we physically have water dripping in the house when it rains. have been up on roof to check for leaks but all looks fine. since water takes the path of least resistance, checked that too. cannot find where the leak originates from.
help and suggestions please on how to locate the source. we know how to repair it, IF we can find it lol.
ty all in advance...
2006-12-20 11:03:01 · 8 answers · asked by lanna 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I've been 20+ yrs in the home repair bus. Finding a roof leak is a tough one. Try to get above the ceiling and look at the rafters and the roof deck from the inside. Thats the only way to find the kind of leak you seek.
2006-12-20 11:11:08 · answer #1 · answered by bob j 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can find a leak using a hose starting from at least the height of the leak and work your way up, but if you have done any work on your foundation that jacked up the house or work inside the house that could have lifted the roof a bit, or there was some major ground shift, like an earthquake or explosion etc, a shingle nail could have loosened and popped up which would leave a hole. Look at the roof for signs of lifting shingles or bulges under the shingles. If you find a spot like that, lift the shinge a bit from the leading edge, use a flat pry bar to get on top of the nail head and tap the pry bar with a hammer so as to renail the nail and then goop around the nail with roofing cement or a roof sealer product and and press the shingle back down in place.
2006-12-20 11:31:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a similar problem and the next time it rained and my roof leaked I crawled up into the attic with a flashlight and a ruler. From inside the attic I found where the water was entering. I then took my ruler and measured from a reference point, in my case that was the bathroom vent pipe, (you can use any reference point, vent pipe, chimney, a certain rafter, etc. etc.) then measure down from the peek of the roof. Take where the two lines of measurement intersect. That is where the leak is. Now take those measurements and go up on the roof an measure them out like you did in the attic and where the measurements intersect that is where the leak is, now you will have an area in which you can remove the shingles to make the repairs. Good luck...
2006-12-20 11:31:37 · answer #3 · answered by blacktrain11 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The water leaking in will often enter through some hole, then travel downhill through the layers of shingles, tar paper, plywood decking...and enter the attic...and even then, it can run down the underside of the plywood or a truss/rafter until it finally drips off. Unless you have completely lost a shingle, or they are very old and cracked...the most likely place is any kind of metal or plastic flashing..valleys, vent pipes, chimneys, etc.
Take a hose, and starting low where the leak comes in,work your way slowly "uphill" with it, while someone watches for the leak...preferably in the attic.
2006-12-20 11:15:25 · answer #4 · answered by roadlessgraveled 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Normal to see roofing nails protruding through sheeting. However, if the builder missed thr rafters when nailing down the sheeting ,could be the source if you see water on the rafters which could be a clue. The nails you are pushing up on could be the ones that are supposed to be holding the roof down. Tipoff will be if you see nail ends that are a little larger diameter & longer than the galvanized roofing nails esp. beside the rafters. If you find this is the case try to nail the sheeting tight. Flashlight,hose as mentioned, all good. Best regards
2016-05-23 02:19:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where is it leaking in to your house at in regard to the roof? Where is it in the house (like coming thru light fixture, or ceiling?) I work for a roofing company, if you email me some more info, I'm sure I can get an answer for you.
2006-12-20 11:19:36 · answer #6 · answered by missyhardt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Would not recommend that you use a hose. Wait until it rains again, as you dont need to introduce any more water than necessary.
You will need to get into the attic in order to solve this problem. Start in the general location and look up from there. Good luck.
2006-12-20 11:51:16 · answer #7 · answered by tim r 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Military Grade Tactical Flashlight - http://FlashLight.uzaev.com/?kwgU
2016-07-11 11:22:23 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