Steps to Find a Leak in Your Roof

1. Water stains on walls or ceilings.
2. Musty smells or moldy odors.
3. Missing, warped, or damaged shingles.
4. Bulging sections on interior walls.
5. Water-damaged exterior siding.
6. If you have a metal roof, look for rust.

How do plumbers find leaks?

Acoustic listening devices – Ground microphones and listening discs are among the basic tools that plumbers use to pinpoint leaks. Using sound technology, they can hear the noise of escaping water and dripping even through a layer of concrete.

What do you need to check first if there is a water leak?

Check Your Water Meter – If you suspect a water leak in your home, the best way to tell is by checking the water meter. To accomplish this, first, turn off all the water to your home. Shut off any running faucets and be sure the dishwasher and washing machine are powered down, too.

Which roof style is most prone to leakage?

What is a Flat Roof – A flat roof is almost exactly that – a roof that has so little slope or pitch that it appears to be completely flat (although they do have a very slight pitch to allow for water runoff). Flat roofs can be made from many types of material, although EPDM rubber or TPO and PVC roofing membranes are the most common, along with tar and gravel, roll roofing, or metal sheets. There are many advantages to a flat roof – you can use it as a deck or patio, for instance. The outdoor living space can be a wonderful advantage in the spring and summer, or whenever the weather cooperates in your area. Depending on the details of your property, it may also be possible to partially enclose a flat roof for a penthouse-style private deck.

• You can also put heating and cooling units on top of a flat roof, which is a good way to keep them out of the way and avoid obscuring the architecture of your home with that equipment.
• Another advantage of a flat roof is the ease of installing PV solar panels, which will improve the energy efficiency of the structure – and of course, adding solar makes a flat roof eco-friendlier.

One note, flat roof repair can be particularly complicated if you don’t have the right roofing company helping out. You can also grow a garden on a flat roof, therefore creating a green roof which not only is good for the environment, but also adds an additional layer of insulation and helps make your heating and cooling systems more efficient and cost-effective. Last but not least, flat roofs tend to be less expensive due to their relatively simple construction, but they are more prone to water leakage and damage, and may require more regular maintenance than a pitched roof.

Why would a roof leak with no rain?

Five Common Leak Sources NOT Associated With The Roof It all starts with seeing a small drip of water or a stained ceiling tile. The little nuisance that a roof leak is to a building owner always is cause for concern to get addressed and repaired before it ever turns into a larger major problem.

• Many times a real estate building owner will call for a commercial roofing contractor to service a building for roof leaks they see but they are not always necessarily coming from the roof itself.
• Yes it may come from the ‘roof area’ but there are several other key things that need to be considered and looked into which a majority of the time, can be major causes of roof leaks in the commercial building world.1.

HVAC Units – Air conditioning units are many times found to be the culprit of a roof leak. From a backed up condensate line, to a rusted out drip pan, or a unit that is not properly sealed – HVAC units are common causes of every day roof leaks on commercial real estate buildings.

1. Taking the time to locate a leak from the inside of the building and seeing if it lines up with a mechanical unit on the roof surface is a great step in determining if the HVAC unit is a possible cause.
2. Also look for holes or missing screws on units where rain water can easily gain access into a unit or penetration and make its way into a building.2.

Cracks in Walls and Wall Joints – If a leak of water appears to be coming down from an outside wall of a building, this may be caused from cracks in walls or bad mortar. One of the most common sources of leaks on the wall of a building are found at wall joints especially when the sealant at these areas crack and deteriorate over time.

Always keep regular observation on the upkeep of a buildings exterior walls and if cracks/voids start showing in wall areas, they should be addressed right away.3. Plumbing from Roof Drains – As buildings age, the plumbing and seals of a building often need to be inspected regularly as plumbing seals can deteriorate and wear over time.

If a so called ‘roof leak’ is coming from an area with a roof drain or drain pipe located near it, there can be cause for concern that the leak is actually associated with the plumbing of a building. This may take thorough examination by a roofing contractor and plumbing contractor together but once it’s determined to be coming from the roof drain bowl or the roof drain line – a plumbing contractor will have to take it from there.

1. One side note to consider if the leak is at the drain bowl / pipe connection – a metal retrofit roof drain might be an option to fix the issue.4.
2. Condensation and Moisture – If you ever walk into a cold grocery store or temperature controlled environment, the temperature from cooling equipment can cause major moisture issues which can lead to condensation and moisture drips.

