How roof leaks can cause serious water damage

People far too often lack a proper concern for the roofs that hang over their heads, because leaking roofs commonly create problems that appear to be on the surface. Signs such as stains, or warping in the ceiling, are often ignored and considered only as a cosmetic issue. But, a neglected leak can lead to much more serious damage due to water inside the building’s interior. Rotting wood can compromise the building’s strength, foundation, and overall structure.

Leaks have a multitude of causes, and these causes can be traced back to poor workmanship or natural wear and tear from the elements. Whatever the case, there are many ways to prevent leaks, and notice potential structural issues that could lead to them.

The first step is to take notice, and to garner proper concern. Just as with anything else around one’s home or building, a proper maintenance schedule should be incorporated. For rooftops, such a schedule is going to be determined by the region that a person lives in. For one living in a sunnier region, where the weather remains moderate throughout the seasons, it’s probably not necessary to check and repair a roof more than two or three times a year. A person living in an area with more irregular weather is going to have to build a schedule in accordance to the seasons, particularly the ones in which stormy weather can cause the most potential damage.

A key thing to look for when conducting maintenance is weather damage. It is very important to check for changes in one’s rooftop, often after particularly violent storms, a tumultuous rainy season, or a long and cold winter. Shingles may be missing, breaks and cracks are signs that there could be water damage from ice or snow, and of course heavy rainfall may have found its way past the defense of shingles.

One of the best ways to prevent water damage from roof leaks, is to make sure that the structure overall has been built and maintained properly. Properly installed chimneys will prevent pooling of water, well insulated attics will reduce the amount of ice that forms on rooftops, a clean roof and clear gutters will also help prevent potential clusters of water that threaten a roof’s structure.

If your roof has been damaged, there are some quick solutions that will 1)prevent further damage and 2)save a lot of money. Patching is highly advised against, for it can potentially cause more damage. A waterproof tarp would be a better temporal solution. Quick, easy, and affordable solutions can be found at the nearest hardware store or even in a web search. But, the best way to repair a leaking roof and water damage, is to prevent it from happening in the first place.

1. Turn off the Water
When you notice a leak, the very first thing you should do is to shut off the water. If turning off the water on the appliance that is leaking doesn’t work, or you’re not sure where the water is leaking from, then shut off the main water valve. It should be located where cold water enters your house, inside in colder climates and outside in warmer climates. Main water valves are also sometimes near the water heater.

2. Mop up the Mess
As soon as you have turned off the water, the leak will need to be cleaned up. Remove as much water as you can with a mop, rags, or towels, until there is no water visible in the leak area. This needs to be done as soon as is possible because water can soak into floors, ceilings, and walls very quickly.

3. Dry Completely
After you’ve removed most of the water, play it safe and ventilate the damaged area. Open doors and windows around the house to let some air flow through. You can also put some stand-up or sitting fans in front of the leak area for a few hours to make sure it’s all dry.

4. Check Surrounding Areas
After you’ve taken care of the immediate area, look around to make sure no other area is affected. Water has a way of getting around without being seen. If the leak occurred upstairs, go downstairs and check your ceilings and walls.

5. Check Ventilation
The best way to prevent leaks from the roof (from melted ice dams or heavy rain) or another room upstairs is by having proper ventilation. Make sure the soffit is properly ventilated; with holes all down the side. Even after a leak has occurred, checking and updating your ventilation will help keep fresh air in the room and prevent mold and/or decay.

6. Install Leak Detection System
One easy way to prevent water damage is to install a water leak detection system. This system will alert you when a leak in your home is detected, saving you possible thousands the first time it works. Some systems even shut off all the water in your home automatically when a leak is detected, giving you peace of mind when you’re away from home.

7. Call a Specialist
After you’ve done all you can yourself for the water leak, call a specialist to come and take a look at the effected area. If the leak was small and easy to manage, don’t bother, but if the leak was large and may have sunk into the floors or walls then it is important to make sure damage isn’t still being done to your home.

Water damage can affect a huge risk to your home. It can be owing to leaks, floods, overflowing water supplies, ice dams on the roof, increase of water in the basement, or leaking home devices which use water. A number of these damages are simply visible, but others are not simply noticeable.

Keeping a regular check on your home is essential; as this means that you can establish the cause of a leak instantly and lessen the water damages that may occur to your property. They can lead to huge damages to different parts of your house if unnoticed.

Below are suggestions to assist you in checking your home for water damage:

-Be certain that your gutters are not dripping or overflowing. No accumulation should be there and constantly keep a watch particularly in the rainy periods.

-Your water meter can attest to be incredibly useful in spotting leaks. Check it by closing all your water supply and note down the reading. If there is a variation on the reading after a few hours, then there is certainly a leak in your home that must be located and repaired instantly.

-If you locate stationary water or accumulation of water anyplace outside your property, it shows that there is trouble with your drainage system or gutters. Locate the problem and repair it to avoid water damage,

-Wooden floors demonstrate signs of water damage extremely fast. Check them regularly as wood tend to experience changes as an effect of water damage, which are simply visible.

-Walls, doors and window frames are regular spots that can be simply stained with water, therefore check them frequently and if there is water damage in your home, these parts are definite to catch water stains, if you locate them, find the source and have it repaired.

