How To Spot Roof Problems

Also look for pulled or missing nails at the base s bottom edge.

How to spot roof problems.

Perform an outdoor inspection. In this case make permanent repairs. If flashing is incorrectly attached there is a significant chance of leaking and other problems appearing. Check for cracked housings on plastic roof vents and broken seams on metal ones.

You might be tempted to throw caulk at the problem but that solution won t last long. Common places where it has to be applied are chimneys skylights vent pipes etc. Flashing is a crucial part of your roofing system because it seals the penetrations on your roof. If the roof shows signs of general wear making repairs will solve the problem only temporarily.

Flashing refers to thin pieces of material typically metal installed at the joints of your roof under vents and under shingles to prevent water from entering at the seams and causing damage. You want to look for missing pieces or breaks in the flashing and for cracks in the exposed flashing. If you have an attic the easiest way to spot the leak is to up there on a rainy day. Also look for pulled or missing nails at the base s bottom edge.

Once you locate the source of the water mark the area. There s really no fix other than replacing the damaged vents. Other leaks will soon appear. Water will reflect light so bring a flashlight along.

If this type of damage is localized i e it covers less than 30 percent of the entire roof roofing repairs might be able to address the problem. Replace them with rubber washered screws. If the roof is basically sound with only one or two weak spots the damage may have come from a falling branch or a particularly severe windstorm. On a nice day have a helper tap on the mark while you re on the roof.

What to look for. There s really no fix other than replacing the damaged vents. Identifying the true location of roof leaks in the attic. Identifying roof damage.

You might be tempted to throw caulk at the problem but that solution won t last long.