Most of this comes down to the design of a buildings air cooling systems via piping or duct work that may be up against the roof deck in the ceiling but it is usually very easy to identify. If stained ceiling tiles or drips of water are coming from areas with duct work or pipes in the ceiling area, the main thing to monitor is if these drips of water are occurring during normal sunny days where no rain has been present.

1. If this happens to be the case, a professional HVAC technician might have major issues to address in the insulation and function of the air cooling system in a building.5.
2. Foundation Water Entry – There are times when a commercial building owner comes into their building one morning and they find water all over the ground or up against walls.

A common source, especially on older buildings is that the water may be coming in via the floor or wall-to-ground areas of a building. If the puddles of water are large or extremely saturated but no staining of ceiling areas or old water marks are found, this foundation issue may be the main problem.

1. It would be wise to wait until a good heavy rain and see if it actually leaks in the rain from the roof at all.
2. Roof leaks or leaks that may be believed to come from the roof can be a common occurrence in the commercial real estate world but having proper professional contractors who know how to investigate and sort through the different water entry items of a building are a great resource to have.

For professional commercial roofing services and consultation for a real estate building which is facing leaking issues – contact of Peach State Roofing Inc. Their information can be found on the of our website. : Five Common Leak Sources NOT Associated With The Roof

Does a roof leak mean roof replacing?

How To Know If Your Roof Leak Will Require Replacement A single roof leak might not always mean you need to have your entire roof replaced. It could be caused by several reasons, some of which are easily fixed with a minor repair. However, multiple leaks or signs of roof damage could mean it’s time to replace your roof before more leaks or water damage to your home occur.

Can you live in a house with a roof leak?

Structural Risks of a Leaking Roof – If water is seeping through your roof, it can easily find a way to cause long-term damage due to dry rot. This phenomenon occurs when a wooden piece repeatedly soaks up water from a leak. Dry rot can weaken essential structural elements of a house and, in extreme cases, could eventually lead to a collapse.

Can walking on roof cause leaks?

By Tadlock Roofing | Tadlockblogpost | Comments are Closed | December 20, 2016 | 0 Roof damage is often brought on by severe weather or other natural causes. But, sometimes it can be human error or a temporary lapse in judgment that will have you looking for professional roofing assistance.

• These avoidable mistakes often create larger problems and unforeseen, additional costs for homeowners.
• To ensure you don’t fall into this expensive trap, here are four roof-related activities you should avoid.
• Walking on your roof (unless absolutely necessary) You should always think twice before propping up your ladder and climbing onto your roof.

Beyond the potential of falling off, there is the actual damage to the roof that may occur as a result of your walking on it. Walking on your asphalt shingles can leave the shingles bare, dislodge them or create gaps that can increase the potential for leaks.

While it’s recommended that you stay off of your roof as much as possible, unavoidable incidents may make that difficult. If you are forced to climb on your roof to remove debris after a storm or to blow of piling leaves, remember to wear shoes that provide traction and sweep of the leaves or debris as you walk to reveal any trapped moisture that may cause you to slip.

Patching a leak There are few reasons your roof could be leaking, but one common cause in Florida is damage due to inclement weather. Because leaks only get worse over time, sometimes it can be tempting for homeowners to try to patch it themselves in an effort to expedite the process, but that’s usually not a smart move.

1. When an inexperienced person climbs up to fix a roof, especially one that may be weather damaged, they are only heightening the chance of an accident occurring.
2. Additionally, they may not be getting to the real root of the problem, and could make it worse.
3. A leaking roof can be the result of a number of issues, including cracked flashing, broken shingles, valleys that are not properly sealed, rusted nails and clogged gutters.

However, by taking a few easy steps, you can prevent future roof leaks, Letting mold and mildew build up Sometimes it’s not about what you do to your roof, but what you don’t do. The rain, wind and humidity that Florida regularly experiences can lead to mold and mildew as well as black algae growing on your roof.

1. In addition to being aesthetically displeasing, the mold, mildew and stubborn algae can also weaken the integrity of your roof.
2. To protect your shingles and help prevent future growth, you should hire a professional roofing contractor that offers roof washing services to do the job for you.
3. When you leave it to the professionals, a much gentler, lasting approach is taken—ours being the use of Roof-A-Cide roof cleaner.

Using the EPA certified algaecide and fungicide prevents roof discoloration and the perpetual washing cycle and significant roof damage that can occur when cleaning with chlorine bleach solutions. Plus, when a professional roofer does the job, they will be able to detect any other issues while they’re on your roof.

