You discover the puddle of water in the corner of your living room and are searching high and low while going crazy trying to figure out the source. You see the ceiling stains and you realize the drip, drip, drip could be coming from anywhere on the roof. Solving your problem is going to involve searching for the leak’s origin, which could be tricky. So, where do you start? Where could that living room leak have originated?
Roof Issue Causes
Those leaks could be caused by a number of roof issues, such as opens spaces that can be found around venting and chimneys, or actual holes in roofing materials. Damaged or missing shingles can also be the culprits with leaks.
Any leaks could make their way through rafters and roof sheathing or decking, which is the layer of roof that is the base for any other coverings that are nailed to it. It covers the rafters and is found beneath the shingles or other coverings and membrane layers.
Solving the Leak Crisis
There are a few steps to take that could help you solve any leak crisis and stop those pesky drips from taking control of your life. It may take some investigating, but it is worth the effort. So, initiate your search with the following:
The Attic
Find a good flashlight or other lighting device that is easily handled or can be placed around your head or neck, and make your way to the attic. Watch your step, especially if there are is no flooring and you have to step from the joists to explore areas of the attic for leaks. You don’t want to step through to the ceiling below and hurt yourself or the ceiling.
Using the flashlight, look at the roof’s underside and determine if any section or area of it is darker than the roof’s sheathing. If there has been insufficient moisture over time, it might be difficult to discover any wet spots other than mold, as it will persist. If you do find mold, the chances are you may have encountered a “leaking” point.
If you can’t find any recent areas of moisture, wet the roof ahead of time with a hose to help discover any undetected leaks. Reexamine the rafters and decking to determine if there are any wet spots. Continue to follow along where there might be any developing wet areas from the rafters or roof sheathing on up to the highest spot.
Insulation
Insulation can conceal the under area of a roof and make it difficult to locate a leak, but if there is a leak, the insulation will likely show damage or deterioration. If there is damage, the leak may be a number of feet away from the actual spot on the insulation, so it is best to clear away any insulation that is close to the area. Once it is removed, it is easier to locate the water trail from the area of damage to wherever the water has entered through the roof. If you are working with insulation, it is important to wear protective clothing and gloves to prevent direct contact with skin.
Objects and Seals
It is possible that a roof leak can be caused by a roofing nail or other errant sharp object that can penetrate a roof Also, dried out seals around roof vents, skylights, chimneys and other roof objects can wear out over time and cause moisture to make its way through the open areas.
Wetting what is Dry
The garden hose method of detecting a leak (mentioned earlier) during periods of dry weather is best performed with two people, as someone is going to have to get on the roof to wet it down while the other person maintains a station in the attic and figures out where the water is coming in and causing a leak or leaks. This method can be set up as true rainstorm scenario, but it has to be done section by section with the hose, which entails considerable time and safety precautions, yet it can be the best way to cover the whole roof area and locate vulnerable spots for leaks.
Leaks are Possible
Most homeowners realize that leaks are pretty much a given at any time in the life of a roof, but once they are found they can usually be repaired fairly quickly, particularly if it is something like a missing shingle or a hole that can be patched without a lot of effort.
If you need help in finding a roof leak or need repair of a leaky roof, complete the online form and a expert in leak discovery and repair will get back to you as soon as possible with the advice you need to locate that pesky leak and rid yourself of the problem once and for all.
