One of the most frustrating problems that a homeowner is forced to deal with is a mystery leak in the roof. Typically, the homeowner will have tried unsuccessfully to locate the leak and then called one or two roofers. This or that may have been tried, but whenever it rains it’s still “run for the bucket.” Probably just about everyone involved in Residential Roofing in Upper Arlington OH has called on their detective abilities more than once to track down a mystery leak.
Why is it So Hard to Find and Fix a Mystery Leak?
Most of the time, the cause of a leaking roof isn’t too hard to find and fix. Fortunately, mystery leaks are the exception. An experienced roofer understands how roofs are constructed and knows where to look for a leak.
Mystery leaks, however, are annoying and tricky. Water follows the path of least resistance and can be very unpredictable in the twists and turns it takes en route to the spot where it leaks, which could be as much as 100 feet. If the roof involves multiple roof systems, rooftop penetrations and deck flutes, the problem becomes very complicated very quickly.
The Detective Work Begins
- The first step is to go inside the home and take measurements to use to locate the leak on the roof
- Removing a few ceiling tiles may be necessary
- Up on the roof, the technician maps out the leak location and begins the search
Possible Causes of Leaks
The cause of a leak can be fairly obvious, such as missing or broken shingles or deteriorated flashing, but while those could be involved, mystery leaks are usually more secretive. Years of dirt and old membranes can disguise the problem.
A few possible causes include:
- A tiny hole, possibly made by the point of a nail
- Improperly installed flashings (a fairly common cause of leaks)
- Low slope roofs, which are more likely to leak when wind blows rain
- A poorly done repair in the past
- Pooling water
- Ice dams
has been doing professional, high quality Residential Roofing in Upper Arlington OH and the Columbus area since 1929. They know that the secret to success is simple – do a good job and treat the customer right. For a free damage inspection, call 614-291-4243.