No homeowner wants to see a dreadful black spot on their ceiling, or worse- water dripping down the interior of their home. We understand how disappointing and concerning roof leaks are.
You must get them fixed quickly. Otherwise, it can become a nightmare if water starts leaking through your roof. Finding the leak itself can be a long and tedious process, and only a trained roofing professional will be able to correctly identify all damaged areas of your roof.
So if you are wondering how to find a roof leak, we’ve covered everything in this blog.
After you finish reading, you’ll understand why your roof is leaking, learn about the leak-prone areas of your roof, and determine how to find a roof leak.
Why Is Your Roof Leaking?
Roof leaks are common everywhere. Usually, leaks happen due to moisture damage when you don’t pay much attention to your roof, attic, and ventilation systems. Other times, faulty installation, wind, and hail storms attack your shingles and can block your gutters.
Additionally, if you use cheap materials on your roof or, or it is not installed correctly, you’ll see leaks more often.
Start With The Leak-Prone Areas
When you are trying to find a roof leak, the first thing is to inspect the leak-prone areas of your roof. Technically, water reaches your rooms and walls only when the outermost layer is compromised. This can include:
- Chimneys
- Skylights
- Flashing
- Dormers
- Vents
- Gutters
- Valleys
All of these areas are prone to leaking. If one of your rooms has a stain or water leak, roofing contractors will start by examining the area above the damage. If we suspect anything in one of these parts, it might be the reason for the leak. In that case, we can begin with the repairs right away.
Study The Shingles
Do you have any shingles that need to be replaced or repaired? If yes, then a professional roofing contractor will quickly identify the problem areas because these shingles are weaker. They can break and crack during extreme weather conditions, or if your attic isn’t ventilated properly. Water can easily seep through weak shingles, and reach your attic, rooms, sidewalls, and ceiling.
Search Through The Attic
A roofing contractor will inspect the ceiling, corners, and insulation in your attic. We will look for signs of moisture damage like stains, mold, algae, and discolored areas. If we suspect anything, we’ll note down the location and measure the size of these points. Specialists will then examine this particular area from the roof to determine the extent of the damage.
Inspect The Siding And Gutters
When you research how to find a roof leak, many writeups may not include this point. It is essential to check the siding and gutters as well! Water can easily damage wood siding, and even slip behind waterproof vinyl siding. If you have wooden siding, we’ll look for signs of moisture damage like swollen boards, mold, dark spots, or cracks. After that, we’ll examine the gutters for blockage, rust, and sagging.
If we find all the leaking points after examining the above areas, then it’s a huge win. However, leaking points are usually very small. You can’t risk missing out on the tiny cracks and holes. To find the smallest roof leaks, roofing professionals use the water testing method.
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Locating The Leak With Water Testing Method
If you want to know how to find a roof leak in the most effective and technical way, most roofing companies use the water testing method. Some of the specialists will be there inside your rooms and attic, while others climb up the roof to conduct the water test.
- Using specific tools and equipment, we first inspect the roof for any loose wires, damage, and irregularities. This ensures none of your electricals are affected, and also gives a clear picture of where the leak might be.
- If we find something, we’ll flood that particular area with water. If multiple areas come under suspicion, we will flood the whole roof.
- After some time, water may leak into the attic, or any of the rooms in your house. Our indoor team will quickly tell us where the leaks are, and measure their length. We’ll inspect the whole area and mark the sources of the leak.
- For tiny leaks, we have to remove a few shingles and some flashing; work around the underlayment, gutters, and siding.
The whole process is risky, complicated, and time-consuming. When you read about how to find a roof leak, authentic articles will always mention safety tips. We never recommend homeowners work on their roofs without proper gear, professional tools, and safety equipment.
We always recommend calling a reliable roofing company as soon as you suspect a leak. A professional roofing contractor will stop the root cause of leaks, and ensure that your roof is repaired as quickly as possible.
We Can Help You With Roof Leaks
If you need a roof inspection, repairs, or replacement in Claremore, OK., or the nearby areas, you can count on Capital Roofing. Hundreds of homeowners have trusted our honest and professional team of roofing contractors.
In case of emergencies, we are available 24/7 to fix your roof. Our specialists will get to you as quickly as possible in the event or a roofing emergency, and we will also help you with your insurance claim.
As proud partners of GAF and Owens Corning, Capital Roofing repairs your roof with world-class materials. Besides offering the best roofing services, we also offer services for your siding, gutters, windows, and skylights.
You can contact us anytime at (918) 260-4075. At Capital Roofing, we offer a free consultation, and describe how to find a roof leak without spending a lot of money on the process.
