Roof Leak?
Categories: Home Remodeling and Repair, Home Maintenance, Home Tips
Posted Monday, October 19, 2009 | 12 Views |
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We have a large water stain in our living room ceiling. How do you check for a roof leak?
First of all, what is the slope of your roof? If the slope is over 3 in 12, which means it rises over 3 inches in a horizontal run of 12 inches, it may be too dangerous to walk on the roof and probably would be a good idea to call in a pro.
If it is a low slope roof, go outside and look at the roof directly above the area that has the stain. Do you have roof shingles that have been disturbed by a tree limb or are missing? Look for any type of damage to the shingles. Sometimes the roof may be leaking much higher up the roof, and the water is running down the roof decking and dripping on the ceiling further down the roof. It is advisable to go into the attic during a hard rain and look for water running down the decking. You can also look for wet spots in the attic insulation.
The most common type of roof leak is where a pipe penetrates the roof, and the roof flashing is leaking. Plastic plumbing pipes have rubber boots, and after 10 to 15 years, the rubber seal cracks allowing water to enter. Again, check for wet insulation directly under the pipe in the attic.
Fiberglass asphalt shingles have an average life of 15 years. If your roof is older, it maybe at the end of its normal life span. The older the roof, the more likely it is to start leaking. If you do not trust a roofing contractor to determine the life of your roof, have an independent home inspector take a look at it. They will give you an unbiased option. If you have multiple leaks, that is normally a sign that the roof is at the end of its normal life and probably needs replacing.