Has a roofing contractor told you the most important part of inspecting your roof for leaks is to spot them as early as possible? It’s true. Most leaks start small, and the sooner you catch them the more work you’ll save yourself in the long run.

Keep your eye out for early signs of leaks: brown spots on the ceilings; rust stains around a furnace flue; water stains around a chimney; or a persistent leaking noise you can’t identify. While leaks can be hard to find, you can simplify the process by following a few simple steps.

Roofing Company’s Roof Leak Inspection Tips

  1. Inspect the attic. Look for water stains or the smell of mildew.
  2. Inspect your roof from the ground. Keep in mind that the western and southern exposures will deteriorate faster than northern and eastern exposures. Look for any obvious shingle damage that might compromise the integrity of the roof surface.
  3. Patch the roof if you need to. But patching may be a temporary solution, and it may only delay the appearance of a leak. Take a good look at the roof, and inspect it periodically to get some idea of how rapidly the condition is worsening. If you believe you need roof repair or a new roof, don’t wait too long or you’ll end up with damaging leaks.

If you decide to climb onto your roof, use extreme caution. Countless homeowners are injured or killed each year from falling off roofs. Keep in mind that flat roofs leak more than pitched roofs, but any roof can form leaks over time.

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Image: Hundred House roof lines / Groton School / CC BY 2.0