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Signs of Water Damage in Your Attic
Ryker Bingham | Oct 18, 2021
Having water leak into your attic and cause damage is a nightmare no homeowner wants to endure. But, if left unchecked, you could face high repair bills and health problems. So what are some signs of water damage in your attic?
There are several signs that your home’s attic may have water damage. Musty odors, watermarks, and wet walls and ceilings are all indicators. However, to fully prepare yourself for battle, you need to know what causes water to leak into your home and how to prevent it.
Before you throw in the towel, continue reading to learn more about how to spot water damage in your attic and prevent it from getting any worse.
Different Causes of Attic Leaks
Finding water damage in your attic can be frustrating. There are a few possible spots for water to leak into that area. As the attic is not an often visited space, unless it's finished, leaks can go undetected for months. Some of the most common causes of leaks come from:
- Condensation Line Issues
- Pipe Leaks
- Roof Damage
While warning signs may indicate problems from multiple sources, there are different causes for the issues. As such, they will be addressed accordingly.
Condensation Line Problem Warning Signs
The condensation line is an essential part of your air conditioning system. It is necessary to help cool your home adequately. In addition, the line offers a means of draining the moisture captured from the evaporator away from your system.
- Musty Odors: If you don’t open your attic regularly, you'll smell musty odors when you first enter the room. However, if it's a persistent smell, there may be a problem.
- Water Marks and Buckling on Ceiling: Watermarks on your attic ceiling are a tell-tell sign that there has been more than a slight splash of water in the area. This is one of the first indications that there is a leaking problem that should not be ignored.
- Excessive Humidity: You may feel that your attic is always hot and humid because of the area where you live. If the humidity in your attic feels higher than expected, there could be a condensation line issue.
- Dampness on Walls and Floor: As with watermarks on the ceiling, another sign of condensation line issues is dampness on the floors and walls. This dampness may look more like humidity condensation than a leak, but you shouldn’t ignore it.
What Causes Condensation Line Leaks
The most common reason for a condensation line leak is clogging. The clog could be ice formed in the line or microbes and algae that have grown over time. It causes the moisture in the line to back up, blocking the water from entering the exit pipe. Eventually, this backflow will cause damage to the walls, floors, and ceilings of your home.
How to Prevent Condensation Line Leaks
According to Angi.com, the best method for preventing condensation line problems is to have your air conditioning system serviced every year. Seasonal servicing not only helps to ensure the unit works correctly but allows the technician to blow out your condensation line, preventing leaks from occurring.
Pipe Leak Warning Signs
Most of your home’s pipes won’t run through the attic. Leaky pipes are known to be issues in the living areas of homes, not attics, right? Actually, it is not uncommon to find water lines running through the attic, especially if the structure is built on a slab. The warning signs of damage to the pipes include:
- Water stains on the floor: Warping or buckling floors always indicate prolonged exposure to water. However, an indicator of a leak can also be blotchy brown or dark gray stains.
- Corroded Attic Pipes: You might notice some of the pipes in your attic are beginning to rust and corrode. This is an indication of how water is getting inside.
What Causes Pipe Leaks
There are a few reasons why the pipes in your attic might leak. A significant culprit is clogging. The clogs could be caused by microbial build-up, hair, dirt, or even food inside the waterline. As the clog builds, it can cause the pipe walls to weaken and crack or water leak from the joints.
Leaks can also be caused by the pipes aging and beginning to crack and corrode due to normal wear & tear. However, as most attic pipes are not metal and may be covered with insulation, finding cracks is oftentimes difficult.
How to Prevent Pipe Leaks
According to Thisoldhouse.com, you should inspect your pipes regularly. For example, if you feel moisture at the joints, tighten or reseal the pipes to keep them from leaking. You should also check if the lines are cracked, rusted, or corroded and replace any damaged ones.
Roof Damage
Roof damage is an all too common problem that can go unnoticed if the damage isn’t substantial. Small holes or even a missing shingle in a difficult-to-see spot can be there for months, even years before discovered. Indications of problems with your roof include:
- Mold: Mold grows in damp, dark spaces. When there are no apparent signs of the mold’s source, roof damage is possible.
- Dampness on Walls Near Gutters: With gutters that run along the roof, you may notice signs of water leaking on the walls near the gutters. If water is coming inside the attic near the gutters’ location, it's a surefire sign of a problem.
- Discolored Ceiling: Water can get into your attic from damaged roofing shingles or flashing. If the ceiling becomes discolored, it's time to check for leaks.
What Causes Roof Leaks?
There are multiple ways water can get into your home from the roof. Seams on the roof are a particular weak point. Over time, sealing can delaminate and become an entry point for water. Severe weather such as high winds, lightning, tornadoes, and hurricanes can cause substantial damage to your roof. Time and neglect can also cause the decking and shingles to wear out and result in leaks.
Gutters are an excellent way to move the rainwater away from your home. However, if they are not properly maintained, the water cannot drain out of the downspouts and will leak into your home, including your attic.
How to Prevent Roof Leaks?
You should routinely inspect the roof periodically and after every severe storm. Most roofs are built to last 20 years or more if properly maintained. You can also have a roofing company install ridge cap shingles, roof deck protection, and waterproof barriers at leak-prone areas.
You should also clean your gutters seasonally to ensure there are no clogs. Suppose you don’t already have a leaf shield. In that case, consider installing one on your existing gutters to help reduce maintenance time.
Conclusion
While there are many ways water can get into your attic, the most common is because of condensation line issues, pipe leaks, and roof leaks. Proper inspection and maintenance can keep these items from becoming a problem.