A Water Protection System Keeps You Dry
Rain, ice, snow and condensation cause water problems that often show up inside your home. When you see interior water damage, the first thought turns to the roof – is it leaking? But the roof is only one part of a system designed to keep water from infiltrating your home.
The roof is really only the uppermost part of a water protection system that keeps you dry. These components work in tandem to repel or move water to the ground, and it only takes the failure of one of these parts to allow water inside your home. Meaning, your roof can be in perfect shape, but if the gutters are malfunctioning you will eventually see water leaks indoors.
Your home’s water protection system consists of:
● Roof – shingles are like hundreds of well-placed umbrellas atop your home, keeping you dry and directing water toward the gutters, and a roof is only as good as its flashing. Click to learn more about types of roofing materials.
● Flashing – at the intersection of planes and wherever opposing materials meet on your roof is where water will try to get in. Strips of rust-resistant metal are installed in these areas to move water toward the gutters. Flashing is also installed around window and door openings. When flashing is applied wrong (known as reverse flashing) it will actually direct water toward the interior of the home.
● Gutters & Downspouts – gutters collect water coming off the roof and direct it to the downspouts which move the water away from the home’s foundation. Improper installation, damage (like a falling tree limb), being undersized or clogging can cause gutter malfunction, which causes water to backup and damage roof underlayment, soffits and fascia. Downspouts can become clogged or if they deposit waste water too close to the home this water can eventually seep through the foundation and into the basement.
● Siding – siding gives your house its distinctive look while serving double duty to keep water out and move it to the ground. Notice that siding planks are angled down so that water drips off them. Brick and stone facades have built-in channels and weep holes that keep water from making contact with the inner structure of the home. Improper installation of or damage to siding allows water inside.
● Windows – sometimes when it rains, you shut a window to keep rain from coming in. But even a closed window can let water in if it has improper flashing, was installed incorrectly or has developed gaps in its caulking and seals. It is often the area around the window that fails, rather than the window itself.
All of these parts work together to keep you dry, and if one facet of the system fails you will have interior water infiltration. To insure continuous operation, it is a sound idea to update several parts of the system at the same time, when the time comes. For instance, if you’re installing a new roof, take this opportunity to get new gutters and downspouts at the same time.
And remember that proper installation is the key to the best performance and lasting value of your weather protection system. The very best roof shingle that money can buy will fail if the flashing is installed wrong.
Mosby Building Arts specializes in detecting and correcting water problems. They understand the chain of command of water protection so can diagnose the cause and repair or install all the components required to keep you dry. For a water management consultation, or contact them here.
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