There are many different areas where your roof can leak. The areas that are most prone to leaking are your roof vents, pipes, chimney, valleys, and skylights. All of these areas have great potential to leak if not properly installed and caulked. As a homeowner, it is very important to have annual roof maintenance to ensure that the wind and elements have not compromised the roofs integrity.

Power ventilators and horizontal ridge ventilation play an important role in keeping your attic cool and dry. With the heat of the Summer and the cold of Winter the metal vents have a tendency to expand and contract. This causes the metal to become porous over a period of time. A good caulking each year will help to eliminate most roof vent leaks.

Your roof will have many penetrations that exit the roof top. Pipes from your plumbing system are usually located on the rear of the home. These pipes will be made of PVC material. Your pipes will have a protective collar at the base. It is very important that these pipes be sealed each and every year to maintain their watertight barrier. Hydro Stop is a great system to use to keep the pipes free of roof leaks.

If your home has a fireplace, then you may have dealt with a chimney leak in the past. Many roofing contractors do not install the flashing or the shingles correctly. Most roofers are unsure how to properly install and maintain a chimney. Brick and Stucco require two sets of metal (step flashing / counter flashing) to water proof the base of the chimney. Caulking of the seams will provide additional support for years to come. GAF has a manual that will explain the proper installation for all types of chimneys.

If you have the option, I suggest that you install a valley liner prior to shingle installation. The valley liner is very inexpensive and can provide years of protection from the elements. Having the valley cleaned yearly will help to prevent roof rot and decay. A roofing gauge can be used to evaluate your roof system for high levels of Zinc. It is important that Zinc be in your shingles to prevent algae growth.

Many homeowners have traditional skylights installed onto their roof structure. Over time the glass and metal frame become frail and brittle and they will begin to leak. You should replace your skylights every ten years whether they are leaking or not. Annual roof coatings at the base of the frame will prevent most roof leaks prior to the ten year time frame for replacement.