How To Find A Leak In A Rubber Roof

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.

How to find a leak in a rubber roof.

Begin soaking low on the roof just above where the leak is visible inside the house. Start low soaking the area just above where the leak appears in the house. Locate the source of the leak on the roof then use a utility knife to slice through the rubber roof around the suspected trouble spot. By gary hedstrom peg hedstrom judy ondrla tremore.

Most noticeable to the eye are leaks caused by an object for example an errant nail that s managed. See membrane single ply roofs. You want to look for trouble spots that generally are the primary source of leaks. For example soak the downhill side of a chimney first then each side then the top on both sides.

Pull off the old rubber roofing from the cut area. We illustrate how choice of the wrong roof edge. I always start at flashings. Start with a dry roof if you have a flat roof that leaks get up on it when it is dry and cool.

Also sometimes there are holes in the roof that you will need to find. Inspect the underside of the roof for objects that have pierced it or have been attached to it. If the leak isn t obvious have a helper watch in the attic while you get on the roof with a garden hose. Finding the actual spot where the roof leaks is difficult because water can enter the roof in one place and run down to another before it starts soaking into the ceiling.

If a leak is difficult to find enlist a helper and go up on the roof with a garden hose. Go inside and have a look to see whether water is tricking inside at the spot you suspect. This article describes an epdm roof installation study roof repair history spanning fourteen years from original rubber roof installation and the mistakes shortcuts that led to leaks and trouble to an extensive tear off and re roof repair that was made along the entire problem roof s lower edge. How to make sure where your leak is coming from to check for sure you can use these tips.

Isolate areas when you run the hose. Unscrew and remove the large metal washers holding down the fiberboard substrate. Take a hose safely up onto your roof and spray the suspected area. Most leaks occur in certain spots low water pooling areas loose seams on corners of chimneys skylights.

Leaky epdm rubber roof repair details.