How To Inspect Your Roof For Leaks

The key to finding a leak is l.

How to inspect your roof for leaks.

Looking for roof leaks on the outside of your house. Be patient in the process and you will be able to find most leaks. 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 don t want to wait for rain have a friend use a garden hose on the roof.

Unless of course you ve got a pesky roof leak that you just can t find. Run the water over the place where you think the leak might be located. Moisture marks brown yellow or grey stains and peeling paint on walls and or ceilings could all indicate a damaged leaking roof. Go into your attic and locate the source of the leak on the underside of the roof deck using the measurements taken from your home s living space.

Also take a peek in your attic where damp rafters or leaks could additionally point to roof damage. Start low soaking the area just above where the leak appears in the house. Don t go crazy with the water. On a day like this when the spring showers are moving in you can feel pretty good about having a roof over your head.

Be sure to start small. Sometimes the water shows up at a ceiling spot distant from the leak. Most noticeable to the eye are leaks caused by an object for example an errant nail that s managed. Finding a roof leak like a pro is a process and takes time.

Perform an indoor inspection. Review the active leak and note the surface where the leak is dripping from. Often water runs to openings in the vapor barrier such as at ceiling light fixtures. Be sure to bring a flashlight so that you can inspect each area of your roof until you identify where the water is entering your home.

Inspect the underside of the roof for objects that have pierced it or have been attached to it. Also look for a thin stream of water flowing down one of the rafters. If your roof is leaking right now go into the attic with a flashlight and some chalk to mark with while it s raining. If a leak is difficult to find enlist a helper and go up on the roof with a garden hose.

Isolate areas when you run the hose. Inspecting your attic on a rainy day is one if the easiest ways to check for leaks. Some roof leaks are tough to locate. Look for damp spots on the underside of your roof.