How To Find Roof Water Leaks

In most cases you find out about a roof leak by seeing a water stain on your ceiling.

How to find roof water leaks. Start in the attic. We ll cover some of the most common causes for roof leaks below. Edges of the roof are usually several inches away from the siding and walls so only roof leaks are the likely cause for water stains on the upper half of your sidings. Water testing for roof leaks if you can t find the cause of a leak from the attic or by visual inspection on the roof surface wait for dry weather and ask a friend to help you do a water test.

Look for discoloration on wood sheathing or rafters caused by water. Start low soaking the area just above where the leak appears in the house. If you re really lucky you can locate the problem right away but that s rarely the case. Water will reflect light so bring a flashlight along.

Find a roof leak when it s not raining. For example soak the downhill side of a chimney first then each side then the top on both sides. To do this one person goes onto the roof with a garden hose. Isolate areas when you run the hose.

Inspect the underside of the roof for objects that have pierced it or have been attached to it. Inspect the walls outside of your home for any watermarks. If a leak is difficult to find enlist a helper and go up on the roof with a garden hose. The other person goes inside the attic with a bucket and a strong light.

After the rain has stopped and it s sunny outside examine the exterior of your roof to look for problem areas that may be causing the leak. Identifying the true location of roof leaks in the attic. On a nice day have a helper tap on the mark while you re on the roof. Most noticeable to the eye are leaks caused by an object for example an errant nail that s managed.

The presence of rust on the flashing and gaps on your siding are also good indicators of roof leaks.