Way Up on the Roof

If you have noticed that your attic smells like mold and seems to have a lot of moisture in the air, you may suspect that the roof has sustained damage and is allowing water to leak in. To help find the leak, set aside a couple of hours on a sunny day, and use the tips below to help you locate the leak.

1. Gather Everything (and Everyone) You Need for the Task

Before you start climbing up on your roof to find the leak, go ahead and gather together the items you will need for the interior and exterior parts of the job. For the exterior part where you will be on the roof, these items include a ladder and garden hose as well as slip-resistant, rubber-soled boots to help you as you stand and walk around on the roof.

For the interior portion, have an assistant who will be in the attic. They can also hold the ladder for you as you ascend and descend the roof unless you feel you need a third person for that task.

Give your indoor assistant a flashlight so that they can check for leaks and a bucket to catch any water that starts coming in.

2. Start at the Bottom of the Roof and Work Your Way Up with the Garden Hose

Once you have everything and everyone together, get up on the roof with the garden hose, and position yourself towards the bottom. Have your assistant turn on the garden hose before they go into the attic. While the hose is running, have them look for any water leaking into the attic.

This part of the inspection can take a while, so wait at least a half an hour before moving up the roof if your assistant does not see any water leakage. As soon as they do see any drips or discolorations forming in the ceiling of the attic, turn off the garden hose, and try to get a rough estimate of where the leak is located. Doing so can help you inform the roofer as to where to start looking for the damage.

If you are unable to find the leak, but you still suspect that the attic's roof has a hole in it, you will need to have a professional inspect the roof for damage. Contact a company that offers roof repair services so that they can send someone to locate the damaged area and discuss your options for fixing it.