Find Out Where Your Roof Leaks are Coming From

Unveil the Secrets of Roof Leak Detection: Our Comprehensive Guide Helps You Discover the Sources of Roof Leaks for a Dry and Secure Home

Roof leaks can be frustrating and problematic, but before addressing them, it’s essential to pinpoint their origin. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you identify and understand where your roof may be leaking from.

Determining the Roof Type That Is Leaking

The first step in this process is understanding what type of roof your building has. Your roof’s construction and materials play a crucial role in identifying and addressing leaks. Consider the following questions:

Is it a flat roof?
Does your roof feature metal, such as corrugated iron or IBR (Inverted Box Rib)?
Is it a traditional slate roof, or perhaps a Peter Lo slate roof? Take note of the slate’s colour, whether it’s blue or multicoloured.
Is it a tiled roof? If so, what type of tiles are used? Are they Mediterranean-style clay tiles or standard concrete tiles?
Determining the specific characteristics of your roof is fundamental to understanding its vulnerabilities and potential leak sources.

Locating the Leaks

After identifying your roof type, investigate where the leaks are manifesting inside your building. Leaks can appear above windows, near the chimney, or even in your bathroom. Knowing the exact entry points for water is crucial for efficient troubleshooting.

Unraveling the Complexities

The causes of leaks can be multifaceted, often intertwined with the roof’s construction, material, and maintenance history. Here are a few considerations:

Construction of the Roof: Each roof type has unique vulnerabilities based on its construction. Understanding these nuances is vital for an accurate diagnosis.
Maintenance: In some cases, poorly trained and inexperienced contractors’ maintenance is to blame for leaks. Their work may exacerbate the existing issues or create new ones.

Identifying these complexities is essential for devising effective solutions.

Addressing roof leaks requires a comprehensive assessment. By knowing your roof type, leak locations, and the intricacies involved, you can take informed steps toward resolving the issue. Don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance, especially if you’ve had inexperienced contractors work on your roof. Your diligence will lead to a watertight and secure roof for your building.

Another Category of Roofs is Flat Roofs.

Flat roofs have their own unique challenges, and understanding the diverse categories and potential problems is essential. Let’s delve into the specifics of flat roofs, including the main categories and potential complications, and discover solutions for leak prevention.

Flat roofs generally fall into three main categories:

Concrete Roof Slabs
Concrete Slab Patio Roofs with Tiles
Metal Roofs: IBR (Inverted Box Rib) and Corrugated Profile Sheets

These roofs should never be fitted to flat roofs unless they are called Klip-On Type. These sheets are clipped to brackets that are fitted and fixed to the roof structure, and there is no fixing, making holes in the sheet to fit the sheets. These “Klipon” flat steel roofs are acceptable and leak-free.
When we consider these roof types, there is also a complication of box gutters, which may be blocked with debris, be of inadequate size, or have inadequate provision of downpipes or undersized downpipes. Which will prevent the free flow of water off the roof and cause leakage.
The IBR and corrugated sheeted roofs cannot be successfully repaired by applying waterproofing to the roof sheets because “the waterproofing paint on over “fabric systems” will deteriorate with the UV rays from the sun, and once they have failed, they will absorb water, cause rust to develop, and cause the roof sheets to rust through. and, of course, leaks, which will cause you to have to face the expense of re-roofing.
The only way to avoid costly reconstruction of these roofs is to fit water-resistant boards over the sheets and then apply “torch-on” gas-welded rubberized sheeting over the boards. Once they have been fixed over the roof sheets, and once the new boarded roofing system is complete, it will last 30 to 40 years or more but will require maintenance and service every 3 to 5 years, which is generally a provision of the 10-year guarantee that is offered. This maintenance is relatively inexpensive.

Seek professional help for your flat roof waterproofing.

Addressing Leaks in Tiled Roofs

Tiled roofs can be susceptible to leaks, particularly in areas near valleys and chimneys. Here is the knowledge you need to understand and resolve these issues related to leaks in tiled roofs effectively.

Identifying the Problem
When dealing with tiled roofs and leaks, it’s crucial to focus on areas near valleys and chimneys. These regions are commonly associated with water infiltration. Debris-caused blockages, particularly in the valleys and around the chimney, are frequently the main causes of these leaks.

The Correct Approach
To resolve these issues, a precise and comprehensive approach is necessary. Follow these steps for the best results:

Tile Removal: Begin by carefully removing the tiles located over the valleys. This will expose the area where the leak has occurred.
Valley Flashing: Once the tiles are removed, address the valley flashing. This is a critical step. Ensure the valley flashing is in optimal condition. If not, consider replacing it.
Under Tile Membrane: To guarantee long-term protection against leaks, supply and install a 1-meter-wide SABS Grade “1” under-tile membrane. This membrane should be placed beneath the tile battens in the valley cradle.
Refitting Tiles: After securing the under-tile membrane, reposition the tile battens and valley flashing. Ensure that everything is meticulously fitted.

