IS YOUR ROOF LEAKING?

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Identifying a roof leak can be difficult.  Below are a few signs that something might be wrong.  Knowing you have a roof leak is usually obvious when you see the water spot on your ceiling.  However, it can be much harder to pinpoint the cause of the leak.  A roof leaf can work its way down from the top of your roof down to your home’s foundation.  Water leaks can cause significant damage to your roof and other areas of your home, leading to structural damage such as rot and decay.

The first place water will travel if there is a leak is into your attic and ceilings.  Attics often contain important home systems, such as heating or air conditioning equipment, and exposure to water or moisture could lead to system failure or the makings of a fire hazard.  Water can also make its way into your home’s insulation and drywall, causing mold and mildew growth, and can weaken rafters and ceiling joists.  Even worse, it could damage your flooring, wall framing, paint and plaster on walls, furniture, and personal belongings.

POTENTIAL SIGNS OF A ROOF LEAK

Not every roof leak is immediately noticeable, but there are telltale signs to watch out for.  Check your attic first for signs of damage.  This is the area where roof leaks show the soonest.  Look at the flooring and the bottom of the rafters for water stains.  Walk through your home and look for water stains on the ceilings or mold growth on your home’s exterior walls.  Listen for dripping sounds coming from the attic or elsewhere in your house.

  1. Water spots on your ceiling or walls.
  2. Missing shingles.
  3. Cracked or damaged shingles.
  4. Missing or damaged flashing or boot covers to roof penetrations.
  5. Water spots or wet roof decking (seen through the attic)
  6. High humidity indoors
  7. Moist insulation or drywall
  8. Mold and mildew
  9. Peeling paint
  10. Pooling water on your roof after it rains
  11. Warped walls or ceilings

Musty Odors

First, notice any musty odors that you smell in your home.  If a room smells like must, there’s a good chance there’s water damage and early mold development. Even if you don’t notice a water stain where you smell a musty odor, the water could be behind the wall.

Water Stains on Your Ceiling

If you see a water stain on your ceiling, it’s likely your roof has a leak.  Water stains have a dark ring on the outside with discoloration on the inside.  If not treated, they will grow and could affect the integrity of your home.

Bulging Drywall

If your drywall is bulging or bubbling, there’s a good chance it’s due to water damage.  Disfiguraton in your wall could indicate a leak in your plumbing, but it could also be a roof leak.  Sometimes water from roof leaks travels beneath the wall and is invisible from the outside.

Damaged Shingles

If your shingles are damaged or warped, there’s a much higher chance that water can come in through your roof.  It’s important to routinely inspect and maintain your roof to catch these issues early.  If you don’t, they can be costly in the long term.

Spots on Your Exterior Walls

Just like on your interior walls, spots on your exterior walls are a bad sign.  They could indicate an issue with the step flashing, which is where the roof meets the wall. It could have become loose or deteriorated overtime, allowing rainwater to leak through and leave dark spots.

WHAT CAUSES A ROOF LEAK?

Once inside the attic, water can travel along rafters and other horizontal surfaces making it difficult to find the exact entry point.

MISSING FLASHING

You may assume your shingles are at fault, but it could be missing flashing around a chimney, or some other entry point, that’s allowing the water to get inside your attic.

MISSING, CRACKED, OR DAMAGED SHINGLES

If shingles are missing, cracked, or otherwise damaged, water can, over time, begin to leak into the home.  A leak can start out small and slowly cause a lot of damage if a warning sign is ignored.

ICE DAMS

Water entry can also be caused by an ice dam.  Ice dams are formed by the continual thawing of snow over the warmer portions of the roof and refreezing over the cold eave.  The ice dam can cause water to back up under shingles.

Professional Roof Leak Repair

Professional services such as inspections, preventative measures, and roof leak repair will help keep your roofing system in working order.