With the roof being perhaps the most important part of a house, a leak can pose a serious problem. In the majority of cases a roof will last a good number of years but eventually it can leak. What are the major causes of roof leaks?
The most prevalent cause that demands roof repair in Edmonton is aging and weathering. A roof is no different than anything else, the moment it is completed it begins to age. The primary cause of roof aging is of course weathering. A roof takes a beating, it is constantly subjected to everything that nature can throw at it; blazing sun, pelting rain, snow, ice and relentless wind. Over a period of time the roof mat weakens and the roofing felt begins to dry out. The result is that the roofing felt becomes brittle; it begins to crack and split as the tar and oils are leached out. Eventually the roof reaches a point where the effects of constant expansion and contraction lead to a situation where the roof leaks.
Although not as common as aging, another reason why roof repair in Edmonton may become necessary is settlement of the house. Any structure will settle unless it is constructed on bedrock. If the house settles more than what it was designed to compensate for the entire structure is placed under considerable stress; not only the foundation and the walls, but the roof as well. If there is enough movement of the structure it can create a situation where the roof leaks.
A roof can leak due to poor construction as well. There are times when a roof is built when the weather is unfavorable for outdoor activities. The company that is building the house or the sub contractor hired to put the roof on may have to meet a strict deadline. The result can easily be moisture trapped under the shingles; this can lead to premature failure. There is a tendency to economize in the building business; at times a contractor might cut corners when constructing the roof; inadequate decking, sub-standard roofing felt and poor insulation can all lead to premature failure.
It is less of a problem with a home but mechanical damage is often the reason for roof failure in a commercial building. In many cases the roof of a commercial structure is the location of air conditioning and heating equipment, the elevator lifting equipment, etc. This type of machinery requires considerable maintenance and as a result the constant traffic from service personnel can cause the integrity of the roof to break down. Although it may only be a ladder or a box of heavy tools, they can easily damage the roof which quickly results in a weak point where water can get through.
