Are you experiencing leaking from your roof? Are you wondering why it is leaking? Or maybe you are not having leaking issues now, but you will in the future because your roof has damage that will get progressively worse over time and cause a leak. No matter what, it is good to know the reasons why roofs leak. Minnesota roofing contractors can definitely tell you the reasons because they are used to fixing leaks with a number of different causes.

But know that there are some things that you can look out for that tell you whether or not your roof is leaking or is about to leak. Those things include:

• Brown patches on the dry walls of the ceiling
• Rotting of the framing system, which is indicative of an already existing leak
• A dampness in the attic that should not be there
• Signs of water damage in the attic or you begin to see brown patches or wet spots in your ceiling

What you need to do is have an annual or biannual inspection by a Minnesota roof inspector. Many roofing companies in Minnesota provide such a service so that you can take care of any problems with your roof before any major damage occurs. The best time for you to have an inspection is during the late spring and the fall.

As for why roofs leak, here are some of the causes:

Some blame their asphalt shingles for the leaks on their roofs, but it is not always the shingles. Sometimes there are faults in the flashing that surrounds fans, vents, chimneys, and skylights. If the season is particularly rainy or windy, this can cause the caulking in the flashing to become dry. Throw the sun into the equation and you have caulking that starts to crack, leading to a seal that loosens up and allows water to come in.

Old age is another reason behind a leaky roof. When a roof has reached the end of its life, it will weaken. Shingles will crack and curl and this can cause tears. The mineral granules are disappearing. Many do over time, but they will start to fall away even faster. Depending on an individual’s budget, a complete roof replacement may be in order. However, unless there is more than one out of every 5 shingles damaged, a simple repair may suffice for a while.

If you have experienced bad storms in your area where the wind has whipped around quite a bit of debris, you may find that flying tree branches and other airborne items have hit your roof and caused damage. The roofing can become cracked, which will ultimately lead to a leak.

And, of course, there is ice that gathers on the eaves and creates an ice dam. Ice dams can bend the entire framing system and Minnesota ice dams are certainly no mystery to roofing contractors. This is why they have measures that they use to prevent ice dams and save you a lot of money in the future.

Tags: Ashphalt Leaky Shingles, Minneapolis Leaky Roofing, MN Leaky Roofing, Roof Leak Identification, Roofing Inspection