Roof leaks can be frustrating and cause severe damage to your home. They are difficult to diagnose and to make matters worse different types of weather conditions will produce leaks in different locations. Fort Collins roofing wants to let you know the nine most common leak locations to be on the lookout for.
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The field of shingles
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If you have an older roof it is likely your leak is within the roof shield. If your roof is asphalt it shouldn’t be affected by the elements but other materials may not hold up so well.
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Valleys
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A valley is a line where two roof planes intersect. Valleys can be a big problem if the shingles are not trimmed correctly.
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Head Wall Flashings
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Roofs at a vertical must have a metal flashing in place to direct water down the wall away from the shingles.
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Wall Step Flashing
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These flashings are when a roof climbs alongside a vertical wall. Rust or holes in this flashing could lead to future problems.
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Chimneys
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Chimneys contain different kinds of flashing. A hairline crack above a flashing can allow vast amounts of water in. It is important to not caulk these flashings.
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Plumbing Vent Flashings
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Look for cracked rubber around the plumbing pipe. This flashing should drive up under the shingles and bottom half of the flashing should be visible.
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Furnace Flashing
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These are basically identical to the plumbing vent flashings. They sometimes have a metal storm collar on them that can become loose letting water in.
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Ice Dam Leaks
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Ice dams block the natural flow of water off of the roof. Water begins to back up and into the house when this happens.
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Wind Blown Rain Leaks
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Winds drives water up and under the roofing materials
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So, this is where to look for roof leaks! If you don’t feel qualified for the task or lack the time call us and we will handle any roofing needs you may have.