How To Test Existing Roof For Leakage

How to water test your roof for leaks.

How to test existing roof for leakage.

By gary hedstrom peg hedstrom judy ondrla tremore. Check plumbing vent boots and roof vents if water is entering from that area to cause the leaking roof. Their effects can linger long after the repair has been made in the form of mold growth on the interior surfaces of your home. Finding the actual spot where the roof leaks is difficult because water can enter the roof in one place and run down to another before it starts soaking into the ceiling.

The drainage path of test water on lower areas of roof or walls must be tested to be certain they do not contain the leak location. One person will be outside the house with a garden hose running water over the roof. Again practice safety first. Some roof leaks are tough to locate.

The spray testing is started at the point of lowest elevation below an area of suspected leakage. If your ceiling has a plastic vapor barrier between the drywall and the attic insulation push the insulation aside and look for flow stains on the plastic often water runs to openings in the vapor barrier such as at ceiling light fixtures. How to find a leak in a roof may be the hardest part of fixing a leaky roof. The other person will be inside the attic watching the area for water leaks.

Sometimes the water shows up at a ceiling spot distant from the leak. Roof leaks present multiple challenges for homeowners. You may need to perform a water test. Find a friend to help with the roof leak test.

How to find a roof leak for a free checklist click here.