It is that time of the year we should expect a heavy downpour. Does that worry you? Well, if you have a leaking roof, then you have a good reason to worry. A leaking roof is a nightmare for most people. Think of it this way, it’s raining, and you have to look for a bucket to fetch the water in the middle of the night. Nobody wants to go through that every day.
A roof is one of the most significant investments, and protecting it from roof leaks should be your top priority. Roof leaks happen for many reasons. Find out what you should do to fix your roof leaks at home and enjoy a comfortable shelter.
What causes a roof leak?

Aging of roofing materials

If your roof has been up for over two decades, then you should be worried about roof leaks by now. As roofing material ages, it slowly becomes ineffective at preventing water from penetrating.
Constant harsh weather and fluctuations in temperatures can cause the roofing material to crack or become a bit brittle. The tar that holds the shingles together weakens after some time because of the direct exposure to sunlight.
Aging of roofing materials comes with time, and it is something we cannot prevent. All you can do is ensure you buy the most durable roofing materials like asphalt shingles, shakes, wooden shingles, slate, and plastic polymers. Some of these roofing materials have a lifespan of up to three decades.

Broken Shingles

Broken shingles on your roof also cause roof leaks. It is a bit easy to spot missing shingles from the roof exterior. Look up the roof and find out if there are any discolored shingles or those with patches.
Heavy rains and high winds can sometimes weaken or blow away the shingles. You may end up finding them in your backyard.
To fix broken shingles, you have to remove the spoilt ones and replace them. Lift the shingles so that the nails pop, then pull out the nails to remove the shingles without damaging the underlying roof. Ensure you fix the new shingles with at least four nails to make them firm.

Unsealed valleys

A roof valley is a section of the roofing where some two planes intersect. If your roofer did not fix this section properly, you are likely to have roof leaks because they are always sloppy.
To find out if you have an unsealed valley, search for any wet spots along the roof seams. Ice melts, and extreme rain can cause unsealed valleys. Sometimes your roof valleys can weaken when you step on them. Also, if your roofer did not seal the valleys properly, then that can cause a roof leak.
If you want to fix this kind of roofing issue, you should reach out to an expert roofer. You should not try fixing unsealed valley yourself because of the danger it comes with. Once you hire a roofing expert, they will lay a leak barrier along the unsealed valley.

Final Thought

Proper roof maintenance is essential if you want your roof to last longer. You should always practice roof maintenance, for instance, by ensuring your roof is clean and reaching out to your roofer to fix any leaks on time. Don’t wait until it’s late, especially if you do not have a roof