Spotting Roof Leaks
Even a well-built roof is susceptible to leaks, especially after a particularly harsh storm. Time is another factor; everything wears out as time passes. The process of spotting roof leaks is huge help in attempting to catch a roof leak in its early stages. This is key to preventing costly water damage in your home. Here, Southside Exteriors, your premier roofing contractor shares tips on how to spot a roof leak through visual inspection.
3 Areas To Inspect For Roof Leaks
1. Check roof penetrations.
The first part of spotting roof leaks is to inspect the roof penetrations such as chimneys, plumbing vents, and skylights are some of your roofing system’s most vulnerable areas. When their seals fail, water can easily enter your home. Start by making sure the chimney has proper step flashing and counter-flashing. Next, examine your skylights for trapped water and make sure that their flashing is also in good shape. Look for telltale signs of age and wear on your vent stacks’ neoprene and rubber, and check if they require sealing or repainting. This is also a good time to look at the condition of your shingles. Look for missing, cracked, and/or curled edges. You should also look across your roof and check if the grit on your shingles is worn off. Worn grit is a sign that you may need a new roof.
2. Examine Your Roof’s Drip Edge
The next step in spotting roof leaks is to confirm that your drip edge is still there, and that it’s keeping water away from the fascia board. If your drip edge is compromised, wind-driven rain can easily penetrate the gap between the roof deck and fascia board. By making sure that the drip edge is in good condition, you can keep your roofing free from leaks and wood rot.
3. Inspect Your Attic Space
Your visual inspection shouldn’t be limited to the outside of the roof— look inside your attic space as well. Improper ventilation, faulty plumbing, and condensation are all indications of a roof leak. Look for signs of mold, rusting around nails, and algae stains on the interior plywood. All of these mean that your attic has high levels of moisture, potentially due to roof leaks. Additionally, make sure the intake vents are free of clogging paint, cobwebs, or dust.
What Happens If Your Roof Is Leaking?
As you can no doubt imagine, there are several types of damage that a leaking roof can cause. Some of them are immediately noticeable and other take time to show up, but when they do there is a good chance that extensive damage has occurred to the structural parts of your home that have been exposed to leaking water. Your roof is the barrier that is supposed to keep the elements out of your attic and everything under it. If you haven’t inspected your roof penetrations, your roof’s drop edge, and your attic in a while, it’s a good idea to do so. If you suspect that you have a problem, don’t delay in reaching out to us. It is much less expensive to repair your roof before everything under it gets ruined by water damage.
Contact A Professional Roof Contractor
If you need help in the process of spotting roof leaks, feel free to reach out to us and we’ll inspect it for you. Any sign of leakage should prompt expert repair work from Southside Exteriors. Our professional crew has the training and experience to identify the source of roof leaks. We’ll then perform the necessary repair work to restore your roof and extend its life. With our help, you can make sure your home remains dry and damage free. Contact Us today for a free estimate. If you want to speak with someone directly, Click Here or dial 757-572-4903.
