Fixing Your Leaky Roof
Updated December 1, 2018 . AmFam Team
As harmless as a roof leak might seem, it’s actually a pretty big deal. Leaks can lead to weakened structures, mold and other potentially expensive problems. To help you track down and deal with these leaks, we’ve put together a list of tips that any homeowner can use.
Finding the Leak in Your Roof
Unless you’ve got your eyes on your ceilings and roof 24/7, you probably won’t notice a roof leak until a drop of water falls on your floor, the couch or the top of your head. So once you do notice water dropping into your humble abode, take this list and find that pesky leak:
Look for the obvious signs. If a strong storm rolled through recently and you’re noticing a leak, there’s a good chance the two are related. Take a look at your roof for missing or damaged shingles or any other damage to your roof. Under no circumstances should you attempt to get on your roof — call a professional roofer if you see obvious damage.
Search for any areas that might have openings. Things like roof vents, chimneys and windows can have sealed openings that wear down over time. From the ground, look and see if there are any apparent breaks in between them and your roof.
Check for water stains on your ceiling. Spotting water stains on your ceiling can help you track down where the leak is both traveling and originating. Be sure to check the corners of your rooms and your cabinets — both inside and outside. If the leak isn’t new, you might notice mold growth in any of those areas, too.
Take a look in your attic — safely. Do not get inside your attic and walk around. Walking on the boards can be very tricky, and if you misstep, you could fall through your ceiling. So for your own health’s sake (and your wallet’s), grab a flashlight and take a look at your attic from a ladder. Look for any moisture, deteriorated insulation or mold. If your attic smells particularly musty, that’s another sign you’re close to the source of the leak.
Check your gutters and downspouts. Gutters and downspouts can often be part of the problem when it comes to a leaky roof. And if they’re jammed full of leaves, sticks or other debris, they’ll have trouble doing their job, keeping water (and if it’s cold enough, forming ice dams) on your roof and potentially causing leaks.
Testing Your Roof for Leaks
Whether you think you found the source of your roof leak and are looking for confirmation, or you’re still unsure of where the water is coming from, testing your roof for leaks is the next step towards fixing your problem. Here’s how you do it:
Set up a bucket. Make sure to put something down to catch the leak(s) while you test. Have a couple extra ones handy, too, if you notice more areas where the water is seeping through.
Wait for the next rain storm. If you’re taking on this leak-finding mission solo, you can wait for the next time it rains to try and pinpoint the source of your leak. Carefully monitor your ceilings and attic for clues on where the water is finding its way in.
Get a friend or family member to help you hose down your roof. There’s no sense in waiting for the rain if you can find someone to help you find that pesky leak. Hook up a garden hose outside, then head inside to keep an eye on your ceilings and attic.
Start at the bottom of the roof. Have the other person turn on the hose and spray the closest part of your roof with water for 10 to 15 minutes. Depending on the severity of your leak, it might take even longer for the water to work its way into your home, so be patient.
Work your way up the roof. By starting at the bottom of the roof and working your way up, you’ll be able to get a good idea of which part of your roof is leaking. Don’t rush the process — being careful to take your time on each section of the roof is crucial to finding your leak.
Spray near seams and other potential openings. Be sure to take time to spray water on the sides of windows, chimneys and roof vents to see if they’re the culprit of your leak.
Do not get on your roof. No matter how determined you are to find your leak, do not get on your roof. The risks drastically outweigh the benefits — plus, if you’ve just water-tested your roof, it will be even more slippery than normal.
Fixing Your Roof Leak
If you think you’ve finally figured out the source of that annoying roof leak, get it fixed as soon as possible. It doesn’t take long for water to start attracting mold and harming the structure of your home, so use these tips to fix your problem and fast:
Call a professional roofer. Unless you’re one yourself, don’t attempt to get on your roof and patch up your leak. Get in touch with a professional and have the job done right and quickly. Plus, if there are more issues with your roof or concerns about future leaks, your roofer can spot them and help prevent them, too. Here are some tips on figuring out if, or when, you need to replace your roof.
