Old Roof Leaking

Penetrations can include plumbing and roof vents chimneys dormers or anything else that projects through the roof.

Old roof leaking.

They usually aren t the first place you should look for a leak but once they are old and worn enough they can become a problem. Dig out any cracked or dry caulking that isn t properly sealing adjoining surfaces and replace with silicone caulk. A roof leak at the edge of a dormer can allow a lot of water to enter your home. Replace any missing or rotted siding above the step flashing on dormers.

Tommy scribbins owner of accent roofing service talks to a homeowner about an upcoming roof replacement. They can be several feet above the leak or to the right or left of it. Both danger and the probability of structural erosion increase if unaddressed. Rotten or missing trim or siding can allow water to leak behind flashing and into your roof.

In fact it s rare for leaks to develop in open areas of uninterrupted shingles even on older roofs. If your roof is old enough you may need to replace it entirely. Roof leaks are typically just signs of a much larger problem. If you discover a leak after you have a roof installed scribbins says to call your roofer and express confidence that he s going to make things right.

Photo by duane stork. Just remember that a small leak will not go away it will only get worse. Shingles don t last forever. Worn out flashing or missing sealant can also cause roof leaks around dormers.

If your roof is fewer than 15 years old it can probably be spot repaired instead of requiring a total replacement.