Just like any other part of your home your roof may need some extra attention or maintenance every now and then. One of the biggest enemies to a roofing system is the dreaded roof leak. Often, knowing what you’re up against is half the battle so how do you identify a roof leak? We have some advice on finding and identifying leaks so you can get them repaired properly.
How to Identify a Roof Leak
Sometimes a leak may not be apparent but your home may giving off symptoms. Symptoms of a roof leak can be varied but here are some of the more common signs without physically seeing the leak:
- Water Stains: Obviously water stains are a sign that moisture is penetrating your home in areas where it shouldn’t be. This could be a leak from your roof or it may come from different parts of your house like windows or siding.
- Mold & Mildew: Mold, mildew and rot are another sign that there may be excess moisture in your house from a leak. Even if you don’t see mold or mildew you may be able to smell it in your attic. You may also be able to feel extra humidity in your attic.
If you’re getting these symptoms you may be ready to find the leak itself. There are a few different methods used to find leaks, remember the source of the leak may not always be exactly where the water is coming in, water may travel feet or even yards underneath the roof covering before finding its way into your home.
Turn the lights out in your attic and check for sunlight coming where it shouldn’t be, this is an obvious source of the lake. You may also slowly sweep over your roof while checking for damaged roof materials or flashing, these ay often be the source of the leak as well.
If you know where the water is coming in but can’t find the source you may have to do an old fashioned water hose test. This involves one person in the attic near the leak and one person on the roof looking for the source. Carefully pour water in localized sections of the roof until the leak becomes active. This can help you identify the specific area where the leak is being generated.
If you are still having trouble call your local roofing contractor to help you identify and fix the leak.
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