A leaking roof can be a homeowner’s nightmarish and the actual cause may come from any number of reasons. What you may see as the most obvious problem may not be, and fixing just that may not solve it. Leaks around chimneys can be particularly challenging to diagnose properly as the exact reason for it is not always willingly visible. There may be a visible primary issue, but there could also be underlying secondary issues. It takes real knowledgeable roofing contractors to spot the exact causes of a leak and then repair it appropriately.

These are just some of the main reasons for a leaking roof:

    Flashing issues – Flashing refers to a thin piece of metal that is fitted in joints and seams to avert water from getting in. Flashing can be made from numerous different types of metal; copper is a very common one in older homes and churches. In the case of flashing around a chimney, this can worsen and cause leaks.

Gutters – If a segment of gutter near a chimney is not draining appropriately, the water may find its way within and can appear to be a chimney leak. Cleaning the gutters and downspouts frequently, re-lining box gutters, or modifying hanging gutters may be necessary to fix the issue. There are several different types of gutters made from a variety of materials.

Faults in the roofing materials – For a slate or tile roof, a missing or damaged slate or tile can easily lead to a leak. For a tile roof, old, worn-out underlayment can be causing the problem. For an asphalt roof, the roof material itself may be beyond its service life. Storm damage is one more common cause of leaks in any roof.