Find out if your new roof is leaking because of poor installation or another underlying problem.
The last thing you want to see after you just spent money putting a new roof on your home is dripping water from the ceiling. Unfortunately this is a reality for some people, and there are several reasons why this could happen to you. Take time to investigate the possibilities and find out if you need to have the contractors return to repair the job or if you have other issues. A leaking roof could cause serious damage to your home and cost you lots of money. Does this Spark an idea?
Weak Roof Structure
The structure of your roof below the area that was replaced may be the problem causing your leak and not the new roofing material itself. If the roof's initial design is weak it can potentially cause the roof membrane to split under heavy loads, such as hard rains, and allow water to leak through to your ceiling. Unfortunately the roof supports would have to be rebuilt to prevent this from happening.
Slope and Sag
The slope and any sagging of the roof structure can cause pooling of water on the roof and cause leaks through the roof membrane. This is also a structural issue that may not be the fault of your roofer. If you have inadequate drains for the roof causing ponding of water you may be able to have modifications done to the roof to stop the problems from happening.
Expansion and Contraction
Some roofing materials can contract and expand as temperatures change. This is especially true of metal roofs. If the roofer did not allow for some expansion and contraction of the roofing material, the changes in temperature could cause the fasteners or nails to wallow out the holes where they are attached to the roof. This could allow water in through the fastener holes, which can lead to leaking from your ceiling. If you suspect this problem, you should contact your roofer about it.
Flashing Inadequate
One of the most common places for roofing to leak, whether old or new, is at the flashing. Flashing is installed as a barrier between the roofing material and other parts of the structure such as chimneys protruding from the roof or edges between roofing sections. If the roofer did not install proper flashing or didn't install it correctly then water can leak into these areas and cause a ceiling leak below. If you suspect the flashing is the source of your leak you should have the roofer come out and have a second look at his work.
New Roof Over Old
If you installed a new roof on top of old roofing material instead of having it removed, you could be setting yourself up for problems. If you have more than two layers of roofing material on your home it might save you money as opposed to removing the old roof first, but the weight of the materials as well as potential rotting problems underneath could make your new roof unstable and prone to leaks.
Tags: roofing material, your home, your roof, allow water, between roofing, ceiling Unfortunately, could cause
