A roof leak doesn't always mean you need a new roof. Finding the actual source of the leak is the first and most important step. Water can travel underneath shingles, along roof decking, through insulation, and around framing before it finally appears as a stain or drip inside your home. This means the spot where you see water is not necessarily where the roof is actually leaking.
At Level Built, our roofing expertise allows us to investigate the entire roofing system and identify the most likely source of the problem. We look at the roof covering, flashing, penetrations, drainage, and surrounding areas to determine what is allowing water into your home and find the best solution for your particular roof.
Skylights can be a beautiful way to bring natural light into your home, but they also create an opening through the roof that must be properly waterproofed. Leaks around skylights can develop from deteriorated flashing, damaged roofing materials, failed seals, improper installation, or years of exposure to New England weather.
A skylight leak should not be ignored. Water can enter around the skylight and travel into the roof structure before becoming visible inside your home.
We can inspect the skylight and surrounding roofing to determine whether the problem can be properly repaired, flashed, or whether the skylight itself needs attention.
Plumbing vents and other pipes are necessary penetrations through your roof, but every penetration creates another area that needs to be properly sealed and flashed.
Leaks around pipes can occur when rubber boots deteriorate, flashing becomes damaged, seals fail, or roofing materials around the penetration begin to wear out. New England's constant exposure to freezing temperatures, ice, snow, heat, and UV rays can accelerate deterioration.
A small problem around a pipe can eventually allow significant amounts of water into the roof system.
Roof leaks can come from many different sources, including:
Sometimes the cause is obvious. Other times, finding a roof leak requires experience and careful investigation, especially when water is traveling underneath the roofing system.
A small leak today can become a much larger repair tomorrow.
When water gets into your roofing system, it can potentially damage roof decking, insulation, rafters, sheathing, ceilings, walls, and interior finishes. Continued moisture can also contribute to deterioration and other moisture-related problems.
Finding and addressing a leak early can:
A temporary patch may stop water for a short time, but if the underlying cause isn't addressed, the leak can return.
Our goal is to find the source, understand why it happened, and recommend the best solution for your home. Sometimes that means a simple repair. Other situations may require replacing damaged flashing, addressing a roof penetration, repairing decking, or recommending a larger roofing solution.
If you notice a water stain, dripping water, dampness, or any sign of a roof leak, don't wait for the problem to get worse. Let Level Built take a closer look and help you determine the right course of action for your home.
