7 Common Signs of a Leaking Roof

Roof leakage is by far the most common roof issue homeowners have to deal with. Constant exposure to high humidity levels and temperatures can deteriorate the wooden parts of your roof and lead to unexpected damage.

With that in mind, let’s examine the 7 most common signs of a leaking roof. If you ever notice one of these issues, you should immediately contact an expert to repair it before the roof gets further damaged.

Is My Roof Leaking?

To begin with, you need to figure out if your roof is leaking. While roof leaks are very frequent, there are also other roof issues that are similar to leakage, such as condensation. Therefore, it’s important to distinguish between the two problems.

Condensation usually forms in parts of the house where there’s a lot of warm, humid air, such as the kitchen or bathroom. Also, during the winter, your roof can gather frost, which will cause condensation once it melts and look similar to a water leak.

How to Tell if a Roof Is Leaking?

To determine if your roof is leaking, you must inspect it thoroughly. Here are some of the most common roof leak signs that you should look for:

1. Dripping In The Attic

Your attic is the most common place to check for roof leak signs, as it’s the room directly underneath your roof. If you hear faint or even loud dripping sounds from the attic, you should definitely inspect it, or contact a professional service, as it may be a serious water leak. Also, check the walls of your attic for any signs of a water leak.

2. Stains On Ceiling Or Walls

If you come across any weird brown or yellow stains on your ceiling or walls, it’s one of the signs of a leaking roof. These water spots will usually gather in the center of the ceiling or the wall, but they may also appear in the corners or other places. If you notice any discoloration on your walls or ceiling, contact a professional as soon as possible to check if there are any roof leaks.

3. Water Dripping In The House

This is as clear as it gets in terms of signs of a leaking roof. If you suddenly find water dripping in any part of your house, you’re likely dealing with a severe roof leakage. Once the water has penetrated all the roof’s protected layers, it’ll start to drip directly into the house. So, keep an eye (and an ear) out for any signs of dripping water.

4. Mold Growth On The Roof Or Walls

The constant exposure to a warm and humid climate can cause some slight mold growth on your roof. However, if you find mold growing on your walls or extensive mold growth on the roof, it’s highly likely that your roof is leaking. Make sure to repair the damage immediately and get rid of the mold, as it can be hazardous to your health.

5. Deteriorating Shingles

If you ever look at your roof and see damaged shingles, you should do further inspection on them. Since shingles are usually the outermost layer of your roof, any damage on them can start a roof leakage. If you have any missing shingles, the problem is significant and requires immediate repair.

6. Plumbing Vent Boot Damage

Vent boots are essential for most residential roofs to aid with plumbing. These pipes are normally constructed out of lead, but there are also plastic vent boots. If you see your plumbing vent boot being cracked or rotten, you should fix it promptly, as it’s one of the most common signs of a leaking roof.

7. Defective Flashing

Some roofs require the addition of a metal flashing to guide water away from certain spots, such as walls or the chimney. One of the most frequent roof leak signs is damaged or defective flashing. A flashing repair is a complicated process that requires professional work to avoid any damage in the future.

Let The Pros Handle Your Roof Leaks

Roof leaks are widespread and can be a pain to deal with. If you suspect that your roof might be leaking, check it out using the signs of a leaking roof mentioned above. Once you’ve confirmed it, you need to plan out its repair as soon as possible.

However, remember that roof damage is very difficult and dangerous for anyone to fix. That’s why you should always rely on professionals with years of experience and knowledge in roof repairs and maintenance.

Contact Roofing Wise or call at (833) 315-7663 immediately if you think your roof might be leaking. We’ll offer you a free on-site roof inspection and plan out all the necessary steps to repair it!