Roof Leak Repair: How To Diagnose The Cause Of Leaks

Roof leaks can cause multiple problems for homeowners. They can occur at inopportune moments and, if not dealt with swiftly, can cause a significant amount of damage to the interior of your home in a relatively short space of time. This water damage can then lead to other issues, such as mold and mildew. Before new roof leak repairs can be carried out, you must first ascertain what the cause is.

 

This is not always as simple as you might imagine. Where the leaking roof appears in the home may not actually correspond to where the source of the leak is. There may also be multiple contributing factors to the leak, which makes eliminating it more difficult. Diagnostics and roof leak repairs are often resolved more quickly and effectively if you call in a roofing contractor, but here are some factors for you to consider.

 Optimum Conditions For Investigating Roof Leaks

 Whether you are diagnosing the cause yourself or calling in a professional, it is almost always easier to find the source of a leak when the tile roof is actively leaking. A water stain, without a leak, may give an indication of the general area of the problem, but if there are multiple contributing factors then a stain alone cannot give the full picture.

 Ideally, the diagnosis of the problem should be done during rain or heavy snow. But since the weather cannot be controlled it may be necessary to use a garden hose on the roof to try and recreate the conditions which triggered the leak.

 How To Find The Source Of A Roof Leak

 Start by viewing the leak on the inside of the home, as you must first rule out alternative sources for the leak. You may want to consider the possibility of a HVAC system, plumbing or blocked drain causing the leaky roof. A damp patch may even be caused by condensation rather than a leak, if the ventilation is poor.

 If you are sure that the roof is the source of the leak, go into the attic and try to find the active leak. It can help to measure the position of the water stain in the interior of your home using a fixed point, such as an exterior wall. This measurement can help you find the appropriate search area in the attic. Keep in mind that the stain and source of the leak does not always line up exactly, and expand your search area if you fail to spot the problem.

 Once you have found where water is entering, measure the position of the leak again using a fixed point such as a chimney or vent. Take the search outside, and use this information to find the exterior entry point of the water. Any gaps in the roofing materials can be the source, however small and insignificant the gap might appear. Take the proper safety precautions when examining the roof, and always leave it to a professional if you are not completely confident of performing the examination safely.

 What To Do If You Cannot Find The Leak

 If you cannot find the source of the leak, reconsider the possibility that the water is entering from an alternative source such as an air conditioning leak. You may have no alternative but to call in a roofing contractors Fort Worth Texas if you still cannot find the cause, as the problem risks getting worse if you ignore it. However, you need to keep in mind that the roofing contractor will still need to charge you a call out fee if he determines that the leak was coming from a non-roof related source.

 Carrying Out Roof Repairs

 Once the source of the problem has been found, it is important to carry out Fort Worth roof leak repair as soon as possible. Unresolved roofing problems tend to get worse over time, which can lead to serious damage to your property. If you intend to carry out the rubber roof repairs yourself, research the job thoroughly before you begin. Doing the work yourself can save money, but can cause extra hassle and expense in the long term if done incorrectly. Generally, it is advisable to find a professional roofing contractor to carry out repairs.