When even the smallest leak occurs, it can lead to significant damage to your home, and when left unaddressed, mold growth can occur. This not only poses a threat to the condition of your home but the health of you and your family as well. This is why whenever a roof leak occurs, it is important to locate and repair it as soon as possible. Here is how to locate your leak fast so that repairs can be performed.
Search for the Signs of a Roof Leak
Outside of dripping water, there are several signs of where a roof leak is occurring, even when it is dry outside. These signs include:
- A musty odor in particular rooms
- Water stains on ceilings or walls
- Damaged or missing shingles
- Sagging or bulging sections of interior walls
These signs can indicate roughly where the leak is occurring on your roof. However, to pinpoint the location of the leak, you will have to do a little more work.
Inspect Your Attic
If you have an attic in your home, the next step is to climb up and inspect the underside of your roof for signs of a leak. These include water stains, patches of mold growth, or black marks. If you own a home without an attic space, then you will need to inspect the top of the roof for signs of a leak instead.
However, if you rent the space or own it as a condominium, then there is no need to continue. Instead, contact the property manager or landlord, and they can arrange for a contractor to locate and repair the leak.
Break Out Your Hose
If an inspection of your roof is not enough to pinpoint the leak, then it is time to break out the hose and spray your roof down. Have an assistant stay inside your home where you identified the leak and spray your roof down with the hose moving slowly from section to section.
Spend several minutes spraying down each section, and tell your helper to inform you as soon as they see the drip. This should allow you to identify the area of the leak and if you can’t pinpoint it easily from there, begin removing shingles in the suspected area. This should reveal clear evidence, such as rotting wood or water stains showing you exactly where the leak is.
Final Thoughts
Locating a roof leak can be challenging, but if you follow the steps above, you can have it pinpointed in no time. Just remember to apply caution whenever you or anyone else is on top of a roof. Once located, it is important to act quickly to avoid water damage and mold growth.
Contact Us
When water, fire, or mold damage occurs, it is time to call the experts at Restore Pro. Our remediation professionals have more than twenty years of experience helping home and business owners with a range of restoration services. Call us at 1-800-847-0114 and connect with us on Facebook.
