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Checking for Roof Leaks
How to Find and Stop Roof Leaks
By Mark J. Donovan
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Roof leaks can occur for a
variety of reasons. Roof leaks typically start out small and over time grow
to be larger problems. This said, even a small roof leak can cause major
damage to your home. Besides, forming wet stain spots on your finished
ceilings, roof leaks can also cause mold and mildew growth and rot. They can
even cause electrical shorts.
Checking for roof leaks can be a little tricky. Roof leaks are typically not
found directly above the damaged ceiling area.
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Roof leaks tend to start higher
on a roof and show their symptoms further down the roof line. So for
example, when you see a roof leak on your ceiling near the interior edge of
your exterior walls the actual roof leak is most likely higher up the roof
line.
Checking for
Roof Leaks due to Ice Dams
In the case where the roof leak
signs are exhibited near the interior edge of your exterior walls, chances
are the leak is associated with cold weather conditions, and more
specifically ice dams.
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Photo by Mark Donovan |
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Ice dams back up water behind
shingles where the water then finds a path through the roof sheathing and
then on to the drywall ceiling. To find the path, the water works its way
down the roof sheathing until it finds a loose nail, or a seam.
To prevent ice dams, either plan on shoveling off the snow along the edges
of the roof after every major snow storm, or adding heating coils along the
edge of the roof. Also, you may want to consider having the roof re-shingled
and installing ice and water shield near the roof eves, prior to installing
shingles. |
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Also, make sure your attic is
properly ventilated and insulated.
Checking for
Roof Leaks due to Damaged Ridge Vent
If signs of a roof leak are
exhibited more towards the center of the room, then there is the possibility
that the roof leak is associated with a damaged ridge vent. In many cases
wind can work ridge venting loose and pop roofing nails loose.
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Check the ridge vent to make sure it is properly fastened down and that the
roofing nails are covered with a roofing sealer.
Also note that water that penetrates into the attic and onto the ceiling can
also meander its way along strapping. Strapping is commonly used to fasten the
drywall ceiling to and is fastened perpendicular to the ceiling joists. If you
see a long wet line on your drywall ceiling this is more than likely due to
water running along a length of strapping.
Check for Roof
Leaks due to Damaged Shingles
Again, if signs of a roof leak are
exhibited more towards the center of the room the roof leak could also be
associated with damaged shingles. Inspect the roof for curling or cupping and
cracked roofing shingles. Roofing shingles that exhibit these types of
appearances could very well be the source of your roof leak and should be
immediately replaced.
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Photo by Mark Donovan |
Check for Roof
Leaks in Roof Valleys
If your roof has valleys make sure
the roof shingles are not damaged in these areas. If copper or tin is used for
forming the roof valleys make sure that it is not damaged in anyway and that
there are no loose or exposed roofing nails. The wrong types of nails used for
installing copper flashing could also cause corrosion which could lead to roof
leaks.
Check for Roof leaks near Roof Flashing Areas
Check roof flashing around and near vent stacks, chimneys and roof / wall lines.
Make sure the roof flashing is not damaged or blocked up in any way with leaf
debris or snow and ice that could cause water to back up and work its way
underneath the flashing. If the roof flashing looks damaged have it replaced
immediately.
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