A leaky roof is a common problem. Each one of us has experienced it to varying degrees in our lives. In fact, roof leak is one of the most common problems for houses and buildings.

Leaky roofs occur because of different causes. Sometimes all it takes is a simple visual inspection of your roof to identify the cause; at other times, you have to call the services of a professional roofer just to determine the source of the problem.

To help you easily identify the causes of the problem, we listed below its six most common causes to make your roof leak detection easier:

1. Clogged Gutters

You can easily verify if your gutter is clogged when it is raining, and no water is trickling out of the downspout. Leaves, dirt and debris are the most common culprits of a clogged gutter. Regular inspection and maintenance cleaning will prevent this from happening.

2. Damaged Shingles

Shingles eventually degrade through time and constant exposure to harsh elements. The time will come when they finally crack, erode, sustain damage or be blown off the roof. Identifying broken or missing shingles is easy though since they are the exterior layer of the roof and can easily be seen.

3. Damaged Skylights

Skylights enhance the aesthetic appeal of your house and allow sunlight to penetrate the interior of the house for more natural lighting. They are, however, a common cause of leaks due to improper installation or damage sustained over time. Observing a regular maintenance schedule helps prevent this problem.

4. Cracked Flashing

Flashing is used to provide water protection to the roof and usually placed on joints, seams and other transition points. Since flashing is made of metal, it is susceptible to corrosion, rust, dent and bending from strong winds, accidental bumping or shift in structure. Damaged flashing could lead to tricky water leaks that only professional contractors could identify and repair.

5. Cracked Chimneys

One of the places first inspected for leaks are chimneys. Whether your chimney is made from brick, stone or metal, the material deteriorates with time and could sustain cracks, corrosion or swelling making it susceptible to water leaks.

6. Ventilation and Plumbing Leaks

Some houses have their plumbing and ventilation systems run through their roofs. While this is not advisable, it is a fact that many houses have such setup. If you experience a leak on your roof, and you have hoses and pipes used for plumbing and ventilation situated near it, the likely cause of the leak is from the ventilation or plumbing system.

Chimneys are beautiful addition in Long Island roofing. They enhance the aesthetic appeal of houses both inside and outside. They are not, however, low-maintenance addition to homes because homeowners will assume a new set of responsibilities.

Chimney problems could have direct consequences on the interior of the house and its occupants. An annual chimney checkup is highly recommended even if you do not notice any problems while regularly using the chimney. Hiring a professional to conduct the inspection is best rather than doing it yourself because the risks posed by defective chimneys are just too dangerous.

Some of the most common chimney problems in a Long Island Roofing are:

1. Obstruction

If you see smoke blowing inside your house instead of going up the chimney, an obstruction is the most probable cause of the problem. The first area to inspect is the flue. Most chimney problems are caused by a blocked flue. Some causes of flue blockage are bird nests, soot and debris that may have accidentally fallen from above.

Engage the services of a professional to assess the cause of the problem. If a straightforward blockage is confirmed as the cause of the smoke, you can remove it by using specialized tools such as chimney brush, rods and adaptors. Always observe caution when working on elevated places.

Just be aware that there are causes for smoke to get inside your house other than obstruction. An updraft can prevent smoke from going up the chimney that does not have sufficient height. The negative air pressure caused by an airtight house could draw smoke inside instead of going up the chimney.

2. Flue Cracks

The lining inside the chimney is subjected to extreme elements such as heat and deposit of flammable substances. Through time and neglect, the lining will deteriorate and cracks start to form on the flue. Since the lining protects other parts from combusting, refrain from using the fireplace until the damaged parts are replaced.

3. Damaged Masonry

A chimney that has been neglected could crack, crumble and even collapse. A cracked mortar will allow water to penetrate, which ultimately find its way inside the house. To remedy, simply remove the damaged mortar and replace it with a new one to improve the stability and enhance protection.

4. Critters

Some animals are attracted by chimneys because they are relatively isolated areas where they feel safe from predators. Bats, in particular, roost in chimneys and present inconveniences to homeowners. They carry diseases, and their droppings are smelly and could transmit these diseases to humans. An easy solution for the problem is the installation of an inexpensive and easy-to-install chimney cap.

No one likes to have bats living under their roof, attic, ceiling or chimney. The chimneys on Atlanta roofing offer an ideal place for bats to roost because they feel safe from predators. Bats present several inconveniences for homeowners, foremost of which is that bats carry diseases that humans could contract. They also produce noise that is annoying to some people. Their droppings are not only messy and smelly but have the potential to transmit diseases.

If you have bats living in your chimney, you can follow these steps to eliminate and prevent them from staying there.

Step One

Check the damper and make sure that it is close. This will prevent bats from gaining entrance to your house and flying around, which is not a pleasant experience for your family.

Never start a fire on your chimney while the bats are inside. You will have to open the damper to start a fire. For some reasons, bats fly down to the bottom than to the top and therefore, get inside the house. Starting a fire could kill the bats too, which is not only cruel but could be illegal in some places. They may fly into small areas around the house such as those found on walls and attics as well.

Step Two

Identify entry points. Bats find their way into your chimney and attic through holes and openings. Once you do, install a one-way exclusion device over the openings. This device is designed to let bats fly out of the chimney but not back in.

Finding the entry points of bats on chimneys is not difficult. It is obviously the big hole at the top. However, this is not the only point that bats enter the chimney. They go in through gaps between the chimney and roof, or in other holes such as those caused by decays. A thorough inspection is therefore recommended if you are to identify all the entry and exit points of bats.

Step Three

Seal all openings that bats could get in the house, not just the chimney where they roost. For houses with loose trims or fascia, you can use either a sealant or steel bolt to eliminate the gaps. For tile roofs, both a sealant applied on cracks and gaps and netting laid over the roof will work.

Bat repellents and electronic sound devices are not recommended for preventing bats from going into your chimney and home. There is no evidence that these products are effective and actually drive bats away. The best method is still physically excluding bats from entering gaps and holes.