Preventing Roof Leaking Caused by Wind Driven Rains
It can be difficult to tell exactly where leaks are coming from in your roof and even more difficult to tell why they have started. If you have horizontal roof boards for instance the leak can be located several feet away from the wet patch on your ceiling or in your attic. The causes of a leaking roof can range from wear and tear to roof leaking by wind driven rain. Wind driven rain can cause a problem and be difficult to fix. Often a roof can be in perfect condition but because the wind drives the rain across and upwards it can get under the eave and under the roof.
Hemming the roof edges
Hemming the edges of the roof means bending the underneath to an angle of 180 degrees. This will stop the rain getting under and causing roof leaking by wind driven rains. It is quite possible that your roof doesn't actually have a leak but the wind driven rain can cause the sheathing to get wet inside, and this may give the appearance that you have a leak when you haven't.
The biggest causes of damage to your roof
Wind and rain are the two biggest causes of damage to any roof. Wind blows shingles off the roof while the rain beats down and either causes collections of rainwater that build up and eventually break through the roof causing a leak or the rainwater finds its way through the gaps that the wind has made. Either way the damage can be huge and it can cost a lot to repair especially if you don't act quickly. When you have a new roof fitted you should ensure that it is protected against roof leaking by wind driven rains.
Weather proof lining
You can install a layer of weather proof lining under the shingles to prevent a lot of the roof leaking by wind driven rains. This ensures that if water does get through, the lining effectively acts to keep that water from making it any further into the house. However, these aren't the only ways to prevent the causes of roof leaking by wind driven rain and any minor damage can soon become major damage when wind driven rain starts to come into play. If you have minor damages to your roof then it is important that you get them fixed as soon as you possibly can.
Ensuring a long life for your roof.
Looking after your roof is vital to ensuring its long-term survival. Fix any damage as soon as it shows itself and make sure that repairs are done properly. You should also ensure that you have an annual maintenance check to discover damage that may have been done but has yet to become obvious. Through these maintenance checks and quick action when you notice any damages you can ensure that you get the longest life possible out of your roof and suffer from as few leaks as possible.
August, 2005
Copyright 2005 Roofer 911.com. All Rights Reserved
by Steven Briesemeister. Reprinted courtesy of Roofer 911.com, roofing contractor serving Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, NY and northern Virginia.