Maybe you saw a puddle on the floor after a rainstorm or you notice discoloring on your ceiling. It all comes down to a mystery leak that you need to find before it causes serious damage to your property. You may think the leak is where the water is dripping from your ceiling, but it can be far away.
If you want to know how to find a roof leak, we’ve come up with a handy guide that gives you’re the tips and tricks you need to find the source of the problem. You need to find it quick because it’s only going to get worse.
It’s Not in the Obvious Spot
When water makes its way past your roof and in your home, it doesn’t go directly to that moldy or discolored spot on the ceiling. I can travel down wood beams and through insulation to come out far away from the source of the leak.
Once you’ve found the leak, you’ll need to make repairs quickly because that spot will continue to leak until it gets fixed. The first step to fixing a leaking roof is finding the origin of the leak and that requires a little detective work.
How to Find a Roof Leak: Head to the Attic
If you have a leaking roof, then you need to go to the attic and see the underside of the roof firsthand. Be careful as most attics are unfinished and there isn’t a proper floor. Use the joists to move from one spot to another.
Use a flashlight and check out all areas of the roof. You’ll want to check for areas that are darker than the rest, which means they’ve been exposed to water. If you see mold, then you’ve hit jackpot and that’s likely the area on the roof causing the leak.
Insulation can obscure your view, so you’ll have to examine the insulation for areas of wetness as well. Insulation deteriorates faster than wood, so if you find a damaged area, that’s a good place to start looking.
Just because that area is damaged, that doesn’t mean it’s the source of the leak. You’ll need to remove some of the insulation and follow the damage to its origin point
Finding the Leak During Dry Weather
If it’s been a few days since it rained and you’re just now getting around to finding the leak, then much of the water could have dried up. You don’t have to wait until the next rainstorm though.
If you have a general idea where the leak is, then grab a hose and spray your roof with water in that area. It will leak into the house and you’ll be able to find the origin.
Find the Leak and Fix the Roof
You now know how to find a roof leak and the next step is roof leak repair. Finding the leak is only half the battle, now you must fix it before it can get any worse. Don’t ignore a leak or it could lead to roof damage and ceiling damage, which is costly to fix.
If you want to know more about how to fix a leaking roof or finding a roofer, then explore our site.