How to Find Roof Leaks?

1. How to Find Roof Leaks? True story. A homeowner’s closet flooded. Initially, the owner thought it was coming from the weep hole in the flowerbed. But why would it start causing problems now after living in the house for 20 years? Nonetheless, the owners cleared the flowerbed around the weep hole and partially covered it. After that, it didn’t rain for days. But the damage to the closet was done. They couldn’t repair the damage until they could confirm the leak was fixed. Then, Texas weather being what it is, it rained cats and dogs for a week. And the closet was wet again. The homeowners had no idea who to call. They didn’t think it was aroofing problem because the water was all on the ground and not coming down the walls. And besides, they replaced the roof not long before this happened. Finally, they found a professional. He examined the inside and outside. It turned out the leak came from the flashing. You can have a newish roof and still run into roof leaks like this one. Here are the common sources of roof leaks: • • • • • • • • • Damaged flashings, seals, gaskets, or caulking Exposed nail heads Missing, cracked, or loose shingles, tiles, or seams Poor attic ventilation Improperly sealed valleys Ice dams Ponding water Debris Blocked gutters and downspouts How to Find Roof Leaks If you have an attic, you can check for leaks on a rainy day. All you need is a flashlight. Enter the attic and look around with the flashlight. Water reflects light, so it should catch your eye. Mark the spot where you find the leak. Wait for the weather to clear. One person goes into the attic and taps the spot where you marked the leak. The other person goes on the roof to listen for the tap. This will help identify the location that needs repair. Alternatively, you can check for leaks without waiting for it to rain. Use a garden hose on the roof to run water where the leak may be. A helper stationed in the attic with a flashlight uses it to find the leak. Temporary Fixes for Roof Leaks You have two options to do a temporary quick-fix on the roof leak. One is to cover it with a piece of galvanized sheet metal flashing. You can typically find this at a home improvement or hardware store. When you have the sheet metal, lift the shingle where you found the leak and insert the sheet underneath. Another way to cover your leaky roof is with heavy 6-mil polyethylene sheeting and 2 by 4s. Whether your roof is old or new, wear and tear happen especially with Texas’ weather. The sooner you findroof leaks and address them, the minimal damage you’ll have.