As a Florida homeowner, you know the importance of having a solid roof over your head. When heavy storms strike, a good roof will protect your home from water damage, assuming you’re up to snuff on your roof maintenance.
The tropical climate can often cause a leak in a Florida roof – the roof is leaking due to the accumulation of moisture from rain and humidity. That may seem normal, but a good roof should never leak, even in a monsoon.
If your Florida roof is leaking, it is likely to cause major problems, expenses, and stress. Roof leaks rarely remain contained to the roof. Instead, they spread damage throughout your home.
Concerned about a leaking roof? Find out the most common causes of a Florida roofing leak here.
WHAT CAUSES A LEAKING ROOF IN FLORIDA?
The good news about a leaking roof is that it won’t run up the cost of your utility bills the way a leaking pipe would do.
Still, water leaking into your home through the roof is likely to cause mold and mildew. A leaking roof can also cause the wood and sheetrock in your home to rot.
The reasons for a leak in a roof most often have to do with failures in the following roofing materials.
SHINGLES
If your roof has shingles, the source of your roofing leak could be the result of incorrectly installed shingle starter courses. A shingle starter course is an important component of your roofing system.
Also called a starter strip, the starter shingles are made of asphalt. They get installed over the eaves and rake edges of your roof to make it waterproof.
When starter shingles are not installed properly, water will get inside the eaves and fascia boards in your roof and cause them to rot.
Sometimes the way your gutters are situated can interfere with the drip edge. This can cause water to back up and remain on your roof when it should runoff.
If you notice light brown stains beneath your soffit vents, it is a sign that your starter shingles have failed.
When the problem isn’t your starter shingles, it could be that the main shingles on your roof are failing. Every shingle gets attached to the roof via an adhesive strip. When the seal on the strip breaks, water can get in.
NAILS
Problems with nails are a very common cause of roofing leaks. First of all, roofing nails are prone to rusting and rising out of the shingles in hot, moist climates like Florida.
How the roofing nails get installed can affect the waterproofing of your roof as well. Sometimes a roofing nail may go into the shingle too low. This is called a low-hanging nail.
When this happens, the course above the shingle doesn’t cover the nail. An uncovered nail is prone to leaking, rusting, and rising out of the shingle.
Another problem can occur with the deck nails in the rafters of your home. Your rafters have sheathing around them. The sheathing gets held in place by deck nails.
In the event the deck nails in your rafters back out of their holes, they can lift up your shingles, breaking that adhesive strip that makes them watertight.
Finally, you might experience a roofing leak if the nails in your ridge vents loosen or rise out of the sheathing. When this happens, water can accumulate in your attic or crawlspace.
METAL FLASHING
Roof flashing is another important component that ensures your roof is resistant to water. Flashing is typically constructed from steel or aluminum. It covers the joints and intersections of your roof.
When the metal flashing on your roof gets damaged, water often seeps in. If left ignored, the problem will intensify and damage the interior of your roof and home.
VALLEYS
The valleys of your roof are where two planes join together. These valleys are one of the areas of your roof with the highest potential for developing a roofing leak.
Water tends to pool in these valleys. So, if they are not sealed properly, water can get inside your roof in a major way.
TILES
Even a small crack in your roofing tiles can create a roofing leak. Sometimes a small crack just needs to get resealed. Other times cracked tiles may require replacement.
The problem could also be with the waterproof membrane underneath your roofing tiles. In this case, a professional roofer would need to remove some of the roofing tiles and replace or repair the membrane.
HOW TO AVOID A ROOFING LEAK
It is in your best interest to avoid a roofing leak at all costs. Regular roof maintenance is one way to ensure your roofing materials are holding up and working properly.
Another important thing to consider is getting regular roof inspections. A certified roof inspector will take a look at every component of your roof to inspect for damage.
Some of the things a roof inspector will check for include leaks, wind uplift damage, broken tiles, shingle damage, and more.
REPAIRING A LEAKING ROOF
It is best to leave roof repairs to an experienced professional. After all, the roof is your home’s greatest defense against the elements. So you really don’t want to risk causing more damage by trying to fix a leak yourself.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT A LEAK IN A FLORIDA ROOF – ROOF IS LEAKING!
The tropical climate can often cause a leak in a Florida roof – the roof is leaking due to a combination of built-up moisture and roofing material failure.
The most common causes of a Florida roofing leak include shingle/tile damage or improper nail and starter shingle installation. Florida roofs also experience significant wear and tear from wind and hurricanes over time.
If you’re not sure if your roof needs maintenance, or want to schedule an inspection, call us for a free quote: 844.784.7663.
