I Have A Leak In My Flat Roof

If you have attic access the easiest way to track down a leak is to go up there with a flashlight and look for the evidence.

I have a leak in my flat roof.

Finding the actual spot where the roof leaks is difficult because water can enter the roof in one place and run down to another before it starts soaking into the ceiling. Thin pieces of material sometimes metal that have been installed to weatherproof the roof and stop water entering at angles or joint. Most flat roofs are very slightly sloped to facilitate runoff so explore from the point of the water s entrance up the. This flashing is normally installed around pipes and at roof edges but it isn t always that durable.

I always start at flashings. Just like any roof a flat roof will develop leaks but since it s flat the water doesn t have anywhere to go but straight down. This means that moisture can seep into the roof itself and cause problems that may lead to mold and fungus. Use those measurements on the rooftop to create a starting point for your search.

You know the roof is bad if shingles are missing or obviously damaged or when water stains the ceiling or walls. What causes flat roof leaks. The goal is to find the leak before the entire roof goes bad. A common cause of leaks on flat roofs is often flashing.

Begin this project when the roof has been. They can be several feet above the leak or to the right or left of it. How to find a leak on a flat roof the best time to look for a leak is when the roof has been dry for at least three days and in the evening night time when after cooling down the flat roof leak hot spot will release heat that has stored underneath the hole during the day. Steps in tracking down a flat or low slope roof leak careful visual inspection of the roof surface above for possible leak points such as any anomaly in the roof surface.

Careful inspection of the roof drainage system for blockages or drain leaks into the building see flat roof drainage. Penetrations can include plumbing and roof vents chimneys dormers or anything else that projects through the roof. While there are many different causes of leaks there are three that we have identified as the most common and most detrimental to your building s performance. You want to look for trouble spots that generally are the primary source of leaks.

1 being located in a harsh environment 2 standing water on the roofing surface and 3 utilizing outdated roofing technology. Knowing what to look for can help you locate a flat roof leak although it may still take a bit of patience to track the hole down so you can repair it. These three causes are. If you have a flat roof that leaks get up on it when it is dry and cool.