1. The Age of Your Roof

Over time, materials like roof tiles and metal roofing materials can deteriorate due to continual expansion and contraction and weather wear and tear. The integrity of some roof structures can also be affected by time and age. Arrange a check-up for your roof to make sure it is within its life-expectancy.

2. The Skylight

Skylights help to create a light and airy feel in an attic area or in the property where natural light is too limited, and for the most part they are pretty good at resisting leaks. However, this can change over time. If you begin to notice water staining around skylight edges, you need to get the skylight checked out.

3. The Stuffed Gutter

Water needs to flow somewhere and if your gutters are clogged up with leaves and other debris, that somewhere is not going to be where you want it. To prevent water flowing back into vulnerable places in your roof, give your gutters a regular cleaning and make sure the water can easily be transported away.

4. The Dodgy Flashing

Flashing is very useful for sealing over joins and other points where water can potentially leak in, but it needs to be done properly. If flashing is faulty or substandard, you are leaving the back door open to potential leaks, so make sure that it is slammed shut.

5. The Box Gutter

If they are in locations where leaf debris can accumulate this can cause massive blockages and overflows and roof leaks in storm conditions. If they are old they can also begin to rust out and leak. Get all your box gutters checked for proper operation every year.

6. The Valley Gutter

Valley gutters collect the water from two pitched sections of roof and channel rainfall run off down to lower perimeter gutters. Wind velocity and direction, and the sheer volume of rain can allow excess water to shoot over the edge of older valley gutters where turn backs have been crushed and flattened. Most walking on roofs is done up and down valley areas because it is safest, but untrained feet can cause valley gutter problems and create leaks, which would need to be traced to the source to repair.

7. The Chimney

A sure fire way to cause a leak in a roof is to make a huge hole in it, and that’s exactly what a chimney aperture is. A chimney stack can be professionally sealed and protected to make it as watertight as possible, but it is still a major risk factor for your roof.