How To Test Existing Roof For Leakage

You may need to perform a water test.

How to test existing roof for leakage.

Roof leaks present multiple challenges for homeowners. Finding the actual spot where the roof leaks is difficult because water can enter the roof in one place and run down to another before it starts soaking into the ceiling. Sometimes the water shows up at a ceiling spot distant from the leak. The spray testing is started at the point of lowest elevation below an area of suspected leakage.

By gary hedstrom peg hedstrom judy ondrla tremore. How to find a leak in a roof may be the hardest part of fixing a leaky roof. Again practice safety first. The drainage path of test water on lower areas of roof or walls must be tested to be certain they do not contain the leak location.

One person will be outside the house with a garden hose running water over the roof. Here s how it works. 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. Find a friend to help with the roof leak test.

How to water test your roof for leaks. They never occur at a time which is convenient and they can lead to significant damage to the interior of your home. Look for cracks in the base of flexible rubber flashing or broken seams in metal varieties of vent pipe flashing the rubber gasket that surrounds the vent pipe could be rotted. Check plumbing vent boots and roof vents if water is entering from that area to cause the leaking roof.

The other person will be inside the attic watching the area for water leaks.