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Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Identifying Roof Leaks

he first sign of a roof leak is often wet ceiling tiles. In this case, the source of the leak can be found by tracing the leak backwards to its source on the roof, keeping in mind that the source of the leak may be some distance away from where it is dripping into the home. There are a number of common places for roofs to leak, including: 
✓ Valleys or low spots in the roof
✓ Skylights or chimneys
✓ Plumbing vent flashings
✓ Wall step flashings
✓ Furnace or B-vent flashings
✓ Missing shingles
 
If the leak is running along the wall, it may be necessary to remove the top tiling to get to the source of the leak. Even so, some leaks may originate further up on the roof, making the source somewhat difficult to find. If the source of the leak turns out to be as simple as a missing block of shingles due to a recent windstorm, the solution may be as simple as replacing those missing shingles. If the cause is more complex, it may be necessary to consult a roofing professional to check the roof. Even if you have to pay for professional help, it is important to repair a leaking roof right away; otherwise you will have even greater home repair expenses from water and moisture damages.