How To Inspect Your Roof For Leaks

Inspect the underside of the roof for objects that have pierced it or have been attached to it.

How to inspect your roof for leaks.

Sometimes the water shows up at a ceiling spot distant from the leak. Looking for roof leaks on the outside of your house. On a day like this when the spring showers are moving in you can feel pretty good about having a roof over your head. Cleaning and inspecting a roof video how to find roof leaks video repairing an asphalt shingle roof video video transcript danny lipford.

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. Also look for a thin stream of water flowing down one of the rafters. Be patient in the process and you will be able to find most leaks. 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.

The key to finding a leak is l. Moisture marks brown yellow or grey stains and peeling paint on walls and or ceilings could all indicate a damaged leaking 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. For example soak the downhill side of a chimney first then each side then the top on both sides.

Start low soaking the area just above where the leak appears in the house. Inspecting your attic on a rainy day is one if the easiest ways to check for leaks. Also take a peek in your attic where damp rafters or leaks could additionally point to roof damage. 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.

Perform an indoor inspection. Review the active leak and note the surface where the leak is dripping from. Unless of course you ve got a pesky roof leak that you just can t find. Run the water over the place where you think the leak might be located.

Look for damp spots on the underside of your roof. If you don t want to wait for rain have a friend use a garden hose on the roof. Some roof leaks are tough to locate. Be sure to start small.

If you don t want to wait for rain to look for the leak try bringing the garden hose up on the roof. Often water runs to openings in the vapor barrier such as at ceiling light fixtures. Don t go crazy with the water. If a leak is difficult to find enlist a helper and go up on the roof with a garden hose.