-Check your home appliances to observe if some of them are leaking or rusting. Since rusting makes it hard for these appliances to hold water, which as a result will lead these appliances to leak.

Every sign of water damage needs instant attention, therefore do not ignore them if you see water damage in some form and in some part of your home. Trace leaks in your home and repair them quickly. Slight repairs for example repairing tiny leaks can be done yourself. But, if you see signs of water damage however are incapable to locate the source of the leak, get the assistance of a specialist.

In order to prevent water damage, you must first learn what causes it. This article will cover the visible causes of water damage, the ones that are easy to self-detect. Be sure to look for the second part of this article and learn all about the invisible causes of water damage as well. A good understanding of the subject will not only provide you with better tools to prevent water damage but also will help saving money by simple day to day maintenance tips that will keep your house in good shape and preserve its value. While some of the causes for damage are controllable and can be prevented if you pay enough attention, others cannot be predicted and therefore cannot be prevented.

Rain water:
Rain water will accumulate along the foundations or beneath the floor during rainy seasons unless directed away by proper drainage. It is very hard to control damage caused by rain water but it is possible to reduce its effects

Gutter & Drain:
Clogged gutters will push rainwater under shingles, or will cause water to travel down the walls internally. A lack of drains can cause an overflow. Gutters must empty far enough away from foundation walls or else water will accumulate, leading to damage and a wet basement and even to foundation problems.

Windows and Doors:
Unprofessionally installed windows and doors will allow water to penetrate into the wall. Damaged seals around windows or doors can cause windblown moisture penetration. Check your doors and windows thoroughly especially during wet seasons.

Leaking Roofs:
Old roofing materials can expose the roof deck to water intrusion and damage especially around chimneys and exhaust fans. Old shingles will curl and crack, allowing moisture intrusion. Cracked chimney caps allow water into interior areas of the chimney. Flat roof drains can clog and hold water on the roof, increasing the risks of a leak and a possible collapse of the entire roof under the weight of the water.

Attics:
Improper attic insulation and ventilation allows heat to escape, turning rooftop snow into an ice-dam. Ice dams will force moisture under roof shingles where it can drip into the attic or walls.

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As the days get shorter and the leaves change color, the realization that winter is right around the corner is never far from your mind. While many of us have visions of curling up with a good book and a mug of hot chocolate by a warm fire or dusting off the ski equipment and hitting the slopes, savvy homeowners are thinking about preventing winter water damage. Sure, winterizing your home is a chore, but it’s a chore best done sooner rather than later. After all, preventing water damage from occurring in the first place will save you the heartbreak and expense of winter water damage.

Outdoor Winter Weatherization Steps

Get out those shears! It’s time to trim your trees, paying special attention to dead branches. Heavy snow and ice as well as strong winter winds can break trees and tree branches which can damage your roof or siding, break windows, or damage your car as well as potentially injure someone.

Once the trees have been cut back, get out the ladder and clean out your rain gutters. When rain gutters are clogged with debris, ice dams can form. When this happens, melting snow and ice doesn’t get diverted down the spouts as designed; rather the melted water seeps into the house, dripping through its walls and ceiling.

On a similar note, check the tracks of all windows and sliders to make sure that the tracks and water drainage holes are clear. If water, ice, or snow cannot flow through properly, the water will seep into your walls.

If your home has a crawl space, head underneath your home and check to be sure that all exposed pipes are properly insulated. If not, use pipe insulation to wrap your pipes. Do the same for any outdoor hose bibs.

If you have a pool or spa, hire a pool professional to winterize your system.

Indoor Winter Weatherization Steps

Now it’s time to move indoors. Because frozen pipes are one of the main causes of winter water damage, pay special attention to your home’s pipes. All exposed pipes should be properly insulated. Common areas where exposed pipes can be found include unfinished garages, basements, mud rooms, and laundry rooms. While you’re at it, inspect these pipes for cracks and leaks.

Check and upgrade the insulation in your home, particularly in your home’s attic. A poorly insulated attic allows too much heat to escape which can then cause a vicious cycle of melting and refreezing snow on your roof. This cycle can lead to ice damming which has the potential to cause water seepage or even a collapsed roof. Well insulated homes with insulated walls, crawl spaces, attics, and basements are less likely to have issues with frozen pipes.

Now is a good time to have your heating system, fireplace, chimney, and wood-burning stoves professionally serviced to ensure both safety as well as functionality. You don’t want to find out that your furnace is broken when it’s freezing outside. When the temperatures fall, heat the home and keep it at least 65 degrees.

Locate your plumbing system’s shutoff valves and make sure that you can shut off the water quickly should your pipes burst. If necessary, keep a pipe wrench nearby for valves that are not easily adjustable or replace the valves.

Now that you have the house prepped to prevent water damage this winter, you’re almost ready to hit those slopes. But before you leave for an extended ski trip, make sure to prepare your home for the possibility of water damage while you’re away! Keep the home heated, open under sink cabinets to allow warm air to reach the pipes, and allow your faucets to drip. If you’ll be gone for a long time, consider having your water system completely drained by a professional.

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