Poorly laid roofing,poor performance, poor sealing or improper installation of the drainage system will lead to the fact that sooner or later the roof will begin to leak. Trouble may also appear after installing the antenna, explains the site forumhouse.ru. Condensate on the ceiling of the attic or dripping from the ceiling water can not be overlooked. However, it is difficult to determine the exact place of leakage from the inside, for this it is necessary to carefully inspect the coating from the outside. Where to look for suspicious places?
The roof is leakingIn the bends and joints, aroundpipes, hatches and roof windows, as well as... on the entire roof surface. However, it is not so easy to find the leak, because the water that gets under the exterior finish, flowing along the film of the next coating, moistens other places, and not just the one with the hole. Unfortunately, most roofing materials are not perfectly sealed. This is due to the fact that strong winds can blow water or snow under some exterior coatings (for example, made of ceramic tiles or slate, galvanized metal sheets). Pitched roofs, the angle of which exceeds 36°, are less susceptible to leaks. Due to such a slope of the surface, snow is quickly removed and water rolls off, and even a strong wind cannot drive precipitation into the cracks. From roofs with a slight slope (up to 30°), water flows down gradually, and snow lingers. When it begins to melt, it seeps under the exterior finish onto the film of the next coating and rolls down it towards the chimneys. The problem may arise when the surface of the coating is not sealed (for example, torn or moved), water penetrates inside and moistens the following layers. When you manage to find such a place (and this is not so easy to do, because the wet spot is not always directly under the hole), the film with minor damage can be glued with a special tape, and if the damage is large, you will have to use inserts made of new material.
The Endowys
The intersections of the slopes that form the gutter,internal or roof corners are called valleys. They require careful insulation because during rain water runs off them on both sides, and in winter, especially if the valleys are on the north side, snow accumulates. Cause of leak: If the roof is leaking in this place, it may mean that the finishing strip is too narrow and is not installed at the right depth under the covering. Solution: Replacing this element is a troublesome matter, as it requires dismantling part of the external finishing. Fortunately, most strips can be easily repaired by correctly bending the "banks" upward. To further protect the valleys, special gaskets should be placed between the covering and the finishing. If the cause of the leak is snow in the valleys, a good solution would be to lay heating cables under them.
Chimney
Leaks in places around the chimney do occurquite often. Cause of leakage: This is usually caused by poorly executed finishing of the stove or fireplace pipe, covering the gaps between its walls and the roof covering. Solution: The most popular sealing solution is a metal collar, but it deforms under the influence of temperature differently than a stone wall of the chimney. This is why it is so important to carefully close their joints, otherwise water will flow down the walls of the chimney and penetrate under the roof covering. It is best to fix the cutting with the required roof slope angle so that it covers the chimney at a height of 10-15 cm above the roof surface. If the cutting was done differently, then it should be done in such a way that precipitation cannot penetrate under it. Low cuttings are covered from above with a special strip, which is attached to the chimney with hooks. If the cutting is high enough, then you can make a small shallow groove in the walls of the chimney and place the upper part of the "collar" in it. If the covering is made of, for example, metal sheets, then the part of the cutting laid on them should be sealed with special gaskets. These gaskets will make it impossible for water or snow to get inside. Attention! The gaps between the chimney and the cutting can be additionally filled with elastic silicone mass.
Skylights
Causes of leakage:The cause of leaks may be improper installation of such windows. If the installation was carried out by professional roofers, and the roof still leaks, then you should check whether all the elements of the "collar" are attached and whether they are connected correctly, which will require dismantling part of the covering, as well as a fragment of the "collar". Another cause of leaks may be insufficient insulation of the window frame, causing freezing of the structure. Solution: If the "collar" is damaged, its elements can be easily purchased and replaced. If the insulation is insufficient, you need to cut a flap out of the plasterboard and lay additional insulation between the frame and the rafters.
It's easier to prevent
Even if the roof does not leak, do it oncea year, its thorough inspection. It is desirable that the technical inspection be carried out by specialists, since most of the repair work will be carried out from the outside. Ask the company that will carry out roofing work during the construction of the house, whether they guarantee annual roof inspections? Remember, the more complex the roof structure, the more "weak" points it has and the more profitable it will be for you to have a clause in the contract about performing restoration roofing work by professionals.
