How To Check For Water Leaks From The Roof

Water will reflect light so bring a flashlight along.

How to check for water leaks from the roof.

Let the water run for 10 minutes to rule out each component from the bottom up. Once you locate the source of the water mark the area. If there signs of water damage or dripping water coming from the ceiling that is directly below an attic space or directly below the roof surface itself there is almost no question that the true cause is a hole or other type of damage in the shingles or other roofing material that make up the roof system. First have your roofer do a visual inspection for obvious areas where water could enter your home.

Water runs downhill so carefully observe all areas below suspected leak s. Most noticeable to the eye are leaks caused by an object for example an errant nail that s managed to pierce the roof. Have one person look in the attic and one person in the home. Examine the entire attic roof underside surface for evidence of water intrusion.

Failing any such obvious signs check out the roof vents. Cut into your drywall to find the source of a leak. Then using a drywall saw cut along the line you just scored. Also look for a thin stream of water flowing down one of the rafters.

For example soak the downhill side of a chimney first then each side then the top on both sides. If a leak is difficult to find enlist a helper and go up on the roof with a garden hose. Have the roofer start introducing water at the lowest parts of the roof and work up. Use a utility knife to score a line about 10 inches 25 cm long into your drywall at the location where you see visible signs of a water leak mold discolored drywall etc.

Identifying roofing system leaks. You may see stained or discolored wood areas that will lead you to the source of the leak. To determine if the water leak is in the house or outdoors only for homes with meters located at the street turn off the shut off valve on your home s main water supply pipe. The farther you move away from where the leak is showing on the interior the more time you will have to give each component to test for leaking due to the fact that if that component is leaking the water now has to run farther before it shows on the interior.

Start low soaking the area just above where the leak appears in the house. On a nice day have a helper tap on the mark while you re on the roof. Then do a simple water test. Look for damp spots on the underside of your roof.

If your roof is leaking right now go into the attic with a flashlight and some chalk to mark with while it s raining. Identifying the true location of roof leaks in the attic. Have a roofer go on the roof with a running garden hose.