Have you noticed a damp spot on your ceiling? Are your gutters not draining water correctly? Whatever the reason might be, every homeowner dreads that moment when they notice a leak in their roof. A leaky roof can be a considerable expense to face, but while it might be tempting to leave a small leak for the time being and hope it’s just the result of a heavy rainstorm, in the long-term, this is a serious problem and cause significant structural damage.
If you have spotted a leak in your ceiling, the first thing you should do is to remove any of your belongings in the affected area and take off any pictures or paintings you might have on the walls.
Once you have done that, you should try and ascertain where exactly the leak is coming from. Sometimes, this is a straightforward process, but other times it can be very hard for untrained people to spot the exact cause as water could be running down interior structures of your roof.
The most common causes of a leaking roof include:
- Missing or damaged tiles
- Improper ventilation
- Pooling water on the roof (caused by a blocked gutter)
- Worn or exposed nails
- Plumbing vent flashings
- Damage to your chimney
Sometimes, the leak might not be coming from damage to the roof, and it might be caused by faulty plumbing or an infestation from some form of pest. If you have been able to locate the source of the leak and are confident you can repair it, you should. However, if the source remains a mystery or you are worried that the leak might have caused significant problems to the rest of your property, then do not delay and call in some expert advice.
