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How to Find Roof Leaks
Start at the Stain
The place to start is the stain. Wherever the roof is leaking from, the water is collecting in one spot, so reverse-engineering the leak is often the best way to find it. For severely wet drywall, don’t be afraid to remove it and the insulation behind it. Get a good look inside the wall or ceiling joist cavity for water and track it back to the source. Keep in mind that most types of insulation can hold a lot of water and the wall cavity will likely be soaking wet. It may be necessary to let the wall dry a bit before tracking down the water source.
#GLOW LEAK FOR ROOFS AND GUTTERS
Check the Attic
When trying to find a roof leak, it’s often necessary to head to the attic and have a look at the underside of the roofing. Be sure to check every rafter for moisture, and pay special attention to anywhere two planes meet, such as a ceiling porch to the main roof, or where a dormer might meet the roof.
It often helps to look low first, so be sure to check the attic floor and the bottom of the rafters. Use a flashlight and look for moisture, stains, carpenter ant damage, deteriorating sheathing and other telltale signs of a leaky roof.
Keep in mind that the leak might not be from the roof at all. Condensation on metal pipes and nails can also cause small stains.
GLOW LEAK FOR ROOFS AND GUTTERS
Inspect the Roof
With the general area of the source located, head to the roof and inspect it for damage. Be sure to use a ladder, secure footing and extreme caution, as falls from roofs and ladders are dangerous and far too common.
Once at eye-level with the roof, look for obvious damage in the area of the leak. Missing or damaged shingles, structural damage, torn flashing or improperly installed roofing can account for the leak, so keep an eye out for these situations.
GLOW LEAK FOR ROOFS AND GUTTERS
Soak the Roof
If a thorough inspection isn’t fruitful, it may be necessary to recreate rainfall and watch from inside the home. Either drape a hose over the peak of the roof and let it run or have a helper spray the roof with a garden nozzle. Use Glow Leak for quick and easy leak tracing.
To make tracking the leak easier, work in sections. Start on the lower portion of the roof and move from one side of the leak area to the other. Spend a few minutes in each area to ensure the roof is soaked. After soaking the lower portion in the area of the leak, wet the higher portion. Again, work from one side to the other.
While soaking the roof, be sure to check inside for water. Listen for drips, look for puddles and check for moisture in the area.
GLOW LEAK FOR ROOFS AND GUTTERS
Remove the Shingles
If following the above steps has yet to uncover the leak, it may be necessary to dig deeper. Carefully remove the shingles in the affected area and inspect the sheathing. Plywood can wick up moisture, but it should be fairly easy to find the location of the leak. And, since the damaged shingles are most likely already removed, the leak is half-repaired—sort of.
GLOW LEAK FOR ROOFS AND GUTTERS