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Common Roof Leak Locations

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Leaks in a new or old roof are never to be taken lightly.  Besides causing havoc on your home every time it rains, it is more than likely a hint at a larger roofing problem, which can then cause havoc on your finances.  Knowing the common locations of roof leaks could be the difference between a small home repair or an entire new roof. 

Flashing

Your roofing’s flashing, long, thin sheets of metal used as water-resistant barriers underneath your shingles, can break causing large cracks that allow water in.  Flashing can be concealed with tar that can sometimes corrode with time.  In the event that your flashing is exposed,  wind and rain can cause a crack thus resulting in a roof leak. 

How To Fix

If the flashing is severely corroded, it will need to be replaced which usually requires shingle removal which may best be performed by your roofing contractor.  Minimal corroded flashing can easily be fixed with roofing cement by applying it in the smaller corroded holes or cracks.  For larger cracks use the cement to adhere another piece of flashing on top of the damaged area and then covering the newer flashing piece with more cement on top.

Shingles

Shingles are the first line of defense against the weather like rain and wind that can bear on your roof.  Missing shingles can be the first sign of a leak and are easiest for a homeowner to spot by simply scanning their rooftop.  You may even spot your roof shingles on your lawn.   

How To Fix

Replacement of the broken or missing shingles will fix instantly. 

Valleys

Roof valleys are very prone to leaks since it is the place where water accumulates before running off into the gutters.  When a leak occurs at a valley it is typically due to poor structure in the beginning or erosion overtime that allows water to enter as it runs down the roof.

How To Fix

This leak location is best fixed by a qualified roofer due to the complexity of the task where they will most likely lay a new valley barrier and lay new shingling on top.  If you can find the source of the leak by looking for wet spots along the seams, you may be able to apply a temporary fix with roof sealant or cement without having to remove any shingles.  This is a short period, temporary fix and you should contact your contractor right away for a long-term fix. 

Vents

A roof vent is the small pipe sticking out of your roof meant to rid of excess water from inside your home.  They are usually sealed with flashing and a rubber “boot” where the vent pokes out of your roof.  These again, can become cracked or decayed overtime creating leaks in your roof.  When a leak occurs due to your vent, it will usually leave dark spots and a mustiness in your attic. 

How To Fix

A vent leak can easily be fixed by replacing the boot and flashing with a new one. 

Skylights

Skylights are prone to leaking since they by nature penetrate the surface of a roof.  The area around a roof skylight can begin leaking due to improper installation or decay of insulation around the skylight area.  Skylights usually come with flashing from the skylight manufactures and the seal between the flashing and your roof is known to originate leaks.

How To Fix

When checking your skylight for leaks, clear any debris around or on the skylight and look for cracks or holes that can be caulked.  If none are visible, move on to inspect the skylight flashing and replace as needed.

Gutters

Clogged gutters cannot prevent water from running off your roof, thus pooling the water in one area of your roof leading to leaks.  You may be able to view the gutter blockage from the ground but more than often it is unseen and why cleaning your gutters regularly is so important.

How To Fix

Clean your gutters routinely for debris.

Catching a leak early can save you both time and money.  Add these most common roof leak locations to your home maintenance checklist to catch a leak as soon as it begins.  If you cannot locate the origin of the roof leak or need assistance in fixing it, contact EMA Construction’s qualified roofing team.

How to Pick a Shingle Color

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The best advice when choosing a shingle color for your roof is to pick the one you like the bes, you are going to have to live with the decision for 20 to 30 years or more! No matter if your roof is metal, slate, or asphalt, there are a number of color choices to pick from in different shades and hues.

Here are some tips to picking the color of your roof’s shingles:

Consider The Climate

Your roof’s color can alter the temperature of your attic by 20 to 40 degrees and effect your home’s overall heating and cooling. The greatest difference is found when comparing dark vs. light roofing colors, while the in-between grays and browns do not show as big of a difference in tempature. Typically lighter shingles reflect sunlight more and keep home temperatures down while darker shingles absorb heat and help warm a home during the colder months.

Know Your Home’s Style

Your home’s style is an obvious sign as to which shingle style and color you should lean more towards. There are a number of companies today that offer roof planning tools to assist in finding the best roofing option for different styles of homes. These are typically software based and involve providing a picture of your home or similar style selection to view different colored roofs. When shopping for your roofing material make it a point to inquire about these helpful tools to assist in your roofing decisions.

Complement The Colors of Your Home

The color of your roof plays an important role in the overall tone of your house. The goal is to complement the colors of your home rather than to match them exactly which can leave your exterior feeling monotone and boring. Brick, paint, and existing siding colors should all be considered before deciding on the color of your shingles. Place the samples on your roof where these elements meet together in order to compare all the colors of your home at once.

