Before you can attempt to repair a roof leak you must first locate the source of water infiltration. Usually a visual inspection of the attic space will reveal the location of the water leakage. Sometimes leaks are not visible such as those that are caused by ice dams or water infiltration behind siding, trim and fascia areas.
Water leaks can be challenging to locate because the leak may not be directly above the visible wet areas. The most opportune time to check for the location of leakage is during wind and rain. enter the attic space and begin in the vicinity of the visible leak. Pull back insulation in order to get a better view of the areas. Remember that water will roll down roof rafters and down the chimney so make sure you trace the wet areas to their destination points. You can try to visualize a leak using an established point of reference such as vent pipe penetrations, chimney penetrations of valley or dormer walls.
Most roof leakage is caused by failing or cracked asphalt roof shingles. We will be inspecting for broken and damaged roof shingles during your
Morris County home inspection. We will be inspecting for staining and water infiltration in the attic space while performing your
NJ home inspection. Broken, damaged and missing shingles will in most cases cause water infiltration into the attic space. Whenever there is exposed roof sheathing there is most certainly going to be roof leakage. Another major source of water infiltration is at the flashing details. Over time the home settles at different rates and this can cause gaps to develop around the flashing details. Sometimes the flashing details are installed incorrectly and thus leakage can result. Roofing cement is often improperly applied as a sealer between flashings and roof penetrations.
Over the freeze and thaw cycles the roofing cement will get brittle and cracking will develop. The cracking will ultimately lead to water infiltration. The area where the chimney comes up through the roof is particularly vulnerable to this type of flashing leakage. Properly installed flashing details do not rely on roofing cement in order to keep water out.
Wind leaks that are caused by shingle uplift in wind and heavy rains has been all but eliminated by the cement strip that holds the shingles on top of one another. This is one type of leak has all been eliminated with the use of composition asphalt shingles. This cement/glue strip makes for a tight seal between the layers of roofing shingles. There are some material defects that may cause the cement strip not to adhere. If the individual asphalt roof shingles do not adhere leakage will result. Most if not all roofing material manufacturers warrantee their roofing materials against such defects provided the material has been installed using their recommendations.
There are some roofing materials that are more suitable for particular roofing applications. For instance asphalt shingles are suited for steep pitched roofs because they act as a shedding system. Slates and wood shingles are also suited for steep pitched roof systems. Rolled and rubber type roofing materials are suited for lower sloped roofing applications. These materials act more as a barrier then asphalt shingles and slates.
One of the other major issues that greatly contributes to roof leaks is unscrupulous roofing contactors installing asphalt shingles with a grater then recommended face exposure. Sometimes this is done to save on materials costs. Other times it is done by not understanding the proper installation requirements for the materials.
Inadequate over lap of the roofing materials can let wind driven rain to get under the shingles and cause water leakage and damage. When it is time to re-roof due your due diligence and make sure to hire a roofing contractor that has a good reputation. Do your own research as to what roofing materials would be suitable for your individual roofing project.
Make sure the roofing contractor follows the manufactures installation requirements to the letter so that if defects or problems occur the material will still be covered during the warrantee period. A thorough
New Jersey Home inspector will attempt to walk the roof top in order to determine if defects exist.Sometimes the roof top is not accessible due to height or unsafe conditions or steep pitch. In this case the New Jersey home inspector should use the required field glasses to view all areas of the roof. Determining if roofing defects exist is an important aspect of performing detailed
Morris County home inspections.
