How To Find Out If Your Roof Is Leaking

Water will reflect light so bring a flashlight along.

How to find out if your roof is leaking. When you find the spot where the water is entering through the roof poke a metal wire through the hole so it will be visible from the exterior surface of the roof. Well it really works. Other sources of potential leaks in the home include plumbing roof scuppers roof drains hvac and condensation. On a nice day have a helper tap on the mark while you re on the roof.

Failing any such obvious signs check out the roof vents. If you notice odd musty smells around your house they may indicate an undetected roof leak. Sometimes the water shows up at a ceiling spot distant from the leak. Some roof leaks are tough to locate.

Also look for a thin stream of water flowing down one of the rafters. Likewise you ll want to check out any water stains spots or bulging areas on your interior walls and ceilings. If your ceiling has a plastic vapor barrier between the drywall and the attic insulation push the insulation aside and look for flow stains on the plastic. If you have an attic the easiest way to spot the leak is to up there on a rainy day.

So let s look at the ten of the most common culprits in causing your roof to leak and what you can and should do about them other than recruiting a bucket brigade. Begin by locating the leak on the inside of the home. Finding a roof leak like a pro is a process and takes time. If you notice some of your shingles are missing or warped it s a pretty good bet that you have a roof leak.

On top of that a stain on the wall could be caused by a missing shingle. Once you locate the source of the water mark the area. Confirm that the source of the water on the inside of the home is a result of a roof leak and not due to a problem associated with other components of the home. Roof leaks can ruin insulation become a breeding ground for black mold damage interior ceilings and walls and rot the wooden framing.

If your roof is leaking right now go into the attic with a flashlight and some chalk to mark with while it s raining. Be patient in the process and you will be able to find most leaks. Look for damp spots on the underside of your roof. Therefore for you to find the leak in the ceiling as soon as possible then you need to start thinking like water.

It s not always that the stain is an indication of a leak in the roof. Most noticeable to the eye are leaks caused by an object for example an errant nail that s managed to pierce the roof.