A faulty roof can cause water damage to a building’s interior, exterior, and even the foundation. For instance, during heavy rains, inadequate or faulty roof drainage causes yard flooding, which may expand the soil and trigger foundation upheaval. Our underpinning Melbourne services can repair such foundation issues, but you must fix the roof as well, or the problem may reoccur.

Causes of Roof Leaks

If you patch a leaking roof without identifying the source, the problem will likely recur. Common causes of roof leaks in Melbourne include:

• Broken or missing roofing: Rainwater enters buildings through broken or missing shingles. Roofing tiles and sheets break or come off due to old age, extreme weather, poor maintenance, or something heavy hitting the surface.
• Damaged ridge tiles or caps: Ridge caps protect your roofing where two tiles or sheets meet at your roof’s peak. If the cap is missing, broken, or improperly installed, water can enter your building.
• Defective chimney waterproofing: Every part of your chimney that touches your roof requires flashing to prevent water seepage. Flashing deterioration due to age or faulty installation creates a pathway for water seepage.
• Faulty gutters: Instead of diverting runoff water to your drainage system, clogged or poorly installed gutters will retain rainwater. The retained water will overflow and seep into your building through the roof or windows. The overflow can also damage your building’s foundation, which may need underpinning Melbourne services to repair.

How to Fix a Leaking Roof

Procrastinating fixing a leaking roof will lead to the problem becoming worse and damaging other parts of your property. For instance, a leaking roof can:

• Damage your ceiling, floors, and walls
• Ruin your attic and any possessions stored in it
• Make your interior energy-inefficient
• Lead to electrical accidents
• Trigger mould and mildew growth
• Reduce your property’s market value

Depending on your budget and the extent of the damage, you can fix a leaking roof in one of three ways.

Repair the Damaged Portion

If the faulty area is small, fixing the damaged portion of your roof is cost-effective and enough to restore your property. The problem might require replacing broken shingles, roofing tiles or sheets, or resealing damaged flashing.

Install a New Roof Over the Old One

Installing a new roof over the old one saves time and money. While it is cost-effective, it is not the best option for a long-term solution. If you have an extensively damaged roof, the new roof may eventually become too heavy for the sub-roof to bear. Also, the underlying roof may rot over time.

Remove the Old Roof and Install a New One

Taking off the old roof to install a new one may be expensive and time-consuming, but it is the best choice for long-lasting results. Depending on the roofing material, a brand new installation can last for fifty years.

Conclusion

Repairing your leaking roof yourself is a budget-friendly option if you have the tools and know-how, but working on a roof is dangerous. For safety reasons, let experienced and licensed professionals handle your roof repairs and installation. With increasingly erratic climate events, storm related damage and issues are becoming more frequent so it pays to keep your home in a good state of repair and be up to date on its status.