Four Tips for Finding and Preventing Roof Leaks

7/3/2017 (Permalink)

If left untreated, leaky roofs can lead to mold, structural damage, and electrical damage throughout your home.

Your roof is one of the largest exposed surfaces of your home, which also makes it one of the most susceptible to leaks. If left untreated, leaky roofs can lead to mold, structural damage, and electrical damage throughout your home.

It’s easy to forget that your roof, like most of your home, needs regular care to stay in top shape. While nothing can guarantee you’ll never have a leaky roof, the following tips can help you identify and prevent leaks.

Watch Your Shingles

The state of your shingles can tell you a lot about the status of your roof. Familiarize yourself with the shingles on your roof so you can notice when something changes. Buckling, curling, or cracked shingles could either cause or be a sign of a leaky roof.

Clear the Debris

It’s easy for debris to build up on your roof, particularly when you have a lot of trees on your property. Leaves and branches pile up and can cause mold and collect water, which can lead to shingle damage. Make sure to regularly clear debris off your roof.

Check the Flashing and Chimney

Both the flashing and chimney are particularly susceptible to leaks. Flashing covers the most vulnerable areas of your roof, so it’s a great place to start your search when looking for leaks.

Because a chimney penetrates the roof, it’s important to pay attention to its condition. Watch for cracks in the chimney crown as well as any damage in the step flashing.

Clean Your Rain Gutters

Leaves, branches, and other natural debris tend to clog up rain gutters over time. As the debris builds up, it creates dams in the gutter. Eventually, water will start to run out of the gutters and onto your home’s roof and walls. The dams can even cause the water to build up on the roof.

Over time, the water can start to leak through and cause mold to grow on the roof. Make sure to clear out your rain gutters regularly to prevent these dams from happening.

Even small leaks can distribute water throughout your home, causing both apparent and hidden damage. However, leaks don’t just cause water damage. Unfortunately, they can also lead to mold growth.

At, SERVPRO® of North Everett/ Lake Stevens/ Monroe, we have the training and experience to make your home “Like it never even happened.” Our technicians can help locate and fix the leak as well as handle the mold remediation process.

If you think you have a leaky roof, or if you’ve seen signs of mold in your home, give us a call at 360-243-8313.