What to Do If You Find a Leak in Your Roof
Once you've identified what appears to be the source of your roof leak, it is essential that you notify your roofing company so they can arrive prepared when visiting site. This will enable them to provide accurate quotes. Removing and disposing of affected insulation as soon as possible is also recommended, since its moisture-retaining qualities could lead to mold growth and damage for framing and sheathing structures. 1. Take a Look Inside If you have access to your attic, it may be beneficial to climb up there with a flashlight and look for signs of leaks using a flashlight. Water may have traveled lateraly along rafters and wall joints before exiting through your ceiling and having one can help locate evidence of its travels. Look out for water stains on the ceiling, as well as sagging or swollen drywall and musty smell. Additionally, check for leaks near plumbing fixtures, roof vents, chimneys, dormers or any other construction that projects through the roof - these often develop when rubber seals wear out and allow rainwater in. Also look out for areas where shingles have been pulled up or displaced which could also lead to leakage - check these spots with a garden hose to see what might happen! If unable to gain entry then spray your roof from outside as this will suffice as an effective measure for detection of potential issues on site. 2. Puncture the Bulge When a ceiling drywall begins to bulge it's often an indication of serious water damage underneath. Accumulated water forms a pool which collects until it breaches and eventually breaks through to cause collapsed ceilings. To stop this happening again use a screwdriver and puncture a hole near its lowest point - puncturing may seem counterintuitive but puncturing helps release pressure off other parts of your ceiling while relieving any back up of water that builds up behind it. If you have access to your attic, investigate it to locate the source of a leak. This might involve sniffing around for musty scents or inspecting damp framing; water stain marks will usually lead you back to where a leak enters your roof. 3. Remove the Insulation Seeing water stains or musty odors on your ceiling could indicate damage to insulation and drywall as well as an active leak which needs to be addressed quickly before further damage and mold development occur. Finding the source of a roof leak requires taking a close look in your attic and searching for dampness, mold or rot on framing members, roof sheathing, insulation or ceiling drywall. Make sure you have access to this space first before entering an attic to avoid falling through its ceiling! Running water can also help pinpoint the location of roof leaks. With someone helping from inside, spray water over any section of ceiling where you suspect an issue might exist and wait. 4. Check the Flashing As roof leaks can often go undetected for an extended period, extensive damage may already have taken place. If you discover black mold growth or signs of severe water damage such as sagging drywall or black staining on walls it would be prudent to contact a professional to evaluate and address repairs as required. If the damage is limited, it should be easy to locate the source of a leak from outside your home. Use a flashlight during daylight hours to scan around suspected areas above suspected leaks with dampness on roof framing or rafters or dark spots on exterior walls that suggest step flashing is at fault - the junction where house meets wall. 5. Contact a Roofer When water pools in your attic or a bulge appears in your ceiling it's essential that any damage is minimised as quickly as possible. Use a bucket to collect any standing water - and don't forget to empty it outside! Draining off this liquid could contain insulation materials which could increase home damage - by draining away this fluid it could reduce overall costs for repairs and lessen overall damage done to your property. Dark spots on your walls could be an indicator that there's a leak in the roof, particularly if they appear near step flashing (where roof meets wall). Any items likely to get wet from ceiling collapse or staining - including personal belongings and rugs! - should also be moved immediately as this could get wet from an eventual ceiling collapse or staining incident.
Appreciation Spotlight
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