How To Find Roof Water Leaks

Inspect the underside of the roof for objects that have pierced it or have been attached to it.

How to find roof water leaks.

If you have an attic the easiest way to spot the leak is to up there on a rainy day. For example soak the downhill side of a chimney first then each side then the top on both sides. Inspect the walls outside of your home for any watermarks. Identifying the true location of roof leaks in the attic.

Isolate areas when you run the hose. After the rain has stopped and it s sunny outside examine the exterior of your roof to look for problem areas that may be causing the leak. Most noticeable to the eye are leaks caused by an object for example an errant nail that s managed. Look for discoloration on wood sheathing or rafters caused by water.

To locate the source of the problem go up into your attic and try to get above the stain in the ceiling. Start in the attic. Once you locate the source of the water mark the area. Water testing for roof leaks if you can t find the cause of a leak from the attic or by visual inspection on the roof surface wait for dry weather and ask a friend to help you do a water test.

We ll cover some of the most common causes for roof leaks below. Water will reflect light so bring a flashlight along. The other person goes inside the attic with a bucket and a strong light. Start low soaking the area just above where the leak appears in the house.

In most cases you find out about a roof leak by seeing a water stain on your ceiling. Find a roof leak when it s not raining. The presence of rust on the flashing and gaps on your siding are also good indicators of roof leaks. On a nice day have a helper tap on the mark while you re on the roof.

To do this one person goes onto the roof with a garden hose.