Tips and Tricks for Locating and Repairing Roof Leaks

Roof leaks aren't always visible from the roof surface itself and if left unfixed, can cause major damage to your roof and home. These damages can be a big financial responsibility that could be avoided with a simple roof inspection.

Tips and Tricks to Locate Roof Leaks

If you're experiencing water damage to your home, the roof is often the first place you'll look for a leak. By carefully looking for any signs of water leakage around the eaves, flashing, roof vents, and roof penetrations you can easily detect roof leaks that might have gone undetected otherwise. While roof leaks can be difficult to find and repair, there are some tips and tricks that can make the process a little bit easier.

1. Start your roof inspection from the roof itself: Look for any damage to roofing materials, such as missing shingles or roof flashing around roof penetrations. Roofing materials deteriorate over time, causing roof leaks. Pay particular attention to roof valleys, roof edges, and roof penetrations. These are the most vulnerable areas of a roof and are often where roof leaks occur.

2. Inspect inside the attic or crawl space for roof leaks: Excess moisture can create a musty odor and possibly water stains on roof sheathing or insulation. Check to make sure that roof vents, attic fans, and other roof penetrations are properly sealed and in good condition.

3. Check for exposed nails: When a roof is installed, nails often penetrate the roofing and shingle layers, creating potential entry points for water. It's important to ensure that these nail locations are properly sealed with roof flashings or sealants to prevent any roof leaks from occurring around them.

4. Look for water stains: Look for roof drainage stains around roof eaves and roof valleys. These stains can indicate roof leaks. Check roof gutters for signs of roof runoff staining or clogged roof drains which can cause leaks. Look for roof discoloration on roofing materials, such as shingles, roof tile, or metal roofing, and check for missing roofing materials. In addition, check for signs of water staining on ceilings and walls in the top floor that could indicate a roof leak above.

5. Use a water hose: After completing your roof inspection, if you see a potential sign of a leak, use a garden hose to run water over the roof surface in that area. This will help you pinpoint a roof leak and allow you to see exactly where a roof repair is needed. Be sure to leave a few feet between each area on the roof that you run water over, take your time, and look for any signs of leakage. This is best done with a helper, while one of you runs the water, the other can be inside investigating the leak.

These tips should help you with locating roof leaks on your roof. Once you've located the roof leak, it's important to take the necessary steps to repair it properly and avoid further damage.

If you're having difficulty locating roof leaks or don't feel comfortable performing the roof inspection yourself, it's best to contact a reliable roofer for help. A roofer will be able to use their expertise using specialized tools to provide a professional roof inspection. They can identify the source of a roof leak quickly, safely, and accurately. They can also give you an estimate on the work, including a detailed outline of their findings, with the solutions to fix it.

Contact us for your roof inspection in Georgetown, Texas. We are here to help take the weight off your shoulders and save you the time, energy, and risks of having to get on your roof and check it by yourself. At ALCO Roofing we are professional roofing contractors that will be able to locate any leaks, educate you on the process, and repair them for you. With years of experience and dedication to providing quality roofing services, our team is skilled in locating and repairing leaks. And our roof inspections are a free service!