Most homeowners think a roof leak would be easy to find, unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
The smallest of leaks will eventually develop into a much bigger problem. Knowing where to look for signs of a roof leak is something every homeowner should know. Follow along as we go over 5 ways to determine you have a roof leak.
5 Signs Of A Roof Leak In Your Home
1. Water Stains or Peeling Paint on Ceilings
A tell-tale sign that water is getting into your home are stains on the ceilings. They’re fairly easy to spot, especially if they’re given the time to get big enough. But, if you suspect your roof is leaking, you’ll want to check your ceilings as quickly as possible. Water on your sheetrock could cause it to collapse at some point.
Another effect that water can have on ceilings is peeling the paint away from the sheetrock. If your paint is bubbling or peeling, then there’s probably water affecting it.
2. Spots on Exterior Walls
Exterior walls can develop similar water stains and spots like your ceilings. Water can affect your interior walls and the exterior, but in most cases, exterior walls will be the first to show that water is coming in. One way to keep water from coming in during the winter is by checking to ensure that your attic is insulated and vented properly. Without the right insulation and ventilation, condensation can build up and work its way down the trusses in the attic to the ceiling and the walls.
If you’re unsure how to check the insulation in your attic, be sure to reach out to a local contractor as quickly as possible. There are a lot of variables associated with insulating an attic.
3. Walls Growing and Changing Shape
Walls growing or changing shape from water and exposure to moisture often mean that you have a much deeper problem. When water damage like this is found, it’s likely that there’s been water pouring into these different areas of your house for years on end. Sometimes a leak is so severe that it can do it more quickly than that, but in many cases growing and changing shape are changes that take time for your walls to develop. If you suspect your walls to be growing at all, they’ll need to be looked at immediately.
Growing walls are caused by moisture building up and causing the wood and sheetrock to expand due to the moisture soaking into the wood. If this problem persists for too long, you may need to renovate your home to fix the damage and remove any mold or mildew.
4. Missing Shingles in Your Gutters and Downspouts
Missing shingles on your roof is one of the earliest signs of a leak. If you don’t already have water inside your house, but you suspect there to be a leak, you can check your roof for missing shingles. It’s always a good idea to head outside after a big storm to see if there might be any shingles laying in the yard that could’ve gotten blown off of your roof as well.
There are a few other places that you can check for missing shingles if you don’t see them in your yard or notice them missing from your roof. Inspect your gutters and downspouts as they may have some pieces of broken or damaged shingles. You can additionally check for granules in these areas. Granules are the small sandpaper-like substance that covers the tops of your asphalt shingles and protects them from the sun and precipitation. Without granules, your shingles will wear and weaken quickly.
5. Damaged Vent Boots and Vents
Severe storms that bring hail and driving winds can wreak havoc on more than just your shingles. It’s important to inspect your vents and vent boots to ensure that there is still a good seal on them. Sometimes these seals will break due to storms, and other times they’ll simply grow old and damaged from the sunlight that hits them every day.
If you’re having your roof replaced, ensure that these items are being fixed or replaced as well. The last thing you need is a new roof with old vents.
Don’t Hesitate To Call A Professional When Your Roof Is Leaking!
If you think your roof is leaking, reach out to Red Canyon Roofing today! We’d love to come out and offer a free inspection along with an estimate to fix your roof. Not every roof that’s leaking will need to be totally replaced. In fact, many repairs can be done in a very quick and cost-effective manner. Be sure to reach out to us for all your roofing needs.