Check your homeowners policy. Most American Family homeowners policies are equipped with replacement cost coverage for non-wind and non-hail losses. If your leak is caused by a covered loss, your insurance could cover the roof’s replacement cost after you pay your deductible.
Whether it’s helping you understand the difference between actual cash value and replacement cost value roof coverage or helping you get the peace of mind you need with your other insurance coverages, your American Family agent is dedicated to helping you protect what matters most. Get in touch with your agent (Opens in a new tab) today and make sure you’ve got the right coverage for your family.
Related Articles
- 9 Steps to Create a Home Inventory for Insurance Claims
Your home is more than a roof over your head. It’s where your dreams grow, your family thrives and memories are made. But the possessions you keep inside are important, too.
Whether you’re renting an apartment or own your home, you’ve most likely got an insurance policy designed to protect your dwelling and the things inside. Should the unthinkable happen and you have to use that insurance policy, it’s important to have a plan in place. And a home inventory list is a great way to get started!
We’ll walk you through how to create a home inventory so — in the event of the unexpected — you’ll be more prepared and have a streamlined recovery.
What Is a Home Inventory?
Quite simply, a home inventory is a complete list of all the items, especially valuables, in and around your home. The best home inventories include photos, descriptions and dollar values of each of your belongings. The more detail, the better! It’ll help you provide a comprehensive list to your agent of items lost in the event your home is damaged or destroyed, allowing you to get the most out of your coverage.
When your describing the items in your list, remember that the more information, the better. Here’s a quick reference list of the type of information you should include in your home inventory list:
- An in-depth description of the items. For example, rather than writing down “diamond ring,” be more descriptive, such as: “an emerald cut diamond ring, with white gold shank, accent stones and initials inscribed below the bridge.”
- Make, model, and/or serial number of the items.
- Date of purchase, receipts and photos.
- Estimated replacement cost if you bought it today. Do note that the value of the items might be different today than it was when you first bought them. This is especially true with jewelry, and other valuables.
- Appraisals at time of purchase. Especially if your items were appraised for insurance purposes.
Why Do I Need a Home Inventory?
Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, everyone can benefit from a home inventory!
If you ever have to make a claim, a home inventory is a great asset to have, especially after stressful events like theft, storm damage or a fire (take a look at how one renter used their home inventory after facing an apartment fire).
When you make a claim, you typically submit information on everything that was lost — which can be difficult to do off the top of your head for all your possessions. Remembering to replace your TV or computer are no-brainers, but when it comes to remembering each piece of jewelry in your jewelry box, things tend to get overlooked. Having a personal property inventory will help, along with knowing how to properly insure your jewelry.
When you have your home inventory checklist, you know exactly what needs to be replaced, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing your entire household is protected.
- Reasons Why a Roof Leaks
You’re admiring the rain from the comfort of your home when you notice a sound — the unmistakable drip of water dropping onto your floor. The first and hardest step is figuring out why your roof is leaking. And with these tips, you’ll find the culprit in no time!
Here’s Why Your Roof Is Leaking
The list of reasons why your roof is leaking may seem long, but don’t worry — when it comes to finding the leak and fixing it, the finding is the hardest part. And the good thing about these problems? They can all be fixed. Check out the list and see what’s troubling your roof:
Your roof is old
Roofs don’t last forever. Protecting your home and everything inside it from the elements comes with a cost. And with all that rain, snow, ice, wind and even sunlight wearing down your roof, it becomes more susceptible to leaks. Every roof will eventually need to be replaced, so learn more about how long your roof should last based on what it’s made of.
- How to Check Your Roof for Storm Damage
There’s no good time to find out your roof needs repair — but you may be able to mitigate that pain by routinely checking your roof for damage after severe weather. Waiting for a leak or damage to present itself gives the problem time to grow and worsen.
And sometimes, you’ll be faced with expensive roof and interior damage repairs if you’re not diligent. By being proactive and checking your roof for damage after severe weather hits can help your roof — and your savings — stay healthy.
