A solid, well-built roof that has durable gutters protects any property from rain, snow, and wind. Maintaining your roof and gutters is a daunting task, but it’s an essential one for them to function properly. Here are five useful tips for dealing with roof and gutter leaks.
How to Spot Leaks
The easiest way to spot a leaky roof is water stains that run down the walls or go through the ceiling. There’s often a lot of trial and error that goes into finding the leak, but it needs to be fixed as soon as possible.
Even a small leak can cause big problems like rotting frames, sheathing, and mold forming. A leaky roof or leaking gutters can destroy insulation or damage ceilings. This leads to a more expensive repair bill further down the line.
Finding Roof Leaks
Tracking a leak down requires persistence. Look for stains and look at openings above them. Things like plumbing, chimneys, roof vents, or other openings should be checked. Shingles and open areas are rarely the cause of a leak. The leak itself can be some distance from the stain, so check close and far.
Those who have attic access can track down leaks more easily because they can get a light source and start looking for signs like black marks, mold, or water stains. On the other hand, difficult access to the attic or a vaulted ceiling can be more problematic because the leak has to be located by examining the top of the roof.
Locating Hidden Leaks
If you’ve got a leak that’s difficult to find, get someone to help you. One of you should go on the roof and start to wet down the area right above where the leak appears. The helper stays inside and checks to see if there’s any dripping. If there isn’t after a few minutes, move the hose a little further up.
When an area seems like it could be where the leak is, start removing shingles to see where the leak is leaving marks. This should be easy to spot and will lead to the source.
Locating Small Leaks
Small leaks are also hard to spot. If there’s a plastic vapor barrier between the drywall and insulation, removing the insulation is a good way to look for stains.
If no marks or stains are visible, check the underside of the roof for nails that missed the framing. Those nails get cold and allow water to condense, which later drips down, causing a leak. Clipping the nail is a good way to resolve that problem.
Fixing Gutters and Vent Boots
The plumbing vent boot is another area where leaks are common. The plastic and metal can crack, allowing leaks. To fix it, examine the rubber boot and replace it if it’s damaged.
Problematic gutters are also a common source of leaks. To fix them, check the condition of the gutters and do repairs if the damage is minor. Loose gutters can also be pounded back in place or upgraded with fascia hanger brackets. Gutters also have to be cleaned regularly.