5 Tips to Prevent Roof Leaks & Water Damage

Prevent Roof Leaks and Water Damage

The best way to stop a leaky roof is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Damage to your roof isn’t always preventable. Excessive rainwater and natural disasters aren’t controllable, or always predictable, factors. However, there are steps in prevention from the normal and everyday you can take as a homeowner.

Small roof leaks cause rotting wood, mold, and mildew just like a larger leak. Unfortunately, these small leaks are usually undiscoverable by the untrained eye, which makes roof inspections very important to prevent a complete roof replacement. Leaks aren’t always obvious, so here are tips to keep in mind regarding leak prevention.

  1. Inspect your roof regularly. Professional contractors are trained to notice the little details and may be better at spotting early signs of leakage.
  2. Maintain your gutters and downspouts. Pay special attention when melting snow freezes and ice dams form. These dams block your gutters, backing up water that can seep back up under your shingles.
  3. Replace damaged and missing shingles. This protects your home from rot and water damage.
  4. Keep plants at a distance from your home. Trees and bushes welcome algae and moss buildup that can spread onto your roof. Tree branches can also scratch your roofing materials.
  5. Focus on roof flashing. About 90% of leaks happen here, but it’s very easy to repair or replace. Being active about your roof flashing health will prevent water from leaking through your chimney, vents, skylights, and other areas of your roof.

Despite your preventative measures, water damage may still happen! That’s where Octagon comes to the rescue. More than just removing excess water, IICRC-certified restorers like Octagon have the knowledge and equipment to further dry a home or facility (including substructure materials) completely back to pre-loss conditions. You can feel safe when you call us, knowing you receive the very best trained technicians with years of experience – every time.