How does a roofer know where a leak is?

Question

If plaster is moist and paint is popping off my ceiling, How does a roofer determine where the water is coming in and which roofing shingles need to be replaced? How expensive should this be?

Answer 1

you need to get into the attic with the light offand look for pin holes. look around for water damage with the lights on. check the roof for broken shingles or just worn out shingles,flashing etc. Price is based on the problem so it is best to call someone for a free estimate and listen to what they have to say. get estimates from 3 contractor's to start and go from there you may have to call 6 contractors to actually get 3 estimates and if they don't call back don't use them just move on to the next one. Good luck.

Answer 2

This is a fairly inexpensive repair (under $500). Mostly this will be for labor, one or two days worth of work.

The way a roofer will find the leak is to trace it back through the attic. From there he will follow it up to the area in the attic that is highest up and showing signs of moisture.

With a tape measure he will figure out where he is and then transpose that information up on the roof outside. He will then look for signs in that area for the leak. This is where he will patch the roof. Most of the time it will only need some roofing mastic spread on the area to reseal the leak.

Most often leaks are near the edge of the roof so that is where he is likely to look first. The other place that leaks often is around your chimney.

If it is bad enough or the shingles are worn out too much he may recommend a new layer of shingles (to replace all of them.)

Answer 3

Water leaks can actually be a few feet away from where the water shows. Roofers and handymen have learned how to locate them through experience. The cost will depend on how bad the leak is. When you have to disturb and old roof, leaks can pop up in many other places. Depending on how old your roof is, quite a bit of it may have to be replaced.

Answer 4

OK, sis, get in the attic while it is raining, or get a macho type to spray water on the roof while you are in the attic with a good light. I think most roofers are going to replace that whole side of roof, but you can patch it.

Answer 5

By looking at water stains inside the attic, water trail marks, etc then gaging which roof tiles or shingles look most likely to have let water in. It's basically logical deduction and experience, there is no fool proof way to find exactly where a leak is and which way to fix it.

Answer 6

He will have to get into the roof and discover where the water is coming in. But that ain't all. Where the water is dripping does not generally relate to where the roof needs repair. It is a skill.

Answer 7

I am guessing that this isn't a brand new challenge and you've got attempted to patch it your self greater than as soon as. The satisfactory repair is substitute. This is rather low-cost for those who get the parts your self and understand a man as a way to paintings for beer. You can shingle a roof with asphalt for approximately 50 according to rectangular or one hundred rectangular toes that might be (guessing) underneath three hundred for a state-of-the-art roof at the porch. Get a man pal to aid you out and you are set.

Answer 8

Sometimes leaks are easy to find and sometime next to impossible, so how much it cost depends what one has to do to find the leak. Look at it this way how much will new carpet, furniture, repair of rotton wood, mold removel cost.

Answer 9

30 yrs of experience....water usually runs down...it can transfer horizontally....and can go up as in a sponge...but you probablt don;t have sponges v up stairs....from 3400 miles away....sounds like new roof and or ventalation/evestroughs