Roof leaks affect hundreds of Nashville homeowners every year. Water damage can be hard on the structure of your home, but it can also affect your family’s possessions. When you need a roof leak repair in Nashville, TN, you may need some experienced voices to help you determine the overall damage to the roof.
Fix or Forget it?
How do you know whether you should replace or repair your roof? It depends on your situation, of course, but there are some guidelines to follow. First and foremost, consider simply replacing the entire roof, especially if it is older. Most shingle roofs are designed to last around 20 years or so (although our roofs can last as much as 50). If your home is older and the roof is nearing the end of its life, you will probably save money in the long run if you replace the whole thing.
In most cases, a repair is all that’s needed for a newer home. This isn’t always true, though. The extensiveness of your roof damage is a huge factor when deciding whether to replace or repair. If only a small portion is damaged and the rest is in good shape, repairing is a better option. If the majority of the shingles are missing, however, it’s better to recover it entirely.
Another exception to the newer roof guideline is if the shingles, tiles, or tin sheets weren’t installed properly. Even a brand new home will need total roof replacement in some cases, such as if the shingles weren’t fasted correctly.
The best way to decide which path to follow is by contacting our roofing experts. Our estimates are always 100% free and without obligation, so we can offer professional advice at no extra charge.
Top Causes of Leaking Roofs
Many different things can cause your roof to leak. In almost all cases, leaks are the direct result of immediate damage. For roof leak repair in Nashville, TN, these are the most common culprits behind water damage:
- Hail. There are very few hailstorms here in Nashville, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be dangerous when they occur. Any time your roof is hit with these chunks of ice, check the surrounding area after the storm has passed for loose shingles, granules, or other signs of damage.
- Flashing cracks. The flashing protects the seams in your roof from wind and water. Settling is a very common reason for flashing cracks among new houses, but there are other causes, too (like roof rats and old age). When the flashing is brittle and damaged, you’re likely to have a leak.
- Shingle damage. The shingles on your roof are the first line of protection against water. When they’re old, broken, or lifted, they can allow big leaks. It’s always a good idea to get your roof checked if you notice any shingles on the ground or flapping in the wind.
- Poorly installed flashing. Even though it’s crucial to your roof, unprofessional teams may not place and seal your flashing properly. Trying to find a “good deal” on roofing could end up costing you here.
- Old or damaged vent booting. This rubber is made to provide a flexible seal between your stiff shingles and metal roof vents. Without the proper application, this material can come loose and lead to potentially serious leaks. Old age can cause dry rotting, too, which leads to the same issue.
- Icy roofs. We don’t see a whole lot of ice here in Nashville, but it does happen occasionally. Moisture buildup on the edges of your roof can cause expansion between the components when the water freezes. The result could be torn shingles or other types of damage.
- Badly fitted skylights. These cutouts offer some beautiful brightness to your home, but if they’re installed incorrectly, they can leak around the frames and lead to serious water damage.
- Blocked gutters. If your gutters are full of leaves and debris, they can’t slough water away from the house. This blockage forces them to hold moisture and can result in potentially expensive leaks.
- Broken chimneys. When chimneys crack, they can pull away from the roof at their base or have water leak within them.
- Damaged tiles or tin. Although these coverings are less common than shingles, damage to them can still pose big problems. Storms are a particular cause for damage to roof tiles, so they should be checked after bad weather.
No matter the reason behind your roof repair, call in local Nashville roofers at Mr. Roof. We’re the nation’s preferred roofer because we combine speed, experience, and incredible value with the best guarantees around.