Water damage from a leaking roof may spread quickly or slowly depending on a variety of factors. These include the kind of roof you have, the source of the leak, the make of your house, the material of the roof, ceiling cladding, and the weather conditions. If you suspect your roof is leaking, you are right to be concerned. As you call a roofing specialist, it is best to take immediate action to save your home from further damage.
Hiring efficient and reliable professionals like Davis Roofing and Restoration LLC is the best way to handle a water leak. Unaddressed roof leaks cause much more significant problems the longer they go ignored. Roof leaks have been known to cause structural erosion that significantly devalued the property affected. Remain vigilant and check your roof periodically for signs of leaks; if you find any, hire competent restorers to fix it. It is generally recommended to check your roof every fall and spring.
Signs that your Roof is Leaking
By the time a leak reveals itself, it could have been dripping quietly behind the scenes for some time. Keep an eye out for these internal signs that let you know when your roof is leaking: dark spots on the ceiling, spots that let in light, and a sagging ceiling. On the exterior, leaks reveal themselves by wearing out or debris around vents and chimneys, clogged gutters, and downspouts that drain slowly. Where shingles are missing, rotting, warped blistering, broken, or buckling, the cause could leak in some part of the roof.
Finding the Leak
Finding the source of the leak is a join the dots experience for do-it-yourself. The original entry point of the water may be a significant distance from the place where the signs of the leak appeared. To find a source of leakage, you need to climb into your attic with a flashlight during the day. Take care not to step on the ceiling board. Maintain your balance and stick to strong support beams that can support your weight.
Begin your search from the area of the roof beneath which the ceiling appears discolored or sagging. Consider how your roof slopes where the water would originate from to collect there. Check the support beams propping the roof for signs of mold, water damage, dampness, or discoloration. With your flashlight turned off, examine the roof for signs of daylight flowing in through the cracks or holes.
Experienced roofers will examine your roof through the attic and access it from the top; it is an efficient way of spotting present and future areas that are likely to develop leaks. Following the sign of the leak, e.g., sagging or discoloration should help you identify the immediate source of the leak.
Containing the Leak
Climb onto the roof and place a container under the drip or suspected source of the leak. Now that you have stopped the drip, you need to handle the pool of water that accumulated to cause the discoloration or bulge that made you notice the leak. Use a sharp tool like a screwdriver and pierce the bulge through its center. This hole drains the water and relieves pressure which has been stressing your ceiling and causing the bulge.
Some roof leaks are located in dangerous and hard-to-reach places. If you feel unsafe or do not have the means to access a particular leak, contact a qualified roofer to assess your problem and recommend a solution.
Repairing Leaks
While it is possible to repair your roof, people without experience in roofing are likely to expose safety hazards when handling tools at a great height and in confined spaces. Repairing a leak is much more complicated than containing one. Professional roofers have the proper tools, safety gear, and outfits to undertake roof repairs. A professionally fixed roof will also not act up for a long time. Attempting to repair an old roof by yourself may turn into a game of whack a mole, where a new leak will emerge as soon as you plug one.
Attempting to repair your roof without hiring a professional might also result in further damage to your house because leaks have already compromised the structure significantly.
Prevention is the Best Cure
Restoring or repairing your roof is an unexpected expense for most homeowners. It can be avoided by simple housekeeping habits, e.g., habitually clearing your gutters so that water can drain easily. Annual or semi-annual inspection of the roof to check for and arrest any signs of roof damage that may result in damage, especially during stormy seasons.