Roof Leak Detection for Roof Damage from Rainfall

Keeping the rain out of your home may be the most important protection your roof provides.

The whole design of modern roofs centers around successfully keeping water from penetrating your shingles and causing water damage. That’s the reason why your roof has shingles, tiles, or metal panels instead of just exposed wood sheathing.

When your roof starts to leak during a rainstorm, it’s not providing the protection that it should. It’s also putting the valuables inside your home at risk. That means you have a problem to solve. But what caused it, and what should you do about it?

What Causes Roof Leaks?

Chances are, you’re going to self-diagnose any roof leaks during heavy rain. This isn’t because of roof damage from heavy rain, but is simply because having more rain makes existing leaks more noticeable. Of course, you won’t notice any active leaks at all when the sun is out.

In some cases, you could be dealing with roof leaks from underlying issues with the design of your roof. Roofs meeting at strange angles, flat roofing, skylights, or other features could result in water pooling and eventually leaking through your roof.

The best way to avoid these leaks in the first place is to always hire professional roofers for installations.

The main reason that you’ll see roof damage from heavy rain is that it allows any existing issues to lead to pooling.

Your roof is designed to let the water run off into your gutters and away from your home. It isn’t waterproof in the sense that water can’t get through at all. When a pool forms, water seeps into the shingles or tiles and can penetrate the wood underneath.

That’s also why ice dams can pose a serious threat to your roof. While they’re much less of a concern than damage from severe storms here in Greenville, SC, they’re a prime example of how pooling water can destroy your roof. When an ice dam forms at the edge of your roof, it holds water on your roof and lets it seep through.

Why Are Roof Leaks Such a Serious Issue?

Major leaks can cause serious damage to your home in a short period of time. Even minor leaks can have the same effect if they aren’t repaired promptly.

Your roof is covered in water-resistant materials, but underneath it’s just regular plywood. Underneath that is regular framing lumber that doesn’t have any protection against water either.

Water that leaks through your roof can penetrate inside these structural elements, eventually causing them to rot. This can lead to severe roof damage over time, especially when compounded by high winds and other storm damage.

The water that gets into your roof can leak past your attic and into your home’s ceilings and walls. This can also cause structural elements to rot. More immediately, it can cause serious mold and mildew growth. This turns your home into a potential health hazard, especially if anyone with allergies or breathing conditions lives there.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that these problems become worse as time goes on. Even a minor leak can still lead to rot, mold, and mildew. As water continues to penetrate your roof, minor leaks can expand to become major leaks that cause immediate damage.

Pests may also have an entry point into your home when a leak opens up new space, possibly leading to an infestation.

How Can I Prevent Roof Leaks During Heavy Rain?

Keeping up with regular roof maintenance is the most effective way to prevent future leaks from becoming an issue.

Ideally, you should have a professional roofer inspect your roof after major storms, or annually, if there isn’t a specific event that prompts an inspection. By doing so, you can identify issues that could cause leaks during heavy rain.

A professional roof inspection can spot worn or damaged shingles, cracked or shrinking sealant, and other problems that could let water penetrate your roof. From there, you can get a quote on any required roof repairs. By keeping up with these roof repairs, you’ll avoid needing a roof replacement years earlier than expected.

What Can I Do About Current Leaks?

If your roof has even a minor leak, you should reach out to a trusted roofer near you to deal with the issue right away. Keep in mind that many leaks are very small, and you might not actually see water in your home.

Watch out for these signs that you might have roof leaks:

Water stains on your ceilings or walls
A musty smell in your home—could be mold or mildew
Overflowing gutters during heavy rain—could indicate standing water
Bent, warped, or distorted shingles

If you notice any of these signs, it’s well worth reaching out to a professional roofer to inspect your roof. Catching leaks early can mean the difference between quick roof repairs and a complete, and more costly, roof replacement.

If you have access to your attic, you can look for leaks during rain. Keep in mind that you might not see all leaks because they won’t necessarily drip down but can travel along structural elements, potentially where you can’t see them.

Even minor dripping or wet patches in your attic are signs of a roof leak and mean that you should get a professional roofer to check things out. If there’s a steady dripping, you can put a pot or other container underneath to prevent the water from spreading, but this is in no way a permanent solution.

Professional Roof Leak Repair in Greenville, SC

Do you believe that your roof might have developed leaks, or have you simply not had anyone look at your roof in a while?

The professional roofers at Beemer KangaRoof® can provide for all of your roof inspection and roof repair needs here in Greenville, SC, and the surrounding areas.