In bends and joints, around pipes, hatches and roof windows, and… over the entire roof surface. However, it is not so easy to find the place of the leak, because the water that got under the outer finish, flowing over the film of the next coating, moisturizes other places, and not just the one where there is a hole.
Unfortunately, most roofing materials are not perfectly sealed. This is due to the fact that under some external coatings (for example, from ceramic tiles or slate, metal galvanized sheets), a strong wind can blow water or snow.
Pitched roofs with an angle greater than 36 ° are less susceptible to leaks. Due to this slope of the surface, snow is quickly removed and water rolls down, and even a strong wind will not be able to drive precipitation into the cracks.
From roofs with a slight slope (up to 30 °), water flows down gradually, and the snow is retained. When it begins to melt, it seeps under the outer finish onto the film of the next coating and rolls along it towards the chimneys.
The problem can appear when the surface of the coating is not airtight (for example, torn or pushed aside), water penetrates and moisturizes the following layers.
When it is possible to find such a place (and this is not so easy to do, because a wet spot is not always directly under the hole), the film with small damages can be glued with a special tape, and if the damage is large, you will have to use inserts made of new material.
The Endowys
The intersections of the slopes, forming a gutter, internal corners or corners entering the roof, are called valleys. They require careful isolation, because when it rains, water flows from them on both sides, and in winter, especially if the valleys are on the north side, snow accumulates.
Leakage reason: If the roof is leaking at this point, it may mean that the finishing strip is too narrow and not set at the correct depth under the roof.
Decision: Replacing this element is troublesome, as it requires the dismantling of part of the exterior trim. Fortunately, most lanes can be easily repaired by properly curving up the banks. To further protect the valleys, special spacers should be placed between the coating and the finish.
If the reason for the leak is snow in the valleys, then laying heating cables under them would be a good solution.
Chimney
Leaks around the chimney are common.
Leakage reason: The reason for this is usually a poorly finished chimney or chimney that closes the gaps between its walls and the roof covering.
Decision: The most popular sealing solution is a metal collar, but it deforms under the influence of temperature in a different way than a stone wall of a chimney. That is why it is so important to carefully close their joints, otherwise water will flow down the walls of the chimney and penetrate under the roofing. It is best to fix the groove with the desired angle of inclination of the roof so that it covers the chimney at a height of 10-15 cm above the roof surface.
If the cutting was done differently, then it should be done in such a way that it would not be possible for precipitation to penetrate under it.
Low cuts are obscured from above with a special bar, which is attached to the chimney with hooks. If the groove is high enough, then you can make a small shallow groove in the walls of the chimney and place the upper part of the “collar” in it.
If the coating is made of, for example, metal sheets, then part of the cutting laid on them should be sealed with special gaskets.
These gaskets will make it impossible for water or snow to enter.
Skylights
Leakage reasons: improper installation of such windows may be the cause of leaks. If the installation was carried out by professional roofers, and the roof is still leaking, then you should check whether all the elements of the “collar” are attached and if they are connected correctly, for which you will have to dismantle a part of the cover, as well as a fragment of the “collar”. Another reason for the leak may be insufficient insulation of the window frame, which causes freezing of the structure.
Decision: If the collar is damaged, its elements can be easily purchased and replaced. In case of insufficient insulation, it is necessary to cut the flap from the plasterboard plate and lay additional insulation between the frame and the rafters.
It’s easier to warn
Even if the roof does not leak, carry out a thorough inspection once a year. It is advisable that the inspection is carried out by specialists, since most of the repair work will be carried out from the outside. Ask the company that will carry out the roofing work during the construction of the house, whether they guarantee annual roof inspections?
Remember, the more complex the roof structure, the more “weak” points it has and the more profitable it will be for you to find in the contract a clause on the production of restoration roofing work for professionals.