It’s one of those moments all property owners dread: noticing that wet stain creeping across your ceiling. The sad truth is, if you own property, you will experience a roof leak at some time or another, and fixing roof leaks is no easy task. Unfortunately, just like we can’t predict the rain– and in Florida, we get plenty of it!– we can’t predict when the roof will leak, either.
Whether you’re planning an inspection of your roof or looking for the cause of a leak, this list of the top seven causes of roof leaks should help you spot potential problems and if your roof is also damaged by any of these reasons, you can claim for roof leak insurance with us. Be careful if you’re planning on stepping up on the rooftop yourself. You can damage your roof simply by walking on certain features, and obviously, a fall could cause serious damage to you as well.
1. Bad Installation
Had a professional on your roof recently? It could be that your contractor didn’t install something properly or used cheap, low-quality materials to fix your roof. A seal may be missing or damaged, or something may not be installed correctly. For instance, if a contractor drags items over the roof cap without protecting it, this can cause damage. Poor installation of gutters can also prevent water from draining away from the roof properly and cause leaking.
2. Broken or Missing Shingles
The good news about this problem is it’s one you can spot from the ground. Your roof should look pretty uniform, so you should see dark spots where shingles are missing or lifted. A missing shingle is a chink in your home’s armor against the forces of nature.
3. Broken Seal in Roof Valley
Just like the name implies, a roof valley is where two planes of your roof join together. Rainwater rushes down the sloped surfaces of your roof and down these valleys, so if you have a broken seal in this area, you’re bound to see water inside your house.
4. Broken Seal Around Roof Vents
These vents allow rooms like the bathroom to expel moisture through the roof. A seal surrounds each vent where it pokes up through the roof, but over time in the sun and wind, these seals can become brittle and crack or chip away. Any crack in those seals will allow water in.
5. Cracks in Flashing
Over time, flashing or tar sealer can deteriorate and crack, causing a roof leak. Sometimes the culprit is simply wind or rain damage. Hail can also damage roof shingles and seals.
6. Lack of Maintenance
Another significant cause of roof leaks is a lack of good roof maintenance. Remember to empty your gutters and remove debris from your roof regularly. Gutters filled with leaves or piles of debris on your rooftop can interrupt the flow of water, trapping it in puddles and allowing it to leak into the house.
7. Old Roof
Any roof will start to leak at some point in time. Roof materials simply aren’t made to last forever, and sooner or later, some part of the roof will break down and need to repair the roof leaks.
If one of these common causes of roof leaks damaged your roof as well, do not wait around, call us now.
Hidden Damage Caused by Roof Leaks
One of the biggest problems with a roof leak is that it can cause so much invisible damage. Roof leaking water drops down between your walls, and, especially here in Florida, that moisture quickly begins to grow even bigger problems, like mold and mildew. How do you even know that stuff is happening? You might notice a musty smell or see a stain on the wall.
When you have a licensed public adjuster from Ask An Adjuster inspect your home, they’ll take readings using a moisture meter to find out what’s hiding within your walls and ceilings.
How to Get a FREE Roof Inspection
If you think you may have some damage to your roof, or you’ve already seen signs of a leak, schedule an 11 point free inspection today.
There may be multiple causes of roof leaks from your side, but our public adjusters will work their way around the policy and will try to get you the best possible settlement.
With the 11-point inspection, one of our certified public claims adjusters will come to your home at a time- convenient for you and check the entire building, top to bottom, for any problems.
We have licensed public adjusters across the state of Florida, and the inspection is totally free. You won’t get a better offer than that!
In addition to a thorough inspection, Ask An Adjuster’s certified public adjusters are experts at navigating the process of filing a property insurance claim (roof leak in this case). We can help you not only assess any damage you have but also the only licensed professional legally allowed to advocate for you in your property insurance claim. We’re the experts, and the even better news is, we’re on your side. Schedule your free inspection today!
Frequently Asked Questions
| Does home insurance cover roof leaks? Ans: Home Insurance does cover roof leaks but it’s not general coverage, so you will have to consult one of our public adjusters or anyone else to go through the policy. |
