Roof Leak Repair Part 1: How to Locate a Roof Leak, and What to Do About It

by Sue White | Apr 12, 2023 | Roofing

leaky roof Fort Worth TX A roof leak can be difficult to locate, costly to repair, and can even pose a danger to the livability and safety of your home. You should therefore locate the leaky roof area and repair it quickly to prevent further damage to your property. If the roof leak is severe or you cannot fix it yourself, your insurance agent can help you. You can fix minor roof leaks or small leaks by yourself. Here’s how to find out if your roof is leaking and what you can do to fix it before they get worse. You may have noticed waterstains or running down your walls if your roof is leaky.

Do not panic or be too worried about repairing a minor leaky roof. You may be able do it yourself. The hard part of finding the leak is easy, but the actual repair can be very simple. Be aware that if your roof has been damaged by severe weather or natural disasters like tornadoes, storms, or hurricanes, you should inspect it for any signs of leaks before you start looking. Even the smallest hailstones can cause hail damage to your roof and lead to a leaky roof.

Even if your home was spared major damage, minor roof leaks can still be difficult to spot even for experts. It is also important to know what type of roof you have, and how long it lasts. This information will help you decide if repairing a leak is worthwhile or if a new roof is necessary. You probably know by now that your roof needs to be checked out by experts in the event of a severe storm or visible wind damage. If you have noticed any of the minor signs, you should examine the situation further to determine what the next steps are regarding your roof leak and repair.

Water Leaks from Ceiling

Are you seeing water spots on your ceiling? Especially if they have been there after a storm or significant rainfall. Leakage from the ceiling or small water spots may be an early sign of leaks.
Do you see damp spots around the fireplaces, interior air vents, or ceiling?
Do the drywall and paint around light fixtures, electrical outlets, or other drywall seem damp or wet?
Are you hearing strange dripping sounds in your home?
Do you notice any drips or moisture on your walls after a major freeze? You should be aware that freezing temperatures can cause an “ice dam”, which may appear to stop the leak. However, the problem will return once the weather warms.
Do you notice a musty odor in your home, particularly in the attic and on the upper floors?
Are you seeing interior paint peeling off, bubbling, or being affected by hard rains?
Are there water spots on your roof sheathing or rafters in your attic?
Warning Signs for Roof Leaks
Are there shingles lying around in your yard?
Are your shingles curling or buckling?
Are you seeing roof rot or extremely discolored or degraded shingles?
Have you noticed any changes in the appearance or color of your roof?
Are there exposed nails or loose nails on your roof?
Are there cracked or damaged flashings around your roof vents
What about your chimney? Are there any cracked sealants?
Are there any debris piles around your chimney, in the valleys of your roof or at lower points?
Are your gutters or downspouts clogged?
Are there any peeling paints or rotting areas beneath your roof’s eaves?
Are there any shingle granules or other debris in the gutters?

You should remove any moss or mold from your exterior walls, especially if it seems to be growing.

How to find a roof leak

You should start your search for a leaky roof by inspecting the areas that are higher than the exterior stains.
You should inspect the roof from the outside for leaks.
Roof penetrations and other problems which can lead to leaks are usually around the plumbing, chimneys vents, chimneys or dormers.
Leakages can occur up to a meter away from the mentioned constructions. Make sure you inspect the entire roof and not just the area surrounding the projections.
Roofs without shingles or uninterrupted surfaces are unlikely to leak. Even older roofs have shingles or no roof at all. Therefore, the first step is to inspect the roof for holes or other damage.
Flat roof repairs can be very complicated.
Metal roof repairs can also be very complicated and may require the assistance of a commercial roofing contractor.
Next, access the attic, if possible.
You can use a flashlight, a smartphone, or a camera to check for signs of roof leakage, such as water stains, black marks, mold, or other irregularities that could indicate a potential problem.
Use a flashlight to look up at the source of the leak. This is especially important if it has been dry.
You may be able to pinpoint the leaky spots by switching off external light sources.
While inspecting your roof from the inside, make sure you stay on the secure framing.

Locating the source of your roof leaks

It is often difficult to find the source of roof leaks, as the areas where the leak can be seen (water spots and stains) are not always close enough to the actual leak.

Water travels downhill from where it enters your roof. Therefore, the actual leak or hole could be higher up on the roof’s plane.

Roof leaks can travel downline from the roof, sheathing or the top of your ceiling until they reach a point where water can drip down. This could be quite serious.

Experts in roofing will tell you to think like water when searching for a leaky roof. Water can enter through cracked or missing shingles, badly sealed flashing around skylights, chimneys, vents, and intersections of planes.

You may have to climb up onto the roof to inspect things if you don’t have access to your attic or have a vaulted ceiling.

This can be difficult and you might want to hire professionals if you are unsure about your abilities.

It can save you time and money by finding a professional roofing company in your local area.

Roof Leak Detector: Use a drone to detect a leaky roof

You can use a drone for roof damage assessment if you are able or willing to learn new things, especially if you have a drone or a friend who does.

Without climbing on top of your roof, you can capture photos and videos from angles that you might not be able to see otherwise. This can be very dangerous, especially for those who don’t have any construction experience.

How to test for water leaks on your roof

There are many methods to check for water leaks in your roof. This will depend on what type of roof you have, how much experience you have with roof repairs, and what resources you have.

Roof Leaks can be found using the Garden Hose Method

You can test for leaks by running your garden hose across the roof to check for drips.

You can ask someone to assist you outside by running the hose around the roof and inside the area you suspect is leaking.

Begin by identifying the potential leakage areas. Next, isolate smaller areas once in a while to pinpoint the source.

To get the best idea of where leaks are occurring, soak the chimney or skylight on one side first. Then, soak the other sides.

You should spend at least 30 seconds on each side. The entire process can take up to an hour so be patient and don’t forget to let the drips dry.

If you see a leak or drip inside, mark it with a pen or pencil. Next, bring the hose upstream to the leak to check if it continues.

Your helper or you should remain in the area where you suspect leaks are occurring. Look for drips and moisture and then inform the person using the hose to move it upwards until you locate the source.

You or your assistant(s), if you have access to the roof, should remove any shingles that are deemed problematic to locate the source of the leak.

Water-stained, rotten, or charred wood will likely be visible around the rook hole.

This is probably the easiest way to find a leak. However, the type and access of your roof will determine the method you use.

Remember that you must mark the location of any leaks and gather the necessary supplies to fix them. This is especially important if you plan to use the plastic sheeting technique described below.

These measurements can be used to determine how much plastic sheeting you will need to cover the roof’s exterior or plywood, or shingles on the interior.