Roof Leak On Main Level

Go into your attic and locate the source of the leak on the underside of the roof deck using the measurements taken from your home s living space.

Roof leak on main level.

Look for discoloration on ceiling tiles or drywall. Other materials such as slate concrete tile or clay tile may not be so forgiving. Start low soaking the area just above where the leak appears in the house. Debris like leaves pine needles or twigs can trap water against the roof.

Determine if there is a roof leak. A plumbing vent pipe is a common culprit for leaks. These nails will eventually rust. Normally rain runs right off the roof and into the gutters directing water away from the home.

Make sure you keep the roof clear so water will spill over it fast. Recaulk the corner flashing if any areas have hardened caulk. Sometimes the sheer volume of rainfall leads to your sporadic roof leak. For example soak the downhill side of a chimney first then each side then the top on both sides.

If your roof is asphalt then you can walk around with ease. Head to the attic with a flashlight the next time it rains and trace a wet trickle to its highest point to determine. Let s examine a few common causes of leaks so you can keep an eye on your roof. Often the rubber boot on the vent will be worn or torn the metal plastic base will have a crack or broken seam or a few nails will be loose or missing.

If a leak is difficult to find enlist a helper and go up on the roof with a garden hose. If any of these issues are present water will be able to enter your roof along the pipe. And just one rusted out nail can cause your roof to leak every time it rains. However during heavy rainfall your gutters might not be able to keep up.

Roof nail leaks can happen when roof nails have been loosened slightly from high winds or have simply pulled out over time. How to trace a leak in the ceiling 1. Look for wet moist and rotting wood in crawl spaces around. This means the expanse of shingles slate shakes whatever.

Look for mold or mildew in attics or on walls. Check the cabinet. If your roof is older it is possible that the leak is within the roof field. Isolate areas when you run the hose.

Dig out any cracked or dry caulking that isn t properly sealing adjoining surfaces and replace with silicone caulk. The water can seep into the roof. Replace any missing or rotted siding above the step flashing on dormers.