Q&A - How to Find a Leak on My Roof

Is there a way to find a roof leak before it streams into my home?

Do you have a leaky roof? While we recommend having a roofing profesional come out to inspect your roof, here is a tip on finding a leak.

Access the roof in the area of the leak and have the ladder extending three feet beyond the gutter for safety. Practice proper ladder safety with two feet and one hand on the rungs at all time. For additional safety, have someone hold the ladder in place while you're on it.

Have someone in the house waiting to see water start to leak in the problem area.

Both parties should be connected by cell phones for easy communication. A third person yelling between the two parties works well also.

Using a lawn hose and a sprayer with an on and off valve, start spraying the roof from the lowest point.

Slowly water down the small area below the roof leak for about 10 minutes. If the roof leak is still wet when starting, it won’t take much time before the leaking starts to happen from your watering.

If no leaking is seen, move up the roof about two feet. And in about a three-foot-wide path, repeat the same time frame of watering.

Keep repeating this process until you hear on the phone or someone yelling, "OK it’s leaking!!!"

Your roof leak will be in that area you are spraying or below.

It takes patience not to move up faster, but the more patience you have the better chance you have to locate the problem area. Be safe on the wet surface and wear a good pair of nonstick shoes.

Always use fall protection when on a roof.

If you start by flooding the whole roof from the ridge (top) first, it will be harder to find the area since the whole roof becomes covered with water and you won’t know where to look. Once the leaking area is found it will be easier to find the problem. Most leaks are discovered around flashings, skylights, chimney or near a valley.

Many times a leak will enter and travel down a rafter or brace and show itself many feet from where the roof is leaking. This is why getting up in the attic is the best way to track down a leak. Or hire a professional who knows how to look for and identify leaks.

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Disclaimer: The information provided on AskARoofer.com or information sent by emails is the opinion of the writers. It is the responsibility of the reader to check for accuracy in one's own jurisdiction, as there are different codes and restrictions for different parts of the country. AskARoofer.com does not accept any liability for the use of information on this website or email. AskARoofer.com has no controls over product failures, installation, or climate conditions that may change the roofing process in your area. Our information is in general to our area and cannot be the same as your local town or state. It is advised to seek the local Building Department, Licensed Contractor and local Product Representative for proper installation requirements and code enforcement when installing a new roof.