Ideally, you’ll never have to experience the pain and frustration of a leaky roof. Not only can this issue become a money pit that forces you to reconsider your financial stability, but in many cases, you won’t even realize that your roof is leaking until it’s far too late to prevent significant
damage.

For that reason, you want to inspect your roof regularly to make sure that it’s continuing to do its
job. If necessary, call a professional to come out and see what’s up, just in case you miss
something or aren’t sure what to look for.
That being said, understanding why your roof is leaking is an excellent way to know how to
inspect it properly. So, with that in mind, let’s go over the five most common causes of a leaky
roof.

#1 Roof is Old
When was your current roof installed? If you don’t know the answer to that, it could be time for an upgrade. Depending on the kind of material you have, your roof may need replacing sooner rather than later.

Asphalt shingles are the most common in the United States, but they typically last about 20 years. Even then, that’s only under pristine conditions. If your roof is at least 10 to 15 years old, it may need repair.

#2 Roof Slope is Too Shallow
Most homes in the US have roofs with a deep slope to them. However, if your property has a more shallow slant to it, it could be causing problems. What happens is that wind can get underneath the shingles more easily, causing them to separate from each other and the
underlayer.

When that happens, rain can seep into your roof more easily. Over time, patches of shingles will loosen, and the spot will grow and spread until it’s fixed or replaced.

#3 Old or Damaged Flashing
Wherever there is an edge on your roof, there should also be flashing. If you’re not familiar with the term, flashing is usually a metal piece (often galvanized steel) welded between the underlayer and the shingles. The purpose of flashing is to prevent leaks. However, over time, the metal may warp or crack, which means that it needs to be replaced. Be sure to inspect your flashing for any broken or missing pieces.

#4 Debris
No matter what kind of roofing material you have, it’s likely not designed to handle pooling. If there is debris on your roof (i.e., fallen branches, leaves), then water can pool, which will slowly seep between the shingles. Make sure you clear off any debris as soon as possible so that this
doesn’t happen.

Also, clogged gutters can cause this problem, so be sure to inspect them as well to avoid any pooling along the edges of your roof.
#5 Missing or Damaged Shingles
Whenever there is a storm in your area, you need to check your roof for damage. High winds  can rip off old or worn out shingles, so it’s imperative that you replace them as soon as possible. Even just one missing shingle can cause massive problems, so don’t leave anything to chance.