If the other elements of your home are busy with multicolor tones, then consider a single shingle color that will not be too overwhelming to the eye. In comparison, if your exterior is already feeling monotone, a vivid, multicolor shingle can add some visual interest and curb appeal. Typically, dark gray or black shingles work well with blue or white colored homes for the more traditional feel while green, red, or yellow painted homes allow more flexibility to choose between brown, gray or black shingles.

View Different Shingle Samples

Examine your top shingle choices in person. Compare your choices with your current roof shingles to see how they might differ or vary. View your samples in both the sun and shade to make sure you like the color in all forms of lighting.

Consider Your Neighbors

Your surrounding neighbors can potentially be greatly impacted by your choice of roofing style and color. It is important to consider how your home’s roof will complement your neighborhood as well. This is both for the good of your overall neighborhood as well as the resale value of your home. If you plan to sell your house, an eye-catching brightly colored roof may deter future buyers. On the other hand, try not to clone your closest neighbors with home style and roofing color creating a duplicate feel in the neighborhood. It is best to be harmonious and not clash while still staying individual.

Conclusion

Take your time choosing the color of your roof’s shingles, it is just as important as any other exterior element of your home and will outlast most of the other choices you make. EMA Construction’s qualified roofers are able to advise you on the different color options and what compliments your home best.

DIY: Minor Roofing Problems That You Can Handle

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Re-roofing a house is a major undertaking and should be handled by a roofing professional in most cases, but minor maintenance and repairs are doable by skilled DIYers.  The most common roofing problems homeowners can solve themselves are minor leaks and broken shingles.  We’ve shared some DIY tips as well as safety information below.

Minor roofing leaks are most often caused by a torn shingle or shingles or a small hole in the flashing.  The most obvious sign of a leak in your home are water signs running across your ceiling.  The hardest part of a roof leak is finding the source, the rest is pretty simple.  Small leaks can lead to greater problems such as mold, rotten wood, or insulation issues so its key to find and fix it quickly.

The first step to finding the source of the leak in your roof is to look at your roof uphill from the stains for any penetrations.  Penetrations can be anything that projects through the roof itself such as plumbing or roof vents and chimneys.  The leak is typically right above the penetration or to the left or right of it.  If your house has an attic, the best way to look for the leak is to search for evidence such as water stains, mold, or black marks in the attic itself with a flashlight.  If you are having difficulty finding the source of the leak, get on your roof with a garden hose while someone else is inside the home looking at the ceiling where the water marks are noticeable.  Keeping track of the roof section by section, run the water over the roof for an extended period of time while the person inside looks for the water vapors on the ceiling.  This option takes time and patience, but it will give you at least an area to inspect even closer for the leak. 

Once you’ve found the source of the leak, look in the area for any damaged, curled, or missing shingles.  With curled shingles, simply straighten them back out.  During the cold months, a blow dryer is the best tool to assist you in heating up the shingle in order to be able to straighten it correctly.  The blow dryer won’t damage the shingle or cause a fire hazard.  Once the curled shingle is straightened, apply asphalt roof cement or compound around the exposed edges.  If the shingle lifts easily out or breaks or crumbles, then it needs to be removed, to remove the shingle follow these steps:

  • Scrape any leftover cement from where the old shingle was
  • With a utility knife, round the back corners of the new shingle
  • Place the new shingle in place and hammer in 1 1⁄4 inch (3.2 cm) galvanized roofing nails into the upper corners.  Finally cover the nail heads with roof cement.

If none of your shingles appear to be damaged, inspect connecting surfaces on your roof like your chimney or vent pipes.  If there is any damage to the caulking around the connecting surfaces, reapply where necessary. 

  • Using a putty knife, remove the old caulking so your new caulking can attach cleanly to the roof or flashing.
  • Clean and dry the area.
  • Place the new caulking around the same line where the old caulk was previously.  Let it dry.

If larger repairs exist, the flashing around your chimney, etc. may need to be replaced entirely.

If your leak is only present during the winter months on warmer or sunnier days, then this is most likely due to an ice dam and is in need of professional assistance.  To learn more about ice dams and how to prevent, click here.

With over 20 years of experience, EMA Construction’s qualified roofers are able to advise you on any roofing issues, big or small.  If you are ever unsure of your roofing skills or unable to find the source of a leak in your home, do not hesitate to reach out to a professional for assistance.  Feel free to call us at (513) 278-8362 or email us with any of your roofing concerns.

How to Finance a New Roof

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After researching, weighing the different options, and choosing the right roofing contractor the next step comes with financing.  A new roof can be expensive and overwhelming to figure out how to afford all the materials and installation that comes with it.  Luckily, if you haven’t stashed away enough cash to pay for a new roof, there are a variety of options to obtain its financing.  EMA Construction can help you find the right financing option for you and your budget.

