Every homeowner dreads a time when they will discover a dirty spot on their ceiling. It is because soon after you notice this spot, the chances are that water will start breaking through, and you have to figure out ways to contain the damage. However, the best way to manage leaks is to understand their causes. When you know the root cause of the issue, it will be simple to mitigate the source instead of dealing with the damage. Here are some problematic situations and what to do about them.

When Your Chimney Is Damaged

Your home's chimney might start leaking because of a variety of causes. The most common cause is metal flashing damage. The flashing is usually installed beneath the shingles. If your chimney has mortar, the issue could be saturation with water, forcing the water into the house. The water might also come in because of cracks at the top of the chimney's masonry.

When Piping Boots Malfunction

Failure of the boots is one of the most common reasons why you might be experiencing leaks inside your home. It is a type of flashing installed around the base of piping emanating from the roof. The role of the boot is to protect the house interior from any damage that might result from erosion around these parts. The initial roofer might have used materials like copper, lead, and plastic. Some also install rubber boots. When the structure breaks, water starts running inside the house, affecting the closets, floor, walls, and all other internal parts of the home. The bedroom, bathroom, and closet are common culprits for damage caused by this failure. The ideal solution is to replace the boot once you notice early signs of deterioration.

When The DIYer Nails the Home Incorrectly

Poor nailing techniques are another common cause of shingles forming holes or cracking and allowing water into the house. Whether the DIYer drove the nails in by hand or used air-nailing, you should ensure that they did it well. If the head works its way back up the shingle, water will trickle through the hole and get inside the building. The leak from an improperly nailed shingle can show up anywhere inside the home. The best repair is letting the contractor remove the nail and drive it back.

The best way to handle leaking is to speak to a professional roofer immediately after seeing the issue. The expert will identify the cause and offer practical solutions, mitigating the damage inside the home. 

For more information, call a local roofing company.