My Roof Has A Small Leak

Have a helper stationed in the attic with a flashlight looking for moisture.

My roof has a small leak.

Don t go crazy with the water. Even over a short time small leaks can lead to big problems such as mold rotted framing and sheathing destroyed insulation and damaged ceilings. Something that starts as a small problem a roof leak can lead to big damage and even bigger headaches. 14 ways to cover a hideous ceiling.

Both danger and the probability of structural erosion increase if unaddressed. If you don t want to wait for rain to look for the leak try bringing the garden hose up on the roof. If your roof is fewer than 15 years old it can probably be spot repaired instead of requiring a total replacement. If you have a leaky roof you d better fix it immediately even if it doesn t bother you much or you re getting a new roof next year.

Other sources of potential leaks in the home include plumbing roof scuppers roof drains hvac and condensation. Be sure to start small. And just one rusted out nail can cause your roof to leak every time it rains. If you have a leaky roof you d better fix it immediately even if it doesn t bother you much or you re getting a new roof next year.

Check plumbing vent boots and roof vents if water is entering from that area to cause the leaking roof. Just remember that a small leak will not go away it will only get worse. The rubber gasket that surrounds the vent pipe could be rotted. If shingles get lifted or torn from high winds the damaged shingle exposes nails holding the shingle below it.

So let s look at the ten of the most common culprits in causing your roof to leak and what you can and should do about them other than recruiting a bucket brigade. It can cause water damage to your ceilings and walls mold in your home s insulation or rotting rafters and roof sheathing. A roof leak is extremely aggravating. Run the water over the place where you think the leak might be located.

If the leaking appears to be caused by ice buildup on the edges of the roof this likely will need to be handled by a professional ice removal crew. Roof leaks can ruin insulation become a breeding ground for black mold damage interior ceilings and walls and rot the wooden framing. Look for cracks in the base of flexible rubber flashing or broken seams in metal varieties of vent pipe flashing. Roof leaks are typically just signs of a much larger problem.

Ice dams are generally fixed by a crew that uses steam to melt away the ice buildup allowing melting snow to drain off the roof rather than back up under shingles. These nails will eventually rust.