Why Roofs Leak in Summer Heat and Rain

The roof is the part of your home most exposed to the sun. In places with little rain, like Al-Ahsa, its faults can stay hidden until the first rain. In this article we explain the causes, and what you can check yourself.

What does heat do to a roof?

• The roof expands in the day and contracts at night. This repeated movement causes fine cracks over time.
• Ultraviolet rays weaken old insulation materials and make them brittle.
• Dust and sand build up and block the drains.

What does rain do?

When it rains, water looks for any crack or weak joint, then seeps into the ceiling.

The stain may not appear the same day, but days later, because the water travels through the ceiling before it reaches the paint.

If the drains are blocked, water collects on the roof and puts more pressure on the weak spots.

A summer leak with no rain?

Rain is not the only cause. Water may come from a rooftop tank, from air conditioner drainage, or from washing the roof.

So do not assume the stain came from rain. Find the source first.

The most common leak points

• The joints between the roof and the walls.
• Around air conditioners and pipes that come out of the roof.
• Parapet edges and corners.
• The base of rooftop tanks.
• Places where water collects.

These spots move more than the rest as the roof expands and contracts, so they crack first.

Does the age of the roof matter?

Insulation materials have a limited life. Once they age and crack, they stop protecting the roof, even if it looks fine from a distance. Check it after every heavy rain or dust storm.

Signs you can see inside the house

• Yellow or brown stains on the ceiling.
• Paint peeling near the ceiling.
• A damp smell on the top floor.
• Drops of water after rain.

Check your roof before the rainy season

1. Clear dust and sand from the drains.
2. Look for cracks, or layers that are peeling or bubbling.
3. Check the joints around air conditioners and pipes.
4. Notice any place where water stays after washing.
5. Look at the top floor ceiling for damp stains.
6. Photograph what you find so you can compare later.

And do not climb onto the roof during rain or while it is wet.

Do not just paint over the stain

Paint hides the stain but does not treat its cause. The mark will return with the first rain.

And if you repaint over damp that is still there, the paint will peel again.

Treat the source first: find the leak, then repair and insulate the roof.

At Al Raya we find the source of the leak without breaking anything, then insulate the roof against water and heat. Call us and we will check your roof.