It’s out of sight and out of mind. The top of your home – the roof – provides a great service to your household by shielding you from the elements, but it doesn’t get checked up on very often. If you’re experiencing a sporadically leaky roof, there are several factors that could be to blame.
Figuring out the circumstances behind the leak will help you, or your local roofer, see to it that the bothersome leaking stops for good. Cracks don’t seal themselves, after all!

When Does It Leak?

If your roof only leaks some of the time, look for weather patterns that could be contributing to those sometimes-leaks. Maybe the leaks only present themselves during periods of high rainfall, in which case your gutters can get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of water and your roof has no option but to pool. Horizontal rain (characterized by high winds) is a type of weather that assaults your roof at an angle even the most reliable shingles aren’t prepared for.

If Your Roof Is Old…

The first question many professionals are bound to ask you when assessing your leaky roof is what the date of your most recent renovation was. Old, weather-worn shingles are likely to crack and crumble and do their job less efficiently. The sealant or metal holding the roofing material together may be too old to function as well. Your roof should be refreshed every few years at the advice of your friendly neighbourhood roofing professional.

If Your Roof Is Flat…

As discussed in a prior blog, flat roofs are not truly flat; they are designed with an imperceptible slope so rainwater doesn’t pool. This style of roofing can be most often found in more modern-styled homes and is great for conserving energy in the summertime, but it comes with its own unique needs and issues to look out for.

Even with the slight sloping of their design, flatter roofs require regular cleaning, as they provide plenty of spaces for water and debris to just sit there. If water gets trapped in the spaces between a flat roof’s protective membrane, and then that water is heated by the sun, air pockets can develop and burst, giving way to a host of problems including leaking. This phenomenon is called “blistering.”

Now that you’ve narrowed down some possible causes, you can reach out to the professionals to conduct an inspection. Communication is key, and we are here to help.