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5 Indications of a Leaky Roof
Ryker Bingham | Dec 03, 2021
Having a leaky roof is a fairly common problem for any homeowner, but its presence often precedes a bigger disaster: water damage. What starts as a simple incessant dripping can end with costly repairs, which is why you must be diligent in watching out for leaks.
Spotting a leak on your roof requires a bit of effort, but by knowing the basic signs to watch out for, then you’re sure to find it before it gets worse. The most obvious indicators are ceiling and wall discolorations, rusted and old roof sections, missing or broken shingles, shiners, and holes in the attic.
To find out more about leaky roofs, keep reading below!
The Obvious Signs of a Leaky Roof
The easiest way to know that you have a leaky roof is to watch out for water dripping into your home—but that’s a sign that it’s already too late! By then, water has already been seeping throughout your roof or even flooding your home, meaning that the potential for substantial water damage is great.
To avoid that situation, keep an eye out for these five indicators:
1. Ceiling and Wall Discoloration
Discolorations can be the result of numerous things, the chief of which is the presence of water. Water spots are stains caused by minerals in the water. These simply indicate that a pool of liquid has seeped into the surface, which could be attributed to a leak.
Worse still would be discoloration brought about by mold, a fungus that grows due to the presence of dirt and water. Keep an eye out for black, powdery white, or green marks on your ceilings & walls. A mold infestation won’t just ruin your house and furniture, but it could also cause numerous health concerns for you and your family.
2. Old or Rusted Sections of The Roof
Your roof, just like any part of your home, is prone to wear and tear—and according to FamilyHandyman.com, the most vulnerable sections of it are where items can "penetrate." Plumbing and drainage systems, roof vents, chimneys, and dormers are chief among them. When these parts age and/or rust, they become the weak spots that pooling water can penetrate through.
3. Missing or Broken Shingles
Roof shingles are designed to seal your roof from environmental hazards. As such, if there are any flaws in the design, no matter how minor, it could open up your roof to potential problems. While one may think that one missing or broken shingle is no big deal, it becomes a chink in your roof’s armor that allows water to seep through.
4. Shiners
Shiners are roofing nails that either missed the framing member or have over penetrated your roof deck. These nails gather condensation from moisture that escapes to your attic. When it gets colder, the condensation freezes up, causing it to glisten—thus the name “shiner.”
When the frosted nails heat up, it starts dripping water back down to your attic, which can cause water damage when left alone.
5. Holes in The Attic
Holes in the attic are self-explanatory—they bring water from the outdoors directly into your home. More often than not, these are caused by the impact of falling debris or by construction mishaps.
Why Do Roofs Leak?
All parts of your home are built to be tough and withstand potential damage, but this is especially crucial with your roofing system. As expertly explained in Martha Stewart’s blog, it’s designed to transport water away from your home, meaning that a leak doesn’t just happen out of nowhere. When it does, then there’s usually something disrupting the system from performing properly.
More often than not, a leak is simply due to a lack of maintenance, where a rubber seal has dried and cracked, or a missing shingle has gone unnoticed. Blockages in the downspouts and gutters can also cause water to pool and seep into your home. Heavy wind and rain are additional culprits, as they can cause random debris to fall on your roof & leave a hole in it.
To avoid any problems, seasonal inspections should be done. That way, proper maintenance, and cleaning can be performed to clear out blockages and cover up any holes, especially before any storms pass through your area.
What Should You Do When Your Roof Has a Leak?
Most blogs would recommend handling roof leaks through a DIY solution—but this is not usually a good recommendation. While there are many things a homeowner can do to resolve a leak, most of the solutions are temporary, and if the job isn’t done properly, it may end up doing more damage in the long run.
To avoid any future issues and potential hassles, do your research and choose a professional to come over and have the damage inspected immediately! He or she will be able to recommend actionable and affordable solutions to address the leak and ensure that it won’t return.
How Often Should a Roof Be Inspected?
Periodically, whether that's monthly or after a severe storm passes through, do a visual inspection of your roof & look for damage. However, a cursory look by an untrained eye can only reveal so much, which is why it’s best to have a professional inspect your roof at least twice a year.
Spring & fall are the perfect times to schedule a professional inspection. During these seasons, the weather is a bit more predictable and dry, and the professionals can handle the inspections safely.
The Bottom Line
Roof leaks have the capacity to cause a lot of damage, but they often get worse if unnoticed. By simply keeping an eye out for the most basic signs, you can get ahead of the problem, know how it should be handled, and ultimately avoid costly water damage to your home.