves, and any falling branches could land on top of the home.

 

The full-service general contractor at ZCI Residential will help you protect your roofing. They are based in Cedarville, OH, and provide their services to homeowners throughout the area. Whether you need a simple repair or a completely new roof, they will handle your job with top-of-the-line craftsmanship backed by manufacturer warranties. Ask about their discounts for veterans, active-duty military, and first responders. Learn more on their website and call (937) 697-5063 for a free estimate.