How To Know If You Have A Roof Leak

Take action against ice damming this winter with our handy guide.

How to know if you have a roof leak.

In order to trace a leak back to its original source it helps to visually see the active leak instead of depending on the remnants of the leak such as staining on the ceiling. If you notice discoloration on your ceiling or walls take a closer look for mold moisture and other telltale signs of a leak. Stains can be used to locate roof leaks but they may not reveal the entire story behind the roof leak. Water will reflect light so bring a flashlight along.

Sometimes it s obvious to see that you have a leaking roof. But it s equally important to fix the roof leak as soon as possible to prevent more damage. Sometimes the roof water leak is more subtle showing up as a very small spot. You may notice water dripping or dark stains start to form on your ceiling.

It s best if you can see the leak as it occurs. You may need to have a professional roofing contractor help diagnose your leak issue. In case you see moisture on the walls drips or moisture stains you might still have a leaking roof. If you have an attic the easiest way to spot the leak is to up there on a rainy day.

More to that even if the leaks seems to go away you need to get the roof checked. Once you locate the source of the water mark the area. That s because there is a high chance that you might have an ice dam. If your roof doesn t have an ice water underlayment installed under the shingles you could be experiencing leaks.

If you see drips moisture on the walls or moisture stains but don t see them often you may still have a leak in your roof.