Roof leaks come in different forms and can show up anywhere on your roof. Some indications include dark rings on your ceiling, while others will be more obvious, dripping actual water over your head. What factors lead to these?

BAD FLASHING

Flashing is designed to go over joints in roofing material, covering seams to seal gaps and ensure your roof is watertight especially at the sides, ridges and valleys. Because a lot of water runoff... runs on the flashing when it’s raining, even a small gap can allow a lot of water to get past your roof’s outermost layer. When this happens, water will seep into the roofing material, eventually finding its way inside your home to cause moisture-related damage.

ROOF HOLES

Roof holes also come in many forms: gaps caused by missing or warped roof tiles, small openings due to rust or rot, or even a straight-up hole caused by strong impact courtesy of falling objects such as branches, large hailstones, or even the occasional baseball. Sure, most of your roof is intact, but any area with a hole is completely exposed to the elements. To make matters worse, even a small gap might be enough for roof leaks to show up.

PART 1: COMMON CAUSES OF ROOF LEAKS

POOR INSULATION AND VENTILATION

Seeing moisture damage but your roof is completely intact? It’s possible! Poor ventilation and insulation allows water vapor to condense into water droplets in your attic. When that happens, it’s akin to having a small-scale occurring inside your home! Condensation may form slowly but when allowed to persist can lead to moisture damage similar to what having a hole in your roof is capable of.

Unless an inspection is carried out, it’s difficult to tell what is exactly causing your roof to leak. Finding the cause is important because that will guide the next steps you should take toward getting your roof back into shape. To ensure your roof inspection is done right, enlist the aid of a professional roofer.

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You now know the potential causes behind leaks. In Part 2, learn more about the signs of a roof leak to clue you in when to call a professional for help.

PART 1: COMMON CAUSES OF ROOF LEAKS

While it’s best to leave addressing roofing problems to the professionals, this doesn’t mean that there’s completely nothing you can do to help combat roof leaks. In fact, you hold an important role because it’s up to you when a professional roofer comes into the picture. By knowing how to spot leaks, you can call for help as soon as possible, allowing you to keep possible damage to a minimum. So, what can you do?

LOOK AT THE ROOF

A quick walk outside and a brief visual examination of your roof from the ground will show you possible areas where moisture can enter. Worn-out shingles or missing roofing material are tell-tale signs of damage.

CHECK THE GROUND

If you see roofing material on the ground, then it’s safe to say that your roof has spots missing cover. As these spots will be vulnerable, they are likely to be where leaks will originate.

LOOK FOR STREAKS

When it rains, water runoff should be safely channeled down your gutters. Dark streaks running down your wall is a good indication that water is trickling down where it shouldn’t be and it’s not a recent occurrence. These dark streaks can appear on both outdoor and indoor walls so check both the interior and exterior of your home.

PART 2: HOW TO SPOT A ROOF LEAK

LOOK FOR MOLD AND MILDEW

Mold and mildew thrive on moist surfaces. Water buildup caused by leaks isn’t exposed to air (unlike when it’s on the roof’s outermost surface) so it doesn’t dry out. This gives mold and mildew enough time to grow, forming unsightly dark spots on your ceiling and walls.

WATCH OUT FOR RUST RINGS

This sign is similar to mold or mildew spots, but instead of dark rings, rust rings appear reddish or yellowish. Even when you don’t have a metal roof, rust rings can appear because some of the materials used on your roof will be made of metal. Rust develops when metal is exposed to constant moisture so rust rings signify water penetration.

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Knowing how to spot roof leaks is just the start of the battle. Learn why a through inspection is also important in Part 3 of this blog series.

PART 2: HOW TO SPOT A ROOF LEAK

We’ve already shown you how you can spot roof leaks in Part 2 of this blog series so you might be wondering now why we’re talking about getting a professional roof inspection. Do you really have to pay someone to do the work for you when you already know what to look for? The short answer is that a visual inspection is not thorough enough, meaning there could be more to be seen. Letting professionals do an inspection is ideal because:

PROFESSIONALS CAN TRACK THE SOURCE OF LEAKS

When you see dark streaks running down your wall, it’s easy to assume that there’s already a leak in your roof. However, finding out where that leak is isn’t easy. Signs can show up several meters away from the actual leak, especially when it comes to sloped roofs since the water can run along support beams or insulation on its way down. Professionals have the necessary skills and equipment to pinpoint exactly where the problem area is on your roof.

PROFESSIONALS CAN WORK QUICKLY AND SAFELY

Finding the source of roof leaks usually involves going up into the ceiling or attic or on the roof surface itself. Professionals know roofs like the backs of their hand so they know how to navigate their way once they are up there, plus they have the right tools and equipment to inspect roofs effectively and safely. This means an inspection can be carried out as planned, saving you from surprises that normally arise from mistakes being made.

PART 3: WHY GET A PROFESSIONAL INSPECTION?

PROFESSIONAL INSPECTIONS ARE MORE ACCURATE

It’s possible to look at something and mistake it for a sign of a roof leak, if you don’t have enough experience assessing the problem. For example, that dark spot on the ceiling could be nothing more than dust buildup that just needs a little brushing off. On the other hand, some serious signs of leaks can be mistaken for minor problems. That small mold spot on the ceiling? It might just be part of something worse hidden from your view. Professional inspections are thorough so your roofer will be able to give you a more accurate picture of what your roof truly needs.

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This wraps up this three-part blog series on roof leaks. Remember, regular inspections and early fixes are key to keeping your roof leak-free. Get in touch with a professional roofer ASAP to schedule an inspection.

PART 3: WHY GET A PROFESSIONAL INSPECTION?

CMS Roofing

530 Vision Court, Irmo,

South Carolina 29063

(877) 425-4121

CMSofSC.com