How Roof Leaks Start in Virginia Beach
Leaks usually start with something small. One minor vulnerability, such as a cracked shingle, misaligned flashing, or clogged gutters. It’s usually something unnoticeable, which is why roofing contractors in Virginia Beach harp on and on about regular roof inspections.
Pesty leaks can happen at any time of year. During the winter, the freeze-thaw cycle might gradually gnaw away at your defenses. In the spring, strong winds can rip shingles off while storms overwhelm your roof. The scorching heat of summer can damage your shingles, causing them to become brittle and lose effectiveness. In autumn, falling leaves can clog your gutters, causing water to back up and seep into your home.
Remember, your roof is your first line of defense against the elements. If you take care of it, it’ll take care of you.
Once there’s an Opening, the Elements will Exploit it.
Like we said, it can be something as simple as a hole hiding underneath a loose shingle. As your Virginia Beach roofing company, we’ve seen it all.
Here in coastal Virginia, we get a lot of thunderstorms, especially in late summer. Each rainfall pulls water further and further beneath the shingles, saturating the underlying layers. Eventually, water will drip into your attic, where it is trapped. That’s where the real problems start.
Water Dripping into Your Attic can Easily Escalate into an Expensive Problem.
Once water starts dripping into your home, it’s only a matter of time before you notice. And it’s no longer an easy roof repair by a Virginia Beach roofing company.
The most obvious sign of water damage is a yellowish stain growing on your ceiling. Paint might even start to peel away. Or it might start bulging and sagging from water pooling. This means the leak has escaped the attic and is digging deeper into your home’s structure.
However, leaks can also cause several hidden problems within your attic, like wood rot. There are actually a few different types of wood rot, but the most common is wet rot. It’s exactly what it sounds like: prolonged exposure to moisture causes fungal decay. If left unchecked, it can threaten your roof’s structural integrity.
Water intrusion can also damage any electrical systems you have in your attic. Your HVAC system, attic fans, dehumidifiers, cable TV, telephone lines, and even wiring for lighting fixtures are all common systems within the attic. If any of these systems are on the fritz, it might be because of a leak. Admittedly, electrical damage is less common than the other problems we’ve discussed. Nonetheless, electrical damage is very serious and can increase your fire risk. So deal with the potential leak as quickly as possible to keep your family safe.
Leaks commonly drip onto your insulation, which may not sound like a big deal, but it can compromise your home. Compromised insulation reduces its effectiveness, meaning your A/C has to work harder to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
Ideally, Everyone Would Catch the Leak Early on, Saving Them from Expensive Repairs.
Unfortunately, many homeowners neglect their roofs. One tiny weakness can snowball into a huge, expensive problem, into something you can no longer neglect.
Luckily, you can protect your home with routine roof inspections. We recommend at least two inspections a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. But there’s never a bad time for an inspection.
So schedule a free, no-obligation roof inspection and keep your family safe this summer.