More often than not a roof will be leaking for some time before the owner is even aware of it. Even over a short time, roof leaks can lead to big problems, such as mould, rotted battens and framing, destroyed insulation and damaged ceilings.
The first step in protecting your home is to check for signs of damage. Signs may include mould, water marks or dark spots on your walls or ceiling. Other identifiers are sagging ceilings or dampness to the walls and ceiling. You can listen for dripping noises in your roof cavity during rain periods. This may give you indications that your roof has leaks before showing signs of water damage internally.
Leaks can happen in a variety of areas of your roof and often end up dripping somewhere completely unrelated. This can leave you scratching your head when determining which areas need to be fixed. When rain enters the ceiling space it can run along timber rafters, trusses and timber battens which in turn can start to rot and create serious (not to mention costly $$$) structural damage.
Some of the most common areas a roof can be leaking from are:
- Chimneys
- Vent pipes
- Flashings
- Valleys
- Skylights
- Lapped roof sheeting
If you want avoid untimely damage to your home and keep your possessions and family safe and dry then regular roof inspections are a good way to go. If you plan on doing the inspection yourself keep clear of power lines and take time to consider any other risks before climbing up.
