Roof leaks can be pretty concerning and when spotted they require your immediate attention. But a roof leak is not always seen as water cascading down from your ceiling like waterfall nor are there always super obvious signs, like a drenched carpet. Sometimes roof leaks start small and show indications or signs, before they get to the water pouring from your ceiling stage.
Here in this article we’ll discuss 5 signs that you may have a roof leak. Some will be more obvious, some not so obvious. When you spot a roof leak, whether you are sure it’s a leak or not, it is important that you take quick actions to remedy it and that you call a professional roofer to get it repaired as soon as possible. Also see article, What Should I Do If My Roof Is Leaking?
Water Stains
Often small roof leaks cause water stains on your ceiling or your walls. Water stains usually look like a circular discoloration, usually brown, or a discolored ring. They can be big or small. Some water stains can be harder to detect if they are against darker colored ceilings or in a corner or in an area of the room that is not well lit. Water stains can also look like mold or moisture build up.
Drips
Obviously a flow of constant drips from your ceiling is a sign that your roof is leaking. But sometimes they can be far less obvious. For example dew build up on your wall close to the ceiling or on the ceiling itself. Dew build up or small droplets of water can be caused by water build up in the ceiling and can be signs of a small roof leak, but a roof leak none-the-less. Even if the drips disappear, you should still call a professional roofer to have it checked out. Chances are, you can still catch the leak early in it’s stages and prevent it from becoming a full on leak and needing to pay for more extensive roof repairs.
Spots On Your Exterior Walls
The exterior walls of your house are prone to a lot of elements. However, water leaking or water stains down your exterior walls that look like they are coming from where the roof meets the exterior wall can be signs of a roof leak.
Also water stains or rust built up on your exterior walls, just under your roof can be a sign of roof leaks. When you spot these, take a closer look to see if you can see what is causing the stains and if you have any concerns about it being a roof leak call a professional roofer to have this checked out.
Exterior Walls Are Moldy
Mossy green or black build up on your exterior walls especially near your drain can also be a sign that your drains are not working properly, which in turn can cause leaks. If you have growth on your walls in a non-sunny spot this could also be caused by an actual roof leak. If you see signs of this, clean the walls, the gutters and the drains to see if this resolves it. If not, call a professional roofer to have the issue checked into more thoroughly.
Obvious Roof Damage
If you see obvious roof damage such as missing shingles, this is a sign of an imminent roof leak or that you will have a roof leak if the damage is not fixed. But sometimes the damage is not so obvious. For example, if you see a lot of shingle debris in your gutters or where the drain pipe lands, this could be a sign that your roof is wearing down and can be prone to leaking. If you see missing shingles, be sure to check for any signs of a leak in the attic or in the ceiling below where you found the missing shingles. Where you see any signs of roof damage, call a professional roofer to have it fixed before it turns into a roof leak.
While these are five examples of how you can spot leaks in your roof, there may be other indicators as well. Anytime that you see anything that makes you think you may have a leak in your roof, call a professional roofer to have it checked out. Oftentimes you can catch the leak well in its early stages and avoid the need to call for emergency roofing services when your roof is seriously leaking.
Your roof is a very important part of your home as well as one of the most expensive parts of your home. Taking the time to understand it and taking good care of it will go a long way in ensuring your roof provides your home with the protection you need when you need it most.