How Homeowners Can Spot Roof Leaks

Your roof is designed to protect your home, but there are a lot of things that could potentially go wrong up there. If you don’t know how to spot the possible signs of damage on your roofing in Sandy Springs GA, or the nearby area, you could end up with significant issues that require a lot of work (such as mold and mildew growth, rotted wood, and damage to the roof sheathing) or even a full roof replacement. Fortunately, if you catch roof damage early enough, you can often get it repaired by a local Atlanta roofing contractor and your roof will continue to protect your home for many years to come.

Know the Signs

Signs of a roof leak can vary depending on the severity and location, but some of the most common signs you will see include:

Dripping water
Light coming through the shingles in the attic
Black streaks of mold and mildew on the rafters
Wet insulation or rusted nails in the attic
Damaged, bubbling, or blistering shingles

Find the Source from Underneath

Many people think about checking for roof leaks by looking at the roof, but unless you have the skilled eyes of a roofing contractor, you might not be able to see roof leaks from up top. Instead, check under the roofing structure in your attic.

If you do suspect a leak, you can check the attic during a rainstorm to see if there is water actively getting inside, or you can have someone grab a hose and spray the roof if it’s not raining. You can also go up during a sunny day to see if you can see light coming through the shingles.

Check “Uphill”

When you spot the signs of a roof leak, such as damaged shingles, mold, or wet insulation, chances are that is not the source of the leak. You will nee to track it down by looking at the roofing area “uphill” from the damage. Since openings roof —things like the chimney, vents, and skylights, are the most likely place where water gets in, see if you have any of these in the vicinity.

Small roof leaks can be fixed with some simple repairs, but if your leaks have been there for a while or they are extensive, you may need the help of an Atlanta roofing contractor, like ImproveIT! of Atlanta, for significant repairs or roof replacement. Give us a call today to learn more!

Rodney Finglass