How Can I Tell if My Roof Has a Leak?

Oftentimes, a roof leak is obvious. Whether some of your roof’s shingles are missing, a part of your ceiling has become discolored or you hear a drip inside your home, usually it doesn’t take homeowners long to notice a leak – but that isn’t always the case.

While a leak that impacts a high-traffic room like your living room or bedroom is highly noticeable, water damage appearing in seldom used rooms or areas of your home that aren’t visited on a regular basis can go unnoticed for days, weeks or even longer. 

The longer a well-hidden leak persists, the worse the cumulative damage becomes. With time, the leak can widen, mold and mildew growth can spread in insulation or behind drywall and beams in your attic or other critical structural components can become compromised.

At Perkins Roofing, our dedicated roofing experts have the expertise and resources to protect homeowners from extensive water damage, thoroughly assessing your roof to find the source of the leak and working fast to mitigate the damage.

Common Causes of Roof Leaks

• Aging Roofs: Deteriorated roofing materials can become prone to leaks.

• Broken or Missing Shingles: High winds and severe storms can damage or dislodge shingles, leaving the roof decking or underlayment exposed.

• Improper Installation: Roofing materials not installed correctly can increase your risk of leaks.

• Damaged Flashing: Flashing is used to seal the joints and edges around chimneys, skylights and any vents. If corroded, damaged or missing, flashing failure can create a direct opening for water to leak into your home.

• Clogged Gutters: If your gutters are blocked by debris, water can back up under your shingles. With nowhere else to go, this backed up water can penetrate your roof.

• Ice Dams: Ice dams can potentially form at your roof's edge during the winter, trapping melting snow that can seep under and lift shingles, causing damage near the gutters.

• Pooling Water: Water that remains on the roof due to poor drainage or leveling issues can eventually seep through the roof material, especially on flat parts of your roof or portions with low slope.

• Chimney Wear and Tear: The mortar and bricks used in chimney construction can absorb water and deteriorate over time, especially if the chimney cap is missing or damaged, allowing water to seep into your home.

• Condensation in the Attic: Occasionally, what appears to be a roof leak may actually be condensation forming in the attic due to poor ventilation or high humidity in the house. This can mimic the signs of a roof leak, such as water stains or mold.

What Should I Do if I Have a Roof Leak?

Once you find the leak, you should act fast to mitigate damage. Put buckets under the leak if it’s actively dripping onto your floors. Try to locate the source of the leak on your roof. If possible to do it safely, secure a tarp over the leak. This isn’t always safe to do, especially if it’s still raining, and you may not be able to precisely determine the source. Perkins Roofing’s emergency roof repair team has professional grade tarp on hand and will respond fast to any roof leak emergency situations.   

It’s important for a qualified roofer to perform an in-depth roof damage investigation to document the source of leaks and any other roof damage. The team at Perkins Preferred Roofing has an in-depth understanding of insurance claims and regularly helps The Woodlands homeowners file successful roof damage claims. 

If you find a leak, you should call an experienced roofing professional to contain and fix the damage promptly. Our crew will repair your roof quickly as soon as possible.

Hire Trusted Roofing Experts in Woodlands, TX

If you find a leak, you should call an experienced roofing professional to contain and fix the damage promptly. Our crew will repair your roof quickly or recommend a longer-term full or partial roof replacement solution to reduce the risk of future roof leaks.

Call (877) 611-1514 to learn more about our roof repair services and schedule a free roof inspection with one of our professionals today.