How Do I Know If My Roof Is Leaking? | My Roof is Leaking | What Should I Do Next?
Fall in the Puget Sound region is wet and windy. In fact, the wettest months of the year are usually November and December with October setting records for precipitation in recent years. All those storms can cause damage to your roof, leading to the dreaded phrase no homeowner ever wants to utter, “My roof is leaking!” We put together this helpful guide to help you identify if your roof is leaking and what you can do when a roof leak does happen. How do I know if my roof is leaking? Some roof leaks can be quite obvious while others are more subtle. There are a few signs to look out for that indicate your roof may be leaking.
- Water spots on your ceiling
- Bubbling paint on interior walls or ceiling during rain
- Dripping sounds during stormy weather
- Signs of water stains on roof sheathing or rafters inside your attic
- Wet insulation inside your attic
- Loose or missing shingles on your roof
- Buckling or sagging roof deck (can indicate water damage)
- Cracked or damage roof flashing or accessories such as a bathroom vent
- Mold on the drywall or musty smell inside the home or attic
Contain the Leak Finding the origin of a roof leak may be difficult because water tends to travel to the lowest spot before soaking into the ceiling, wall, or floor. If you have attic access this is usually the best place to identify the location of a roof leak. Using the rain to your advantage, take a flashlight into your attic and look for areas that reflect the light, indicating moisture. You can also look for darker areas on the underside of the roof, or areas on the attic floor that are darker than the rest of the sheeting. Identify areas of insulation that are wet or damp. Once a potential leak area has been identified it is important to stop the roof leak from causing more damage by containing the leak. This is a great time to bust out those extra buckets, big pots collecting dust, or plastic totes you bought to organize but never used. Place one under the leak to catch any water that may drip. It might be great to place one near any wet location you found on the floor. We mentioned before that water likes to travel!
Check-in with your HO Insurance Agent Now that you know your roof is leaking and have the leak contained it is time to check in with your Insurance Agent. Your agent can tell you what may or may not be covered and at the very least this incident will be on their radar if you uncover extensive damages.
Call a Pro (Seriously, Don’t DIY Your Roof) It is important to repair any roof leak as soon as possible to prevent more damage. Inevitably, roof leaks will lead to more damage and expenses can add up quickly. A leaking roof can lead to damaged drywall, bubbling paint, rotting wood such as trusses, roof sheeting, and even mold in the attic and home. A professional roofing contractor will help you find the best resolution when it comes to stopping your roof leak for good. Valentine Roofing offers our Leak Stop Guarantee. We will come out and stop your OLD roof from leaking, for FREE, before your NEW roof can safely be installed. You have more to worry about than your roof leaking.
PREVENT FUTURE ROOF LEAKS | What to look for BEFORE a leak
Annual Roof Maintenance performed by a licensed roofing contractor will ensure that your roof remains in tip-top shape year after year. Roof maintenance will remove debris from your roof allowing water to flow freely away from the oof and to the ground below. Decaying debris invites bacteria and algae to grow which will cause damage to your roof shingles. This will prevent water from finding the “weak spots” on your roof where water is more likely to penetrate. Maintenance is more than just a roof cleaning. It is a roof inspection to identify potential concerns and evaluate the remaining life of the roofing material.
There are signs that your roof has reached the end of its useful life. Keep an eye out for the 6 major signs that it is time to replace your roof and stop your roof from leaking before it ever starts!
- An active roof leak
- Granules in the gutters or below downspouts
- Missing or damaged roof shingles
- Cracked or worn roof flashings and accessories
- Sagging or buckling roof deck
- TIME- The Northwest roof is replaced between 17 and 22 years.
If your roof is leaking call your local Valentine Roofing for more information about our Leak Stop Guarantee or to schedule your free estimate.
Get three bids, just make sure one of them is Valentine Roofing®
