Small Roof LeakRoof leak repair can be one of the worst things a homeowner has to do at some point. Looking up during a thunderstorm and noticing a dark area on your ceiling leaves a feeling in the pit of your stomach no one wants to experience.

However, if you keep an eye on your home and know how to identify potential leaks, you can be ready to fight the unexpected. Listed below are five common reasons why roofs leak.

Gutters are clogged

This problem may seem like it has nothing to do with a leak on your roof, but the main job of gutters is to help water travel away from the roof. When gutters become clogged with debris, they can’t do that job. If water can’t leave through the gutters, it will puddle up on low spots of your roof near the gutters, giving it plenty of time to soak down and find the smallest cracks to seep into your ceiling. Every couple of months, be sure to clear out your gutters.

Valleys aren’t sealed properly

Valleys are the areas of your roof where two planes come together – usually being one of the peaks on your home. If the valley wasn’t sealed properly or allowed enough time to dry, this could give water a way into your home. An excess amount of rain can also cause your seals to erode over time, but this can be hard to detect to an untrained eye.

Shingles are broken or missing

The shingles on your roof are the first layer of protective coating against weather. This is one of the more obvious causes of roof leakage. If a shingle is missing or broken, water can get to the second layer of your roof. Once water is in that layer, it can travel under other shingles to more parts of your roof, potentially causing the metal underneath to rust and began to leak. If you notice a missing shingle, get your roof repaired immediately. Failing to do so could lead to extensive damage.

Flashing is improperly sealed

Underneath shingles and around roof joints are thin metal strips called flashing that direct water towards the gutters of your home. The caulk sealing the metal strips to your roof can dry and crack over time, giving water a direct line to the interior of your home.

Age is always a factor

Just like anything else that is subject to the elements of mother nature, roofing doesn’t last forever. Once your roof has baked in the sun for years, all materials are bound to decay at some point. Knowing when your roof was installed will help your keep an eye on leakage factors and determine when it’s time to stop repairing and start replacing.

If you’ve just bought or moved into a new home, you may not know when the roof was replaced or installed. Call Destin Roofing for all your roofing needs, such as inspections, roof leak repair or roof installation!