A leaky roof can be destructive. But what if you can’t find the source right away? With the interior of your home, business, garage, barn, or other area exposed to the elements, severe weather, debris, and other waste can quickly make its way inside your space and cause further destruction. Thankfully, there are some helpful tips you can follow when you need to quickly detect the source of a roof leak.
This article outlines how you can find and repair a roof leak, when to contact SERVPRO®, and tells you about our roof tarping process.
Why Does a Roof Leak?
While a roof can leak for a variety of reasons, it is mostly due to age and material. Sometimes, a severe storm and high winds can contribute to the deterioration of a roof, causing it to leak. Winter weather can also cause an ice dam on your roof or sitting water which also causes a leak.
Common causes of roof leaks include faulty roof vents and damaged plywood roof decking (also known as sheathing).
How to Find a Roof Leak
While the type of roof can affect your ability to find leaks efficiently (flat roofing or roofing with low pitches in particular), SERVPRO offers the following tips to find a roof leak:
- Remove shingles and inspect sheathing in the affected area (if the leak isn’t readily visible).
- Note: plywood easily absorbs moisture.
- Consider soaking the roof with a water hose, then stand inside the property and listen for dripping or visible leaking.
- Work from one side to the other in a uniform fashion, starting at the bottom of the roof and working upward.
- If the weather is favorable, safely climb onto the roof and look for damaged or missing shingles, torn flashing, structural damage after a storm, or improperly installed sections.
- Go back inside and try to locate the stain or water damage on the ceiling.
- This may involve tearing out drywall to investigate if you locate something.
- If the leak’s in your home and your attic is accessible, use it to examine the rafters, attic floor, damaged sheathing, and stains. Look for “flow lines.”
Keep in mind that the source of the leak can be some distance from where you find evidence of water getting in. Thanks to gravity, the source of the leak is almost always higher up than the drip.
How to Repair a Roof Leak
While not all-inclusive, researchers at Forbes recommend the following tips to repair a leaky roof:
- If possible, ensure it is dry and warm out when fixing the roof leak
- Spring, summer, or even early fall are ideal times
- If possible, have an assistant with you so you aren’t alone
- Wear boots with soft soles
- Wear a breathing mask, and utilize hearing and eye protection
- Use a Personal Fall Arrest System as recommended by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration
- Remove twigs, branches, and other debris from the affected area before beginning work
Forbes’s step-by-step guide to roof repair includes the following:
- Find the roof leak
- Inspect roof ventilation systems
- Remove roof ventilation systems that may be damaged
- Replace damaged roof ventilation systems
- Remove older roof shingles
- Remove older roofing paper
- Mark the area where you will cut the deck
- Cut damaged roof deck away
- Discard damaged roof deck
- Cut out a patch of new roof deck
- Attach new patch
- Lay underlayment or paper in appropriate spot
- Lay the first row of undershingles
- Finish the shingles
SERVPRO’s Roof Tarping Service
SERVPRO technicians follow a six-step process for tarping your roof:
- Evaluate the area before roof tarping occurs, checking for any hazards such as downed electrical lines
- Perform a needs analysis to confirm necessary equipment and materials for the job
- Remove debris from the area
- Measure the area requiring roof tarping
- Complete board-up and roof tarping, ensuring technicians are cautious and avoid additional damage requiring repair
- Evaluate the interior and recommend possible construction or other restoration needs if necessary
SERVPRO is Available Year-Round
No matter when it happens, a leaky roof is an interruption in your life. Whether it is a weekend, holiday, or 3 in the morning, SERVPRO is ready to make it “Like it never even happened.”