How To Find Roof Leaks On A Flat Roof

On a nice day have a helper tap on the mark while you re on the roof.

How to find roof leaks on a flat roof.

On coated concrete flat or low slope roofs the tracing of a leak to its probable source is often a bit easier because the horizontal travel distance will be less and the inside leak will appear close to a crack or close to a roof drain or point of overflow if the drains are blocked. Look closely at all seams. So let s look at the ten of the most common culprits in causing your roof to leak and what you can and should do about them other than recruiting a bucket brigade. Look for concentric rings of dirt as the puddles dry out.

Seams a high priority. Look for places where tree branches may have gouged or torn the roofing material. If a leak is difficult to find enlist a helper and go up on the roof with a garden hose. Any seam in the roofing material is a natural spot for a leak.

Look here for tiny holes or splits in the roof. Unfortunately the leak might not be in the exact spot you find the water stains. Often water will pond in low spots in a flat roof. If you have an attic the easiest way to spot the leak is to up there on a rainy day.

You will see evidence of these areas on a flat roof. Start low soaking the area just above where the leak appears in the house. Roof slope surfacing and the type of roof deck among other factors can all contribute to disguising the actual source of a roof leak. Thin pieces of material sometimes metal that have been installed to weatherproof the roof and stop water entering at angles or joint.

A common cause of leaks on flat roofs is often flashing. Tracing a low slope or flat roof leak to its source is important if you are to assure that the roof leak repair will be successful. Water will reflect light so bring a flashlight along. If you see water stains on your ceiling it probably means the roof is leaking.

Identifying the true location of roof leaks in the attic. Once you locate the source of the water mark the area. Clear any debris from the roof. For example soak the downhill side of a chimney first then each side then the top on both sides.

Roof leaks can ruin insulation become a breeding ground for black mold damage interior ceilings and walls and rot the wooden framing. This flashing is normally installed around pipes and at roof edges but it isn t always that durable. How to find a leak on a flat roof the best time to look for a leak is when the roof has been dry for at least three days and in the evening night time when after cooling down the flat roof leak hot spot will release heat that has stored underneath the hole during the day. The inner layer or step flashing covers.

Isolate areas when you run the hose. Walk around the roof looking at the metal flashing. Typically there are two layers of flashing.