As a homeowner, you’ll already know that a leaking roof can cause some serious damage. When the roof is leaking badly, you’ll end up with costly repairs and it’s super important that you understand how to spot those issues so that you can make your fix before it becomes a caved in roof.
The good news is that the telltale signs of a roof leak Are easy to spot.If you want to watch for these seven signs we’ve listed below, you can then get roof leak repair experts out to help you as soon as possible. Let’s take a look at the top signs your roof is leaking.
- You have water stains on your ceilings and roof. If you look up and you’re seeing yellow or brown stains on your ceiling and down your walls, it’s likely because you have a leaky roof. These are water spots that have dried out and they keep repeatedly drying out, so the colour changes. Water will often flow across the top of the sheetrock on the plaster until it finds the lowest point it can reach. That means that the water can get into your light fixtures and pull down the drywall with it.
- There is mold on your exterior walls. There’s nothing worse than having mold in or outside the home because it’s hard to get rid of. If you have mold growing on an exterior wall, there’s likely that you have a roof leak happening right there and then. A measuring tape can determine how far the mold spot is from the door to the corner of the room. This way you can tell how far the roof leak is spreading. With the help of an expert roofer you can plan to fix the issue and make sure that it’s completely done.
- You notice dripping. You’ll hear it or you’ll see it, but if you notice dripping in your attic or anywhere else, a roof leak is usually to blame. Even if the leak isn’t completely present, you should make sure that you check it out so that it doesn’t get any worse. There could be an ice dam forming when ice and snow has frozen and thawed, especially in the winter months.
- The shingles are cracked, damaged, or missing. You’ll have to go on a ladder for this one, so make sure you have somebody with you to spot you. If the shingles are compromised, water can get inside the house. If you notice any are broken or missing, you need to replace or repair them as soon as humanly possible, otherwise you’re going to be welcomed in more leaks.
- The flashing is damaged or missing. Metal flashing around the edges of vents, the roof or the chimney area can cause water to leak into your home. If the step flashing rusts, water can seep inside, especially if it becomes loose. Damaged flashing is often because of drying and cracking, as well as storms and high winds. You can sometimes do a roof repair here without replacing the whole roof, but this isn’t something you should ever attempt to do by yourself.
- You’ve noticed a puddle of water. Whether on your roof or inside the home, underneath the roof in the loft. If you have a flat roof especially, water can and will create puddles in specific areas. Once you notice these puddles, you need to speak to an expert, because getting the roof fix should be your new priority.
- Damaged plumbing vents. You should be always sure to cover any exposed nails in your roof with sealant to prevent them from oxidizing in the rain. If you notice that the plumbing vent, which is usually a white pipe sticking out of the roof, has rotted. Water will travel down inside that pipe and cause a leak in your home.
These are just the usual signs that your roof is leaking because of damage. But beyond roof damage, there can be other issues that cause condensation in your home. Whether it’s rusted gutters or debris in the downspouts, you need to make sure that your roof leak has been assessed properly by an expert. You are not a roofing expert, so you need to make sure that you have somebody who knows exactly what they’re looking at and what they are doing. Come in and get it fixed. Don’t wait around for this one. It’s so important that you get on top of this as soon as humanly possible.
