How To Inspect Your Roof For Leaks

Be patient in the process and you will be able to find most leaks.

How to inspect your roof for leaks.

Often water runs to openings in the vapor barrier such as at ceiling light fixtures. Cleaning and inspecting a roof video how to find roof leaks video repairing an asphalt shingle roof video video transcript danny lipford. Perform an indoor inspection. Finding a roof leak like a pro is a process and takes time.

Sometimes the water shows up at a ceiling spot distant from the leak. Be sure to start small. 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. Look for damp spots on the underside of your roof.

Isolate areas when you run the hose. 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. Most noticeable to the eye are leaks caused by an object for example an errant nail that s managed. If you don t want to wait for rain to look for the leak try bringing the garden hose up on the roof.

Also look for a thin stream of water flowing down one of the rafters. Moisture marks brown yellow or grey stains and peeling paint on walls and or ceilings could all indicate a damaged leaking roof. For example soak the downhill side of a chimney first then each side then the top on both sides. Inspect the underside of the roof for objects that have pierced it or have been attached to it.

If you don t want to wait for rain have a friend use a garden hose on the roof. Inspecting your attic on a rainy day is one if the easiest ways to check for leaks. Review the active leak and note the surface where the leak is dripping from. Run the water over the place where you think the leak might be located.

Also take a peek in your attic where damp rafters or leaks could additionally point to roof damage. Looking for roof leaks on the outside of your house. 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. 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. If a leak is difficult to find enlist a helper and go up on the roof with a garden hose. Some roof leaks are tough to locate.