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

With a home equity line of credit, your home is used as collateral and the loan can be stretched out for a certain number of years with low monthly payments.  Home improvement has become the number one use of HELCOs so it makes sense for most homeowners to use the credit to pay off their new roof over time.  According to mortgage broker, Ted Rodd, generally speaking, a home equity line of credit is faster and less expensive than refinancing.  There are other contributing factors to consider such as your current mortgage rate, the value of your home and how much you owe on it, and your credit scores so make sure to consult a mortgage broker before taking out the equity on your home.

Home Improvement Loan

If you wish to not use your home as collateral to finance your new roof, a home improvement loan is an option that will keep your home’s equity intact.  Instead, a home improvement loan can be backed by your personal income or credit history to pay for financing.  Similar to HELOCs, home improvement loans are low in interest and don’t have many other fees associated with them, but are harder to qualify for and are unsecured.  To qualify, most home improvement loans require an excellent credit history, a substantial income, and a history of good savings. 

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Title I loans

A FHA Title I Loan is a loan insurance program covered by the National Housing Act taken from the bank or other lenders from their own funds.  Property owners who qualify for this type of loan typically have good credit and low home equity.  The basis of an FHA Title I loan is to make a home more livable and useful, it can be used to pay for a contractor’s materials and labor and can be used for energy-conserving home improvements, such as a new roof.  These types of loans are typically easy to obtain by simply filling out an application with a lender of your choice.  To find an FHA-approved lender in your area, call HUD’s Customer Service Center toll-free: (800) 767-7468 for a list of lenders in your state.

Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)

Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) can help finance your new roof if it is energy efficient.  The database has lists of policies and incentives by state for energy-efficient improvements to your home, for more information click here to visit their website.  Also research the Department of Energy for tax credits and rebates when refinancing an energy-efficient roof.

Credit Cards

If you are personally organized and careful with your spending and qualify for a zero-interest credit card, you may use it towards your new roof.  It is suggested to break the financing costs into 12 monthly payments and the card should be used solely for the purpose of a new roof.

If pulling from your savings to finance a new roof for your home is out of the question, then consider researching further the above financing options to find one that will work best for you and your family.  Either way, EMA Construction’s qualified roofers will be able to assist you in your decision for the best possible outcome.  No one should feel the burden of home improvement repairs.

How to Hire the Best Roofing Contractor

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Every roof slowly deteriorates over the course of time as it is buffeted by the weather.  Eventually, you’ll find yourself in need of a new roof or roof repair.  It is often tempting to make a choice of roofing specialists and contractors based entirely on financial criteria.  What looks like good value at first glance can often turn into a money pit of hidden charges and extra costs further down the line. In order to help you in this process, we’ve compiled a list of things to look out for and a checklist for how to acquire a professional contractor.

Unprofessional work can have a multitude of related problems which include, but are not limited to:

  • If if the roof does not provide an adequate waterproof barrier, damage will likely be caused to the structure directly below the roof, the home and its contents.
  • Inflated costs and charges are a common ploy used by some who will try to charge the client as much as possible. Playing on the fact that new problems can be uncovered during a regular roof installation, as well as the knowledge that many people will not want to find a new contractor mid-job, problems and their solutions can be exaggerated to the point of exploitation.
  • Work may be left unfinished for a length of time, or in some cases, abandoned altogether before completion, which leaves the home exposed to the weather and the damage that this could bring, as well as the increased inconvenience and disruption to your normal lifestyle.

These problems can be avoided by using the following 6 point checklist below to help acquire reputable and fully-qualified tradesmen:

  1. Obtain several quotes from various companies and local skilled workers as this will give you a good idea as to what a competitive price and timeline is for the work you have.
  2. Ensure that the company is legitimate by checking tax numbers, business address, and contact details as well as their website, and a search into any associations or regulatory bodies that they advertise on their site.
  3. Perform a web search against their company name to find any online reviews from other customers.  Read both positive and negative reviews to get a good idea of what is normal conduct for the company.
  4. Ask the contractor for a list of references made up of clients of recently completed work.
  5. Check which official guilds or associations have authority in your area both locally and nationally and then make inquiries to them with regards to your chosen contractor.
  6. Read through the detailed contract and warranty carefully and look for specific materials which are to be used, the daily working hours and number of workers and clean-up specifications as well as the price quoted for the job.

There is always a small chance you will come across a contractor who will try to provide either an unprofessional service or an ineffective product, but acting with due diligence and spending time researching your available options will greatly help to inform you in making the correct decision and could actually go a long way to saving you money in the long term.