How To Find A Leak In A Flat Metal Roof

Gaps as small as 1 8 inch can be a source of leaks during hard rains.

How to find a leak in a flat metal roof.

A common cause of leaks on flat roofs is often flashing. Flat roof leak roofs can be a devil to locate. The reason is that water can enter one spot and not really express itself inside until it is far away from the leak. Firstly if you re seeing damp spots or leaks happening on your ceilings that s a sign that the roof has started to leak.

Roofers use a combination of visual inspection and moisture meters to scan membrane coated roofs to find the wet areas below the membrane and thus the probable leak point usually at a seam mechanical damage a roof penetration or at a roof drain. Have a helper stationed in the attic with a flashlight looking for moisture. Thin pieces of material sometimes metal that have been installed to weatherproof the roof and stop water entering at angles or joint. Run the water over the place where you think the leak might be located.

If you don t want to wait for rain to look for the leak try bringing the garden hose up on the roof. Be sure to start small. Don t go crazy with the water. If you still cannot find the leak systematically wet down the roof.

Run water from a garden hose along any potential trouble spots. See membrane single ply roofs. This flashing is normally installed around pipes and at roof edges but it isn t always that durable. Apply uniform layer of metal.

Issues around chimneys and plumbing stacks are common. Wait inside for several minutes for the water to begin to drip. The same thing can happen on sloped roofs however you can usually discount all the roof area below the area where you see the leak. How to find a leak in a metal roof.