Finding A Roof Leak In The Attic

How to water test your roof for leaks.

Finding a roof leak in the attic. Finding water damage on the wall or ceiling is worrying for any homeowner. These fixed points can be perpendicular exterior walls a fireplace chimney or other components that extend through the finished ceiling to the attic space or roof surface. Some roof leaks are tough to locate. Often older homes conceal various pipes and wiring behind it you might end up damaging them in your attempt to enter your attic.

Again practice safety first. One person will be outside the house with a garden hose running water over the roof. Sometimes the water shows up at a ceiling spot distant from the leak. If dry weather prevents you from finding a roof leak spray the roof with water from a garden hose.

Have a helper stationed in the attic with a flashlight looking for moisture. To find the source of a roof leak. Look in the attic with a flashlight for evidence like water stains trhen trace them up the roof and rafters to the entry point. Don t go crazy with the water.

If you can t find the cause of a leak from the attic or by visual inspection on the roof surface wait for dry weather and ask a friend to help you do a water test. Fixing this issue can be less costly than replacing a roof but it should be addressed as soon as possible. Run the water over the place where you think the leak might be located. Water leaks occur through roof failure ice dams and water condensation or frost build up inside an attic.

If your ceiling has a plastic vapor barrier between the drywall and the attic insulation push the insulation aside and look for flow stains on the plastic often water runs to openings in the vapor barrier such as at ceiling light fixtures. Even if the seemingly easiest way to find and trace the path of water coming from a roof leak is via the attic you should never attempt to open up a sealed attic by creating a hole on the ceiling. Here s how it works. If the leak isn t obvious have a helper watch in the attic while you get on the roof with a garden hose.

Find a friend to help with the roof leak test. Be sure to start small. Water found in these places is commonly caused by condensation in the attic. If you don t want to wait for rain to look for the leak try bringing the garden hose up on the roof.

Check for leaks in the spring and fall and keep an eye out for strong storms. Once you have determined that the leak is caused by a roof related issue measure the location of the leak in the living space from two fixed points. Head into the attic to get a good look at the underside of the roof.