How Do I Know If I Have A Roof Leak

But if access is a problem or you have a vaulted ceiling you ll have to go up onto the roof and examine the suspect s.

How do i know if i have a roof leak. On a nice day have a helper tap on the mark while you re on the roof. If you see drips moisture on the walls or moisture stains but don t see them often you may still have a leak in your roof. Traveling leaks mean expensive water damage repairs and it s a sign that the leak may have been active for a long time. Roof leak warning sign 1.

If you have attic access the easiest way to track down a leak is to go up there with a flashlight and look for the evidence. Other sources of potential leaks in the home include plumbing roof scuppers roof drains hvac and condensation. Water will reflect light so bring a flashlight along. Grab a bucket trash can or some other container and place it under the site of the drip or suspected leak.

Sometimes there s a drip. Algae and mold are growing near the leak when you see algae growing on the roof it s clear you have a moisture problem. Visible mold growth usually dark green brown or black a musty odor near the area of the roof leak. Algae and mold occurs most often in warm humid climates such as the southeast united states caused by growth of airborne fungi or algae deposited on roof may not impact overall life of the shingle but could indicate potential problems.

There will be water stains black marks or mold. Aside from the above visible signs there are also some obvious health side effects that can trigger you to realize you have mold in your home. Once you locate the source of the water mark the area. Also look for a thin stream of water flowing down one of the rafters.

Confirm that the source of the water on the inside of the home is a result of a roof leak and not due to a problem associated with other components of the home. If you notice discoloration on your ceiling or walls take a closer look for mold moisture and other telltale signs of a leak. If you find water dripping from a bulges or discoloration in your ceiling it s likely that water is pooling on the other side of that bulge or dark spot. If you have an attic the easiest way to spot the leak is to up there on a rainy day.

If the leak has spread through the roof and attic far from where it began you have a serious problem. Begin by locating the leak on the inside of the home.