Roof Leak Barriers - What Are They & Why You Should Have Them

The development of water leaks along house seams is easily remedied with the installation of a leak barrier. If homeowners do nothing to prevent water leaks, water damage can cause numerous problems on the interior of the home.

The Problems Caused by Water Damage

Water damage is a difficult problem to correct once it has already been seen in the home. It can result in not only aesthetic issues like moisture stains on walls and ceilings but also more severe problems like mold and mildew infestations. Water damage is especially likely to develop when leak barriers are not used in homes located in cold environments where temperatures frequently fall below freezing during the coldest months of the year. These homes are likely to develop ice dams in gutters and along eves. These ice dams put a lot of pressure on a roof's moisture barriers when they melt.

What is a Leak Barrier?

A leak barrier is a fiberglass-reinforced device that is placed at several places on a building's roof. Leak barriers are placed not only along the eaves, but also in the valley, at rakes, and around chimneys. These are the areas of a roof that are most susceptible to leak development. This type of moisture protection device can be used on a roof constructed of either shingle or metal. The following are a few of the most important reasons why a home should have leak barriers installed to keep out moisture:

• Building codes- Some homeowners absolutely must have leak barriers put on their home to stay up to code. Building codes enforce the use of leak barriers in geographic areas where average temperatures in January are at 25 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
• Saving money- Leak barriers typically save homeowners money in the long run by preventing the need for costly water damage repairs.
• Offering homeowners peace of mind- Severe winter weather can be a source of enormous stress for homeowners. If you live in the North and your winters are cold, you know what a significant threat ice dam development poses to your home. With a leak barrier, you can rest assured that you won't have any leaks that cause water damage no matter how tough this winter gets.
• Providing a moisture seal around nails and other types of fastener- Leak barriers aren't just helpful when it comes to preventing moisture penetration caused by ice dams. They also prevent penetrations in roofing materials caused by nails and other types of fasteners to allow moisture to penetrate your roof.

The StormGuard Film-Surfaced Leak Barrier

There are quite a few different types of leak barrier out on the market. If you're looking for the best option for your home, consider the StormGuard film-surfaced leak barrier. This leak barrier offers fiberglass reinforcement that prevents the barrier from bunching up and wrinkling beneath shingles. It also adheres to roofing materials thanks to an adhesive that will allow for adjustments during initial installation but aggressively adheres afterward so that there is no fear that its grip will wear off over time. Another huge advantage of the StormGuard film-surfaced leak barrier is that it is designed to work well on both shingle and metal roofs. This makes it a highly versatile leak barrier solution for many different roof designs.