HOW TO FIND THE LEAK IN YOUR ROOF

There is an African saying that goes if you ignore a crack you end up rebuilding the whole wall. This is to say that even if you think the leak on the roof is too small, repair it anyway. Many slam ignored leaks end up causing mold to grow on the insulations and causes the sheath and rafters to rot.

If you notice patched stains on the ceiling that are most often round. Some may travel down the wall. If you say any of these two signs it is time to take a keen look at your roof and identify the exact place that is leaking before it worsens.

Finding the location of the leak

  1. Remove the shingles and look for any penetrations.

 If you have a case of running water, remember that will not indicate where the leak is from. Most leaks come from chimneys, vents and most projects that go through the roof. If you have an attic or a vaulted ceiling the best thing to do is go up there with a flash light and check for stains and mold.

If the water leaking is trickling down go up the ceiling orartic with a hose and have someone check for the trickle from inside the room. Be patient this may take a while as you will have to pour water in sections. The person inside will yell if they see a trickle and then you will know you are within the radius of the leak.

How to fix the leak

  1. For small leaks

If the leak is small in that you cannot find a place where the water is coming from, it is probably the nails on the roof. When it is cold air from the floor condenses on the nails making them frosted. When it becomes hot, the frosts melt causing patches on the roof. All one needs to do for this kind of leak is to clip the nail so water does not drip any more.

  1. Projects that go through the roof

Vents and chimneys that go through the roof check for broken plastic bases or seamed metal bases. The rubber boot too could be rotten. As a waterproof specialist, once you’ve noticed any of these signs, you will have to replace the boot of the nails that have been pulled free or loosened.

  1. Huge water dripping leaks

If the water is actually dripping from the roof, you may need to replace either part or the entire roof. This leaks are common in old buildings or buildings where the roof was made hurriedly and using very cheap material. In these two cases you may have to replace the entire roof lest you risk the recurrence of a similar problem in some other part of your home.

Best roofing products

  1. Slate- ensure your roof has a longevity of more than 100 years
  2. Spanish tiles- they giveyou a longevity of 100 years and still look goo even when old
  3. Composite shingle- give you a guaranteed longevity of between 20- 50 years
  4. Asphalt roll- gives you a longevity of just 10 years

Do not look for wooden roofing materials they will not last long especially in rainy areas.

Related Posts