1. Pressure washing your roof As previously mentioned, you will need to keep your roof clean, but if you do decide to do it yourself, pressure washing is definitely not a good alternative.
2. Ironically, one of the most common causes of roof damage and premature aging is improper washing—due mainly to the repeated application of harsh chemicals with high pressure.

It’s simple science, really. Water erodes rock over time, and the same can happen with the asphalt on your shingles. Now, imagine what highly pressurized water can do. The erosion greatly reduces the lifespan of your roof and leads to roof leaks. Before you make a mistake that can land you on a list like this one, call Tadlock Roofing today at 855-964-7663 to consult a professional about all of your roofing questions.

By Tadlock Roofing | Comments are Closed Leaking roofs are something that many homeowners have dealt with at least once. It’s important to call in the professionals to pinpoint the exact cause because ignoring a leaking roof can have devastating effects. In Read more By Tadlock Roofing | 0 comment With Christmas just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about welcoming Santa Claus to your home. As you already know, he uses your roof and chimney to sneak into your house, bringing presents Read more By Tadlock Roofing | 1 comment When planning to sell your property, you want to maximize its sale potential. But do you know what turns away buyers the most? A long and comprehensive list of items that they’ll need to fix Read more By Tadlock Roofing | Comments are Closed In our day and age, fraud has become more widespread than ever. While some scams are easy to notice, others are more devious and look like real opportunities to save money. Let’s take a look Read more By Tadlock Roofing | 5 comments The roof is the unsung hero of your home — protecting you from extreme temperatures, harsh weather, and pesky critters. However, many homeowners take their roof for granted and neglect it until the first signs Read more

How do you find a leak in your roof without an attic?

How to Find a Roof Leak with No Attic Directions –

Find all of the water stains on the ceiling. Look specifically for a stain that is higher up the cathedral ceiling than the other stains. If you see a small stain in a high location, ask yourself if it is upslope from larger lower stains.

If a small stain is higher up the slope than a big stain, then that should be where water is penetrating. The water gets in and then runs down inside the ceiling until pooling and forming a larger stain.

Now that you know the general area of the leak, carefully get up on the roof. Mount an extension ladder securely at the edge of the roof. Wear nonskid rubber-soled shoes when climbing on the roof. Approach the area of the suspected leak. Inspect the flashing on any nearby vents or chimneys for damage. Look at the shingles to see if any are loose or if moss is growing over them. Take a pry bar and gently lift up shingles to look at the roof deck. The leak will be evident if you see broken tar paper and rotting wood. If you can’t find obvious damage, pull a garden hose up on the roof. Soak the shingles in small locations and ask someone in the house to watch for leaks. Be methodical as you wet small areas of the roof until you find the leak.

: How to Find a Roof Leak with No Attic

What does a leaky roof look like?

1. Water Stains on Walls and Ceilings – Do you see yellow, brown, or faint stains on your ceiling and walls? It’s likely due to a leaky roof. These water spots are often located in the center of the room, but may be in the corners or along an exterior wall.

If water has reached your walls and ceilings, it’s time to repair the issue to prevent mold, rotted framing, and damaged ceilings. Contact a local roofing expert to find the trouble spot and repair it thoroughly. “Water generally will flow across the top of the sheetrock or plaster until it finds the lowest point, and that is where the water will appear,” says Ami Feller, owner of Roofer Chicks in New Braunfels, TX.

“Often that means the water comes into light fixtures, because the weight of the fixture slightly pulls down the drywall. If this happens, no need to panic. Just turn off the fixture to stop the flow of electricity and call a professional.”

How do you find a leak in your roof without an attic?

How to Find a Roof Leak with No Attic Directions –

Find all of the water stains on the ceiling. Look specifically for a stain that is higher up the cathedral ceiling than the other stains. If you see a small stain in a high location, ask yourself if it is upslope from larger lower stains.

If a small stain is higher up the slope than a big stain, then that should be where water is penetrating. The water gets in and then runs down inside the ceiling until pooling and forming a larger stain.

Now that you know the general area of the leak, carefully get up on the roof. Mount an extension ladder securely at the edge of the roof. Wear nonskid rubber-soled shoes when climbing on the roof. Approach the area of the suspected leak. Inspect the flashing on any nearby vents or chimneys for damage. Look at the shingles to see if any are loose or if moss is growing over them. Take a pry bar and gently lift up shingles to look at the roof deck. The leak will be evident if you see broken tar paper and rotting wood. If you can’t find obvious damage, pull a garden hose up on the roof. Soak the shingles in small locations and ask someone in the house to watch for leaks. Be methodical as you wet small areas of the roof until you find the leak.

: How to Find a Roof Leak with No Attic