Why Does My Roof Only Leak in Heavy Rain?
If your roof leaks only in heavy rain or with wind from a particular direction, the cause is usually one of four things. Here is how to narrow it down.
Key takeaways
- Wind driven rain getting under tiles via failed pointing or felt.
- Blocked gutter overflow soaking back under the eaves.
- Cracked or missing lead flashing around a stack.
- Cracked tile or slate that lets water in only above a threshold.
Wind driven rain
If the leak only happens with wind from a particular direction, water is being pushed up under tiles or into a gap that is normally weatherproof. Usually the felt has failed under the tiles in that area and water tracks back into the loft. Fix is to lift the tiles, refelt that section, and re lay.
Gutter overflow
Heavy rain plus a blocked gutter equals overflow back into the eaves. Water comes in along the wall plate. Fix is gutter clean, sometimes new brackets or a section of gutter. Often misdiagnosed as a roof leak when it is a gutter problem.
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Failed lead flashing
Lead around a chimney that has cracked or pulled away will only leak when there is enough water hitting it to find the gap. Light rain runs past, heavy rain pools and finds the way in. Fix is new lead, dressed properly into chase cuts.
Cracked tile or slate threshold leak
A hairline crack in a tile or slate may only let water through above a certain rainfall rate. A roofer can inspect it in safe conditions and quote for replacement.
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About the author
David Boardman founded Boardman Roofing in 2018. Dave has 25 years on the tools. Read 150+ Google reviews or call 07879 736629.
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150+ Google reviews. Dave has 25 years on the tools.
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