By following these steps, you can bid farewell to leaks originating from the valleys for the next five decades or even longer.

Leaks in tiled roofs, particularly in valley areas, require precise attention and a systematic approach to repair. Addressing these issues correctly will lead to a watertight and resilient roof, providing long-term protection for your property. Don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance for tile waterproofing solutions to ensure the best results.

Addressing Leaks Around Chimneys and Damaged Tiles

Chimney flashing repairs follow a similar process to valley repairs. However, there are additional factors to take into account when dealing with leaks, particularly those that result from cracked, broken, or leaking tiles. Here’s what you need to know:

Leaks Around Chimneys

To tackle leaks around chimneys, the process is akin to the one used for valleys. This involves:

Removing the tiles surrounding the chimney.
Replacing the chimney flashing.
Supplying and fitting a 1-meter-wide SABS Grade “1” under-tile membrane beneath the tile battens in the chimney cradle
Refitting the tile battens and the chimney flashing
Following these steps, you can say goodbye to chimney leaks for the next 50 years or more.

Addressing Damaged Tiles

When dealing with leaks caused by damaged tiles, the resolution depends on the pitch or slope of the roof.

Roof Pitch Above 25 Degrees
If your roof has a pitch or slope exceeding 25 degrees, replacing the damaged tiles is a straightforward and effective solution. This replacement will rectify the leak and ensure your roof remains watertight.

Roof Pitch Below 25 Degrees
For roofs with a pitch below 25 degrees, the key is to install water-resistant under-tile sheeting. However, there are common reasons why this under-tile sheeting may become damaged:

Tears from Plumbers or Electricians: During their work in the roof void, plumbers and electricians might inadvertently tear the underlay. They sometimes fail to replace it, which can lead to water penetration.

Deterioration of Ageing Underlay: Homes constructed around 30 years ago often featured underlay of inferior quality compared to modern standards. This older underlay may have a lifespan of 30 to 40 years. Over time, deterioration occurs, and the underlay loses its protective abilities.

In both scenarios, addressing the under-tile sheeting is crucial to preventing leaks. Hiring experienced and competent roofing contractors is essential for a precise diagnosis and effective solutions. It’s important to emphasise that contractors recommending waterproofing painted-over tiles for roof leaks are unlikely to achieve lasting success. This method can result in costly reroofing, as tiles treated with waterproofing are typically unsalvageable and need replacement with new tiles.

Addressing Complications in Tiled Roofs: Solving Low-Slope Leaks

Tiled roofs, while beautiful and durable, can present challenges when dealing with leaks, particularly when the roof has a low slope or angle, often below 15 degrees or nearly flat. To effectively address these issues, it’s vital to consider the following factors:

Dependence on Quality Under Tile Membrane
Low-slope tiled roofs rely on a high-quality under-tile membrane to prevent leaks. However, the correct installation of this underlay is paramount. It should be paired with counter battens that elevate the tile battens above the underlay. Without these counter battens, the tile battens may obstruct water leaking through the tile joins and overlaps, impeding proper drainage.
Complex Considerations for Low-Pitch Tile Roofs
Resolving leaks in low-pitch tile roofs involves an array of considerations, and an experienced and skilled roofing contractor knows precisely what to look for. Each roof is unique, and the causes of leaks can vary, requiring a tailored approach for effective repairs.

It’s important to note that relying on contractors who propose the application of waterproofing paint directly onto the tiles to fix a leaking roof is not a viable solution. This method is likely to lead to costly reroofing repairs. Tiles treated with waterproofing paint generally cannot be salvaged and must be replaced with new tiles. Choosing competent and knowledgeable professionals is essential to ensuring lasting, cost-effective solutions for low-slope tile roof issues.

At Roof Waterproofing Company, we specialise in addressing leaks in all types of roofs, from tiled to flat, metal to slate. Our team of experienced professionals is committed to delivering high-quality services that stand the test of time. Whether your roof is showing signs of water infiltration near valleys, chimneys, or anywhere else, we have the expertise to pinpoint the problem and provide lasting solutions. Don’t let a leaking roof compromise the safety and integrity of your property.

Contact us today to discover how our comprehensive services can protect your investment and ensure peace of mind for years to come. Your roof deserves the best, and that’s precisely what we offer: expert solutions for all your roofing needs.