How to Spot a Leaky Roof

You can rest easy when you have a roof over your head–until that roof starts leaking. If there are signs of moisture on your ceiling, don’t wait to investigate the roof. Let us show you the signs that indicate a leaky roof and how to safely mark the leak location. When you catch the leak early, you maximize your repair budget and minimize the damage.

Signs You May Have a Roof Leak

Common signs of a roof leak include sagging drywall, a water stain that spreads, or water dripping from the ceiling. If you can safely get into your attic, you’ll want to inspect the source of the water. Once you’re in the attic, look for soaked insulation, rust or black rings around nails, or algae stains on interior plywood. These all indicate that moisture is gathering in the attic. The sooner you can diagnose a problem and get it repaired, the better chance you have of preventing mold growth.

Steps to Locating the Problem Area

When you’ve determined the location of the interior leak, grab a flashlight and take your investigation higher on a rainy day. Below are the steps we encourage you to take to confidently locate the source of the leak. Make sure you can safely attempt each step. Contact Alliance Roofing Company to help you find the source if needed.

1. Enter the Attic – In the attic, you should be able to find where the water is draining through your ceiling.
2. Scan for Damage – When you locate the point of the ceiling roof, scan the sheathing above your head, along the peak of the roof.
3. Shine your Flashlight – Water will reflect light, so by shining your flashlight around where you think the leak is, you can confirm the location of the leak.
4. Mark the Location – If possible, mark the location of the leak inside the attic. You may need to measure the distance from the highest point to the water damage. Then, outside, our roofing contractors can measure the same distance from the ridgeline down the roof to mark the source of the leak and repair it.

What Causes a Leaky Roof?

Mother nature has a lot to do with leaky roofs. In many cases, you might not be able to prevent shingle damage. However, be sure that shingles are replaced before their warranty expires. Shingles are more prone to damage the older they are. Here are the four most common causes of a roof leak:

1. Missing Shingles – Aggressive wind can rip a shingle off your roof and create an open door for water to enter.
2. Damaged Shingles – Branches that hang over your roof can crack or damage shingles during a storm. Hail is another culprit for cracked shingles. Do your part to keep trees trimmed and select shingles that have a high roof rating.
3. Gaps – Over time, wood can swell and settle forming gaps around flashing. Flashing is the material installed along the roof plane and vertical surfaces like a chimney, vent, skylight, or dormer. When gaps along the flashing occur, water easily sneaks through.
4. Broken or Worn Flashing – If the flashing is damaged, a sealant or adhesive can be used to immediately remedy the problem.

If you have a leaky roof in the greater Houston area, don’t hesitate to contact us at Alliance Roofing Company. Our company is proud to be among an exclusive 3% of all roofing contractors certified as GAF Master Elite. If you need a trustworthy contractor to help you correct a leaky roof, call Alliance Roofing Company today.