Your roof serves both a functional and aesthetic purpose. On the one hand, it’s meant to protect the interior and contents of your home from external elements. On the other hand, your roof should also be visually pleasing and match the aesthetic of your home.
Naturally, when damage-causing leaks occur, you want to find out how they happened and what you can do to repair them quickly. In this article, we highlight some of the most common causes of roof leaks in Toronto and how you can effectively address these issues.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Roof Leaks in Toronto?
Leaking roof repairs can end up costing you a lot of money if not handled immediately. The faster you can get it done, the better. With that in mind, here’s our list of the most common causes of roof leaks.
Missing Shingles
Over time, exposure to inclement weather conditions like heavy winds, rain, snow, and ice can lead to natural wear and tear of your shingles. Sometimes, high winds might even cause shingles to rip off your roof.
Missing shingles can leave your roof exposed and may cause leaks, or worse, flooding, throughout your home. Missing shingles aren’t always easy to see, which is why it’s important to get a roof tune-up in the GTA or hire a roofing contractor to inspect your roof for missing shingles at least once a year.
Improper Installation
Another common cause of roof leaks is using insufficient wood substrates and structure. The substrate is the underlying supporting material that goes under the shingles and it can be made of various materials, such as plywood, and have various thicknesses.
The substrate should be able to withstand moisture and air. If your roof was installed using the wrong substrate, which may be the case in older homes, you might end up with a leaking roof that needs to be repaired. If you experience leaks in your roof, make sure to have a roofing contractor inspect your roof’s substrate to determine if your roof was installed correctly.
Incorrect Roof Slope
One of the main causes of roof leaks is the roof slope. If your roof slope is too shallow, wind can lift up the shingles and cause water to get underneath the shingles. Over time, these elements can erode the structural integrity of roofing materials, eventually causing leaks throughout your roof.
According to the International Building Code, the minimum slope required to use asphalt shingles is 2:12. Depending on the slope of your roof, you may need to use a double layer of underlay. If you want to avoid unnecessary leaking roof repairs, make sure the roofing contractor you hire uses the appropriate materials.
Poor Drainage
Poorly installed gutters can result in water pooling on your roof, so be sure to look for signs of inadequate water drainage. Never drain water from your upper parts of your roof onto lower parts of your roof. This could cause the area to get oversaturated, and therefore, causes leaks. Instead, reposition your downspouts and always drain water onto the ground.
Clogged Gutters
A build-up of twigs, branches, or leaves in your gutters can also prevent water from draining correctly and cause water to slowly seep into your roof. One of the best ways to prevent leaking roofs, is to repair broken gutters and clean out dirt and debris on a regular basis.
Performing roof maintenance also includes making minor repairs, removing moss and mould, trimming overhanging trees, and keeping the vent openings, downspouts, and other external fixtures free from debris.
Aging Roof
Toronto is full of older homes, some of which are well past their prime. Natural wear and tear can take a big toll on a roof that’s decades old. Even with routine maintenance, most roofs aren’t built to last more than 30 years, especially since roofing materials naturally deteriorate over time.
Getting annual roof tune-ups in the GTA can only go so far. After a while, it may be more worth your while to replace your entire roof rather than making countless leaking roof repairs that can eat away at your finances.
Professional Roof Tune-Up Services in the GTA
Does your roof need a little bit of a tune-up before the winter weather hits? Trust the experienced roofing repair, maintenance, and installation contractors at Right Choice Roofing & Repair to fix any leaking roof issues you’re having. We have over a decade of experience working in this industry and providing high-quality roof repair services across Toronto and the GTA. Contact us today to get a free next-day estimate on your roof repair or inspection.
