In many cases, you won’t notice leaks for a while, as they usually start slow and don’t show any signs until the damage is already done. Inspecting your roof for leaks can benefit you in many ways, but most importantly, it can help you make repairs quickly without having to replace your entire roof. We’d like to help you in knowing the signs of a water leak!
Do you have a water leak stain?
There are a few main signs that will tell you if you have a leak in your roof, the biggest sign being a water stain. A water stain may look like a large puddle on the ceiling and is usually accompanied by a brown-colored ring. However, it may not look like that at all. Some stains are difficult to see as they occur in darker corners, while others are small stains that could be a sign of a much larger leak. If you notice discoloration on your ceiling or walls, this is because your insulation may be saturated, which can cause water to run down into your home and penetrate the walls.
Moisture on the walls?
If you see drips, moisture on the walls, or moisture stains but don’t see them often, you may still have a leak in your roof. Even if that leak seems to have gone away, you should still get it checked. You may have an ice dam caused by the freezing and thawing of melting snow and ice. This thawed water moves under the shingles and then freezes again, causing intermittent leaks. Chronic moisture problems can cause permanent damage.
Signs on the Exterior
You should also look for signs on the outside of your home. Now and then, take a look under your roof line outdoors and check for spots. If there are water spots present you may have trouble where the walls meet the roof, which would means the flashing may need some attention.
Missing shingles, gaps between your shingles, and other structures such as chimneys, and debris in your downspouts could mean there is a problem with your roofing material. A roof with missing shingles or bare areas is more likely to leak over time. Even if you are not experiencing an obvious water leak inside your home, there could still be a slow leak in the attic or crawl space. When you see damage occurring on your roof, ask for an inspection so that you can learn more about the state of your roof and possible water leaks in the future.
While leaks from wind damage may be minimal at first, the problem can grow larger over time resulting in more noticeable and costly damage. If you even suspect wind damage to your home or business roof, contact Avsten Construction for a free inspection.
How to Find the Leak Source
Although it is best to leave a roof inspection to the pros, there are a couple of ways you can try to find the leak source on your own. The easiest step would be to inspect your attic during rainfall. Usually, if you do have a roof leak, you will be able to spot it pretty quickly on a rainy day. Otherwise, there may be another way that water is coming into your home. If your gutters and downspouts are clogged or malfunctioning, rainwater can make its way into the foundation of your home and cause the same type of damage as a leak, if not more. That’s when it’s time to look into replacement gutters!
Avsten Construction of Cincinnati has many options with our gutter installation services. Even if we didn’t install it, we can repair any gutter system. We can also help you come up with replacement plans that meet your budget and will add value to your property. This decision is not only important for functionality but also for value. Think about how much work you want to put into your gutters in the future. After you inspect your roof and gutters, contact a roofing contractor to handle all repairs or to do a more in-depth inspection. Remember that the sooner you repair your leaky roof, the less expensive the repairs will be.