Leaking roof repair cost: What you need to know

There are so many things that can cause a leaking roof. In part, that’s because roofing technology has come a long way over the years. While roofs are generally stronger and more effective these days, there are also more components that can fail. Some of the major causes of a leaking roof are as follows:

• Age: The older the roof, the more likelihood of a leak occurring.
• Cracked or broken tiles: If your roof has broken tiles, or even missing tiles, leaks are very likely.
• Blocked gutters: If you allow debris to build up in your gutters, it can cause damage to the roof and therefore cause leaks.
• Damage to penetrations: This refers to any damage found around ventilation, skylights, chimneys and other deliberate penetrations to the roof. If these aren’t sealed properly or installed poorly, leaks can occur.
• Cracked flashing: The flashing is designed to help water run away from the most important parts. But it can also become cracked or damaged and cause leaks.
• Damaged ridges: Many metal roofing styles use ridge caps to protect joins. They work well, but if damaged they can be a source of leaks.
• Storms and bad weather: Because your roof feels the full force of nature, heavy rains, hail and even wind can damage your roof.

These issues more commonly occur in older houses, but that’s only speaking in general terms. Improper installation of new roofing materials can also be damaged extremely easily, which is why you should always consult professionals for roofing repairs.

Needless to say, water getting into your home unexpectedly is never going to be a good thing. But just how bad can it get? There are several side effects of a leaking roof, including:

• Mould: The first place that water gathers after finding its way through the roof is in your roof cavity. This is already a warm part of the house, so the combination of water and heat is likely to lead to mould in your roofing cavity. This mould can also spread to your internal ceiling, affecting the paint on the ceiling and walls.
• Fire hazards: If water I s allowed into your home where there is a lot of electrical wiring, this can be a recipe for disaster.
• Structural concerns: When timber gets wet, it begins to rot. Not only will this likely attract pests, but it can seriously affect the structural integrity of your roof and the entire home.
• Wall damage: While the roof cavity and ceiling are the two most affected areas, let’s not forget that water usually only travels one way – down. So, if water gets to your ceiling, it will likely make its way down the walls, damaging paint, plaster, skirting boards and much more.

Unfortunately, it’s a bit like asking how long a piece of string is. All repairs are different. For example, a simple piece of cracked metal roofing or a missing tile can be fixed up quite quickly at little cost to the homeowner. However, more serious issues may require removing large sections of the existing roof (if not all) and addressing the problem.

As a result, there is no set amount that you can expect to pay for leaking roof repairs. The best thing to do is to contact your trusted roofing professionals and ask for a quote.