Water frequently enters the house near things that go through the roof.
Water leaking from roof of house.
But it s equally important to fix the roof leak as soon as possible to prevent more damage.
If the roof has been leaking for a while there may be visible signs of long term water intrusion.
Gutters are supposed to direct water away from your roof and into the ground.
Because a bad roof leak will eventually require significant repairs both inside and outside your house.
In addition to potential roof leaks clogged gutters can cause foundation damage exterior wall damage and damage to your yard or landscaping.
Have a helper stationed in the attic with a flashlight.
Some of the water may leak behind the gutters down towards the soffit and the fascia.
A lot of times it s simply locating the problem.
Run the water over the place where you think the leak might be located.
And it doesn t stop there.
These could include mold or mildew growth stained wood or water damaged insulation.
If your ceiling has a plastic vapor barrier between the drywall and the attic insulation push the insulation aside and look for flow stains on the plastic often water runs to openings in the vapor barrier such as at ceiling light fixtures.
This can allow pooling near the edge of your roof and can lead to water leaking into the eave areas of your house and down into your walls.
Sometimes the water shows up at a ceiling spot distant from the leak.
How to stop a leaking roof during heavy rains.
Looking for roof leaks on the outside of your house.
A roof that leaks is a problem in any weather but a roof that suddenly begins to leak during a heavy rainstorm can quickly turn into an emergency.
If you don t want to wait for rain to look for the leak try bringing the garden hose up on the roof.
Be sure to start small.
Sometimes the roof water leak is more subtle showing up as a very small spot.
Sure it s easy enough to spot water stains on the ceiling or mold growth sure signs of a leak.
To determine if the leak is coming from defective plumbing turn off all faucets and appliances that use water in your home and write down the number on the water meter.
Locating the exact source can be tricky because visible signs of a leak on the inside might be several feet away from either to the left right or below the actual source.
If the gutter is clogged some of that water will back up on the roof soaking it.
Especially during heavy rain.
Don t go crazy with the water.
If the amount of water used increases that s a good sign the leak is coming from indoor plumbing.
Projections or penetrations such as vents dormers and chimneys are frequent places for leaks.
