Out of the blue, you’re seeing signs of a leak in your roof. Finding the source is a lot like solving a mystery. The reason is simple: water doesn’t always take a straight path downward. It often winds its way along different surfaces before leaving a stain or puddle. Fortunately, you don’t need a detective badge to get your roof leak solved. Here’s what to do.

Pay a Visit to the Attic

Since the roof is right above the attic, it’s the logical place to hunt down evidence of a leak. The best time to identify the culprit(s) is immediately after a heavy rain. Take precautions to avoid hazards and injuries, and go prepared.

• Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and sturdy footwear.
• Wear a respirator to avoid inhaling insulation particles, mold spores or pest droppings.
• Arm yourself with a flashlight. Take a camera too so you record any clues you find.

Learn how to be a Leak Sleuth

Once you’re in the attic, turn on any lights. Be careful to not fall through your ceiling – step only on the wooden beams beneath your feet. Shine the flashlight beam on the underside of the roof sheathing and framing members. Look for dark spots, wet patches, and water drips. Next, gaze down to check for wet or moldy attic floor insulation. Finally, turn off the lights and look up again for pinpoints of daylight on the sheathing.

Check for Outdoor Clues

Head outdoors to do a perimeter check for circumstantial evidence of roof leaks. At ground level, look for piles of shingle granules by your gutter downspouts. Then, use binoculars to size up the roof for common suspects like:

• Broken/curled or missing shingles
• Patches of visible underlayment
• Areas of damaged/missing flashing

Never Climb onto the Roof

Your roof is a dangerous place, especially after a rain. This makes it wiser to do your sleuthing from ground level. Let a certified roof tech tackle a rooftop inspection. Qualified roofers have the know-how to safely access different areas of your roof.

Call in a Proven Leak Detective

Experienced roofers use high-tech leak detection tools, like infrared cameras and moisture meters. Their observant eyes can also recognize subtle leak perpetrators you might miss, like:

• Punctured valley flashing
• Loose nails
• Unsealed gaps around vents
• Roof design flaws
• Premature material degradation

If you need reliable roof leak detection services, contact us today at Echols Home Improvements. We’re proud to be your safest choice for solving roof leaks in the Atlanta area.

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