2 More Common Causes Of Roof Leaks In Ireland

Knowing the common causes of roof leaks in Ireland is key if you want to minimise heat loss and avoid water damage to your property in the winter months. Keeping an eye on the weather and a drip bucket handy is a very temporary solution and a sign that you have a more serious problem on your hands. Here are 2 more common causes of roof leaks in Ireland.

1: Cracked Flashing

Flashing is installed inside your gutters and just underneath your roof line. It’s put there as a way of diverting more rainwater away from your property, create a waterproof barrier and to improve your gutters overall performance. Flashing is made of thin pieces of metal and can either be exposed or hidden, if hidden there will be a rubber coating over the top so you will still be easily able to see it upon close inspection. If your flashing needs repair you will be able to see large cracks along it.

Flashing tends to crack over time as many roofers use tar to seal them, this tar cracks and erodes which can leave water into your property. If you notice your flashing is cracked in even one place it’s best to call the professionals to replace it and look for more cracks. Fixing this issue quickly will help to avoid the costs associated with water damage.

2: Improperly Sealed Valleys

The valleys of your roof are the places where two planes of the roof come together. There is generally a slope on either side of the valley so when it rains all of the water is channelled down towards your guttering. If these valleys are improperly sealed, you can run into some serious problems. This is one of the most common causes of roof leaks and can lead to extensive damage including compromising the structural integrity of your property.

Improper sealing of valleys can be caused by erosion due to water and ice over time, cracking under weight when stepped on or the job not being carried out properly from the beginning.

If you think your roof has cracked flashing or improperly sealed valleys, contact a roof leak expert immediately. The more you ignore the problem the worse, and more expensive, it will get.