The Two Most Common Places One would find a Roof Leak

There’s little doubt that a leaky roof can be one of a homeowners largest headaches. But there is good news; many roof leaks are predictable and therefor offer the opportunity to head off problems before they start.

Look First to Roof Penetrations for Leaks

Many times trouble spots can begin at sealant and flashing penetrations through the roof’s membrane. This is seen typically when a single ply roofing system makes use of the flashing being the identical material as the roof membrane, both of which are bonded to the roof’s field membrane. This is where it’s wise to look closely at the seams, the laps and sealants on a semi regular basis, particularly after a storm.

Many times a boot assembled at the factory can address any installation problems that may have occurred in the field at the penetration points. The drains some roofers install that also go through the membrane of the roof can be another source of leaks. This is because once the rains come into contact with the roof it will eventually find its way over the seal of the drain. This is why it’s important to be sure that your roofer has used adequately sized drains that can accommodate heavy southern California rainfalls and should include adequate screening to fight against the drain becoming blocked by debris. Also check that your roofer has installed your drains on a proper angle to rid the roof of water faster, or if not that they have installed a drain sump that can be installed in a recess manor.

Inspecting the Perimeter for Potential Roof Leaks

It’s easier to understand why perimeter areas of roof’s can leak when you consider that the edges of a typical roof are flexible and when they transition next to the inflexible flashings or sheet metal it can cause a leak. This is why it’s vital that when applying the roofing installers ensure that the water is being shed by the laps in the sheet metal, and that the sealant that is used is inspected on a regular basis as the roof ages.

Many of the pre-fabricated sheet metal accessories for roofs work to solve many of the potential roof perimeter problems. Experienced installers know that making use of a custom made solution regarding accessories having to do with the parapet walls, masonry, reglets, copings and interior rising walls can also head off problems that can occur later. Most of these options come in snap together assemblies and are added or re-installed as needed when the roof membrane is replaced.