If you’re currently experiencing a leaking roof the chances are that the main cause is from the roof deck.
Chances are that the source of the roof leak is caused by a chimney or roof protrusion. As I recently stated, the importance of a sound chimney flashing is crucial to the integrity of the entire roofing system and preventing other leaks. However, sometimes a roof leak has other contributing factors.
Aside from the typical sources of a leaking chimney, such as failed metal flashing, or the point that the chimney flashing meets the chimney itself, there is another problem that seems to be a common culprit to instigating roof leaks altogether, and that is rotten roof boards or delaminated plywood.
Delaminated Plywood:
Delamination occurs when the structure of the plywood is compromised from either heat or water. In this instance we will be addressing the factor of heat degradation.
The majority of roof tear off jobs that Total Exterior Pros performs have substantial problems that are related to the delamination of the plywood deck. The fact is, whether it be rotten deck boards or delaminating plywood, when the roof deck fails it is most certain to cause problems throughout the entire roofing system; especially the asphalt shingles.
In most cases a home or building owner has no clue that the decking was compromised, because typically failed decking is not something that just happens over the course of a couple of days or weeks. It takes months and even years for a roof deck to fail to the point that the barrier itself cracks, separates, or otherwise fails to create a water tight barrier. In some cases a roofing system might have been leaking for months before the leak is even noticed. Further, when it comes to repairing the leak it is important that you do it correctly, and this necessarily requires you to determine why the roof deck failed to begin with. It would be foolish to address the symptom without addressing the problem.
Essentially there are two primary causes to a failed roof deck. The first and most obvious is water infiltration. This obviously happens when the barrier or flashing fails and allows water to come into contact with the deck. The second and least known culprit is dry-rot of the roof boards or delaminating of plywood. This is primarily caused from inadequate roofing ventilation. Suffice it to say that it is very important to identify and address the source or problem of why your roof deck is failing and causing the roofing system to fail and leak.
For a FREE estimate to check the status of your roof, please feel free to contact us and we would be happy to inspect your roof to see if the deck shows signs of delamination or otherwise.
