Anytime you see water dripping from the ceiling, it should be a cause for alarm. This is because this could be an indication that your home’s roof is leaking, and a roof leak may lead to significant damage, even if it only seems to be doing so on occasion. Let’s take a closer look at why a roof doesn’t leak every time it rains and why even a minor leak should be taken seriously.
An Isolated Issue
It’s possible that the roof only leaks every so often because the problem only impacts a small portion of your roof. For instance, if a few shingles have curled up or have recently flown off of your roof, it will leave a small section exposed to the elements. Therefore, it may take several days or weeks for enough moisture to accumulate in that one spot to the point where a noticeable leak will occur.
The good news is that it may be possible to fix the issue with a patch as opposed to having the entire roof replaced. A small repair job may be worth pursuing if the majority of the roof is still in good shape and it still has a significant portion of its useful life remaining. At Miller Storm Roofing & Reconstruction in Fort Worth, we can inspect residential roofs in an effort to find a leak and determine the extent of any damage done. We can then engage in either roof repair or a full roof replacement, depending on what your home needs.
Something Wasn’t Installed Correctly
Shingles that are not attached to a roof properly may leave parts of it exposed to the elements. They may also be more likely to experience damage or fly off of your home during a storm. It’s also possible that flashing, drip edges or other components were not installed properly or were not the right size for your roof.
When this happens, there may be gaps around these items where water can pool over a period of days, weeks or months. Eventually, the moisture will cause the decking to rot, which will allow it to come into your home. Alternatively, the water will simply flow through the gaps around the chimney or flash and into your home.
The reason why you may only see occasional leaks is that there may not always be enough water during a given rain event to create a steady drip in your home. For example, if it’s merely misting outside, the moisture may simply cause shingles or decking to become slightly wet. However, during a major storm, there will probably be enough water to create anything from a steady drip to an absolute torrent of rain in your house.
Signs of a Possible Roof Leak
It’s important to understand that even an occasional roof leak is cause for concern because there is still water in your roof whether you can see it or not. The longer you allow the water to linger, the more damage it will do to your home. Ultimately, what might have started as a minor repair may turn into an expensive replacement project that you might not be able to afford without filing an insurance claim.
In some cases, you’ll see signs of a moisture problem prior to seeing any water flowing from the ceiling. For instance, you might see stains on the ceiling or streaks running down the walls. You may also notice a mildew smell coming from the attic, basement or other areas of your home. This smell is typically caused by mold that forms inside of walls or in other areas that you cannot see.
In some cases, the roof will become so weak in spots that it will start to sag. If left unchecked, the roof may actually collapse with little or no warning. A sagging roof may also indicate issues with the home’s foundation, which may be caused by water that has managed to flow all the way to its lowest levels.
If your roof is leaking, don’t hesitate to call the professionals at Miller Storm Roofing & Reconstruction today. In addition to roof repair and replacement, we can also install solar panels on your home to help you reduce utility bills throughout the year.
