Ideally, homeowners would love not to be bothered with roof leaks at all. However, if your roof does spring a leak, it's best to catch it early and before too much damage is done to the structure or interior of your home. Unfortunately, many homeowners don't know what to look for and might not notice a leak until they see water stains in the ceiling or notice mold and mildew growth. Here are a few ways you can catch a roof leak early and before too much damage is done.
Check the Attic
Rather than starting with the exterior of your roof, start with your attic. Wait for a sunny day and then climb up to the attic and look at the roof. If you notice cracks of light peeking through, then you know you have an issue with roof leaks. This is where the leak is likely to show first, so make sure to do this after major storms and such to keep an eye on the state of your roof. If you notice a leak, contact a roofer right away to help repair it.
Look at the Shingles
Next, take a look at the exterior of your roof. Do you notice missing shingles, or shingles that are chipped? This could mean your roof has a leak or, at the very least, that it's more vulnerable to leaks. If you notice curled shingles, this could be a sign that water damage is already occurring. You may also notice that there's debris in your gutters or downspouts from your shingles, which could also spell an issue with leaks to your roof.
Tamp Down the Flashing
Roof flashing is used around vents and chimneys to help keep them sealed and prevent leaks. However, flashing is made up of sheet metal that could potentially become worn and loose in the midst of a heavy storm. If your flashing has come loose or is missing, that could be ground zero for a roof leak. Make sure to tamp this down and then check the attic or check for other signs of a roof leak before it begins to affect the interior of your home.
Worried you might have a roof leak? Montgomery Winslow can help. Contact us today for more information or a free quote for your next roofing project.