Vent Pipes | Vent Caps Frequently Cause Roof Leaks

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Vent Pipe Causing Roof Leak in Round Lake Beach, Illinois

Vent Pipe Causing Roof Leak in Round Lake Beach, Illinois

Corroded metal vent pipes and vent pipe caps, as well as improper seals and flashings are often the cause of roof leaks in many northern Illinois homes we visit annually.  Vent pipes on your roof are installed to allow gas to escape from your home.  This gas may come from bathrooms or kitchens.  The gas travels up through the vent pipes and exits above the roof line.

When properly installed and maintained, the vent pipes allow the gas to escape and the caps prevent water dripping into your home’s pipes down the open end of the vent pipes during rains and storms.  Opening and cracks in those pipes’ elbows, joints and/or connections may cause damage to your interior and belongings. Continue reading →

Some Common Causes Of | Repairs To A Leaking Roof

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There is always a right and a wrong way to do things and installing a roof certainly is no exception. Installing a roof incorrectly is just as detrimental as having the leaky roof problem in the first place.

This company did and here are some of the potential causes of roof leaks as shown vividly by the pictures and solutions to the roof leak problem: Continue reading →

Avoid Roof Leaks This Fall | Clean Gutters and Downspouts

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You should clean your home’s gutters and downspouts and free them of leaves and twigs each fall and spring to get rid of the debris build up. Gutters or downspouts blocked by excessive debris can cause water to back up in a downpour and in some cases even overflow the gutters. When the gutters are blocked, the water simply has no other place to go. Excessive water backing up and overflowing can cause damage to your roof, asphalt shingles, ice shield. Water may even lead to damage of your fascia and even leak into your door frames, windows and basement.

Even the level of your home’s gutters, which should decline towards the downspouts to insure proper drainage, may change over time. This may cause pooling in the gutters or even on the roof which may lead to water finding its way into cavities. Again over time this may lead to roof leaks in to your home or attic space. Continue reading →

What Is The Best Way To Locate A House Roof Leak?

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One sure sign of a roof leak is an ugly dark water stain on your ceiling. However, at the stage of discovering the ceiling stain you merely have the effect; now you must find the cause. Most likely it is not directly above the leak, especially on a typical sloped or even high sloped common asphalt shingled roof line in the greater Chicago Illinois or suburban area. The real problem is how do you find where that actual leak is coming from​?

Roof Leak

Roof Leak

The first step is to go into the attic space above the stained area and try to track down the suspected area of the leak. You must trace from the stained ceiling area in the attic above to where the water actually enters your house. So first carefully measure where the stain is located in the room in relation to the outside walls.

Go up in the attic space and try to locate the attic area immediately above the area in the room with the ceiling stain using the measurements from the room below. Carefully inspect the attic area’s roof decking and rafters immediately surrounding the area of the leak damaged ceiling for stains on the wood (see photo courtesy of Home First Inspection) or a water trail which would indicate where the leak originated from. At times the source of the roof leak is hard to find since it may be located higher up on the roof tan the stain. Continue reading →

Damaged Chimneys On Roofs Often Cause Water Leaks

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ZEO Roofing was recently called out to inspect this roof’s chimney in a home in Spring Grove, IL. Proper construction and maintenance provides waterproofing to make a tight shield which should normally guard your house and contents from water damage from leaks. Over time neglect often leads to the opposite.

Roof Chimney Bricks Spalling and Cracking - Spring Grove, IL

Roof Chimney Bricks Spalling and Cracking – Spring Grove, IL

As discussed prior, in the greater Chicago area we have constant weather changes in our four season climate which complicate the matter. The changing temperatures, freeze then thaw conditions, coupled with dry then wet cycles from rain, snow, ice, hail and sunshine may cause deterioration in several areas of the chimney on your home’s roof.

These pictures show the amount of damage caused by the changing weather over time. The picture to the left shows the brick faces cracking off, or spalling from, the house’s rooftop brick chimney.  The brick faces have also fallen off and are still shown spread around the chimney on the roof of the home. The damaged bricks need to be replaced or repaired as well as tuck pointing fixed with either grout or a cement skim coat, depending on the extent of the damage. Also shown here is an indication of a poor installation since both of the flues lack caps which mean water can enter without a proper shield. Continue reading →

Should I Repair, Replace My Asphalt Shingle Roof?

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Mike McClintock, Special to Tribune Newspapers writes: “After months of ice, snow and freezing temps, the best repair for an aging roof is summer. Blistering sun turns shingles almost gooey and reheats the dashes of tar that seal one layer to another. Even brittle tabs that started to buckle in the cold may flatten out. But how many more winters can an aging roof withstand?”

