How to Find a Roof Leak in 7 Steps | Leak Detection

Want to know how to find a roof leak? A leaky roof requires that you address the matter quickly, but what happens when you can’t find a roof leak?

As you know, a leaking roof is nothing to mess around with (hence why you’re reading this article), but roof leaks are not created equally. Today, we will share with you the signs of a roof leak, ways to figure out the source of the leak, and solutions to fix your leaky roof!

➡️Learn about the Top Dog Home Pro Leak Detection Service

Signs of a Roof Leak

Usually, when you are looking for a roof leak, the most apparent signs include water stains inside your house, wet insulation or drywall, and water pooling on the floor in your home. Most leaks can be found in the attics, and common indicators of a roof leak are missing or damaged shingles, destructive storms, and old flashing on your roof.

The areas on your roof most prone to roof leaks are:

1. Around chimneys and vents (roof flashing)
2. Pipe collars and vents
3. Eaves and roof valleys or around skylights
4. Clogged gutters (the pooling water leads to leaks)
5. Missing siding can lead to exterior walls leaking

Why Finding and Repairing Leaks Quickly is Vital

While roof leaks are undoubtedly rare, if you suspect your roof leaks, you want to address it as fast as possible. Roofs are the tallest part of your home, and the leak will travel from the roof as far down as your home’s foundation.

Roof leaks will often start in your attic, but you might find the leak in your bathroom or kitchen. Mold and mildew can form in your attic, rafters, and roof sheathing. Acting fast to fix a roof leak can actually save you money, and a minor roof repair is generally cheaper than a complete roof replacement!

While you might see some telltale signs, roof penetrations sometimes aren’t so evident after a storm. That is why we will teach you how to find a roof leak below:

How to Locate a Roof Leak – Before it Damages Your Home!

Here are the simple steps to find a roof leak. Now, that said, sometimes interior walls may not show the full extent of a leaking roof, and if you can’t see the leak – we always recommend calling a professional roofer to help.

1. First, make sure you don’t have an interior leak!

If you have dripping water but there isn’t a recent storm, chances are you might have an interior leak, not a roof leak. Be sure to 100% rule out interior plumbing leaks before you go all in on a roof leak or pursue the roof repair process. If you see water dripping and it isn’t raining, chances are you have an interior leak instead.

2. Inspect the Roof Interior (attic)

Chances are if you have a leaking roof, you will see it form the attic. While getting into your attic can be challenging, the best thing to do if you have attic access is to inspect your rafters, attic floor, and attic insulation with a flashlight. If you see black stains or mildew, you are close to finding your roof leak.

3. Check the Step Flashing and Roof Vents

In all of the roof leak inspections we have done at Top Dog Home Pro here in Northern Virginia, most of the leaking roofs come from flashing issues or #6 pipe seals breaking. The upside to flashing roof leaks is they are rather simple to fix and don’t require a new roof. The downside is that sometimes, knowing exactly where the water is penetrating the flashing can be hard for the everyday homeowner.

4. Look for Damaged Shingles

Damaged or missing shingles are often dead giveaways as to the source of the leak. Scan your entire roof and watch for exposed nails, damaged shingles, or missing shingles where water can access your home.

5. Water Stains Inside

If you randomly notice water stains in your ceiling, chances are high if its not an interior pipe leak, it is coming from your roof. Focus on numbers three and four, and our next tip is to find a roof leak to see what the cause is.

6. Inspect Plumbing Vent Boots & Pipes

If it isn’t flashing, it is almost always the boot or seal around a vent/plumbing pipe from your roof. Most roofing contractors will find roof leaks by simply going and inspecting the roof pipes. In order to prevent leaks, you can install new perma boots if your roof is over ten years old.

7. Use a Garden Hose to Find a Roof Leak

While we don’t necessarily recommend this tip for finding a roof leak, one idea is you can take a garden hose and spray your roof. Meanwhile, have someone inside look in the attic and see if they notice water entering the inside. This can help you narrow down the source of your leak.

Professional Roof Leak Detection & Repair

While you might be able to notice a leak, diagnosing the actual cause and then repairing a leaking roof isn’t always a DIY project. Here at Top Dog Home Pro, we specialize in roof repairs and helping NOVA homeowners with roof leaks.

We actually offer a Leak Detection Service where we inspect your roof, and the inspection cost is applied to any repairs if you have them. Most homeowners want to avoid costly repairs, and we get that. However, our leak detection services find the entry point, and with experience conducting over 1,000 roof inspections, we know the most commonly affected areas and can easily spot improper installation of roof systems.

Get our full leak detection services today!

FAQ:

What is the best way to find the exact location of a leak?

The best way to find the affected area of a roof leak is to call a roofing company. Structural damage is possible with prolonged roof leaks, and we don’t recommend trying to get on your roof yourself to find leaks. Once a Northern Virginia roofer like Top Dog Home Pro finds a leak, we can perform the necessary repairs to prevent further damage.

What are the most common causes of roof leaks?

The most common causes of roof leaks that lead to water damage include:

• Water stains inside
• Black mold growth or mildew
• Sagging roof decking
• Missing shingles
• Exposed areas of your roof
• Other telltale signs included the common leak-prone areas like valleys and flashing.

Why should I get a professional roof leak repair?

A DIY roof replacement is not only risky and unsafe; it often requires craftsmanship. If you think you can complete a roof repair on your own that will last and prevent further leaks, you will most likely cause even more issues. Everything from using the proper roofing materials to removing shingles requires a professional roofer.

What areas of the roof are most prone to leaking?

Roof valleys, flashing, chimneys, skylights, vents, and pipes located on the roof are the most common areas for roofing leaks. If you suspect a roof leak, be sure to hire a professional roofing company such as Top Dog Home Pro to help with a roof leak detection service.