The Most Common Causes of Roof Leaks

When you notice that your roof is leaking, it can be very difficult to work out where the leak is coming from. It helps if you know where to begin looking, so here is a list of some of the most common causes of roof leaks:

  1. Broken or missing tiles. Whilst very common, luckily the repair process for this should be relatively simple. However, once one roof tile has slipped it can make it much easier for others to as well. If you notice any roof damage, get it fixed straight away.
  2. Damage to the valleys. Where two parts of a sloping roof meet, lots of water can collect. On older roofs this might start to cause damage and could leak.
  3. Underlay. Over time, underlay may begin to rot and will no longer be waterproof. It’s also possible for strong wind to direct water underneath the tiles onto the underlay.
  4. Poor ventilation. If a roof is poorly ventilated, condensation can form on the underlay which can eventually cause damage.
  5. Blocked gutters. The purpose of a gutter is to remove water. If they’re not functioning correctly water could form pools and eventually leak.
  6. Old or poorly-fitted skylights. If this happens, you’ll need to call an expert ASAP to sort the leaking skylight.