Asphalt-based roof shingles can take the abuse of weather and seasonal change for about 20 to 50 years. This is due to many factors, including the design of and the shingle itself. Standard roofing language for weight is how much the material weighs over 100 square feet, called a square. Generally single-layer asphalt roof shingles weigh about 200 pounds per square.

Hail Damage

Hail Damage to asphalt roof shingles.
Photo courtesy of Angie’s List

When deciding about re-roofing, consider the actual condition of the roof. Even from the ground you can spot several indicators before consulting a contractor. This can help you sort out the realistic estimates from the scams.

In his article McClintock talks about looking for the four basic stages of roof shingle wear, even from the ground.  These include: Continue reading →

Skylights Are A Common Source Of Home Roof Leaks

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ZEO Roofing was called in to repair a leak from a skylight in Glencoe, IL. Upon inspection, we determined the seals on the skylight glass were damaged and caused the leak. Condensation formed around the broken seals and eventually water began leaking in to the home’s attic and then into the interior walls. Eventually there was extensive damage to both drywall and insulation from the roof leak.

Drywall Damage from Leaking Skylight by ZEO Roofing

Drywall Damage from Leaking Skylight

Repairs included replacement of the entire skylight. To do the job correctly, we removed surrounding roof shingles so we could properly install the new skylight and flashing as well as replace the shingles. It is most common to remove shingles within 12 to 18 inches of the entire perimeter of the skylight. All roofing paper and any debris is also remove prior to installing the new skylight, roof (tar) paper, flashing, shingles and caulk.

Once the cause of the roof leak was removed, we could move on and repair the interior drywall damage. The picture to the left shows the extent of damaged drywall and insulation in the skylight shaft resulting from the roof leak. All of the water-logged insulation and drywall needed to be removed and replaced. We installed new insulation and drywall, taped and added mud. Then we sanded, primed and painted the drywall. Continue reading →

Water In Your Attic May Be A Leak From the Storm Collar

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Roof Storm Collar Caulking 02 in Antioch, IL by ZEO Roofing

Roof Storm Collar Caulking 02 in Antioch, IL by ZEO Roofing

A homeowner in Antioch, IL recently was having problems with water leaking into his attic. He had previously called another roofing company to look at the problem, but that company could not find anything wrong.  To complicate matters, the leak was only happening during big storms or storms lasting for a long time.

ZEO Roofing was called, inspected the roof for leak sources and discovered the problem was not enough caulking between the chimney (or stove) pipe and the storm collar.  Pictured above is where new caulking by ZEO Roofing was need to repair the damages and help prevent future leaks. Continue reading →

Leaky Roof Pipe Repairs That You Can Do Yourself

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David from Do It Yourself Home Roof Repair, who has about 20 years experience in roof repairs, talks about repairs that homeowners might want to do on their own homes.

The most common, and one of the easiest repairs to make, are roof leaks around the rubber seal (boot or gasket) called pipe jackets protecting plastic plumbing pipes. If you have access to the attic you might want to go into the attic during a rainstorm and feel around for wetness. During the day you might want to check on the roof for cracks in the rubber seal around the pipe where it exits the roof. A simple visual check on top of the roof will reveal if the gaskets are in need of repair.

Seven years or so after a roof is installed the seal around the pipes will begin to show signs of deterioration. This will allow water to penetrate the seal and possibly leak water into the attic. A new rubber gasket is usually all that is needed to solve the problem but many roofers replace much more than what is required. Continue reading →

Lightening Damaged Chimney In Lake In The Hills

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Lightening Damage to Lake In The Hills Chimney

Lightening Damage to Lake In The Hills (IL) Chimney

ZEO Roofing did some repair work on this lightening strike to a Lake In The Hills (Illinois) home last year.  The lightening struck the house’s chimney and caused additional damage to surrounding roof elements.  ZEO Roofing had to build the chimney bricks back up as well as replace flashing, shingles and gutters.  While on the roof we also found the rubber pipe jackets that protect the PVC pipes were worn so we replaced as well.

Damage Shown To Roof Gutters From Lightening Strike

Damage Shown To Roof Gutters From Lightening Strike

According to an article by Dr. Ronald B. Standler entitled “Consulting on Lightning Damage or Injury” found at http://www.rbs2.com/blitz.htm.  “There can be damage as a result of a direct lightning strike. Such damage includes damage to roofing materials, structures such as chimneys, heating or air conditioning units located on the roof or exterior of a building, or fires caused by lightning igniting combustible material, such as wood-frame buildings or flammable liquids or vapors.” Continue reading →