Roofing: The Honest Truth

Too many roofs in stock will inevitably lead to water damage. Ceiling stains are a common indicator of a leaking roof and should be expected in any renovation project. In my experience, projects without any traces of leaks, either in the past or in the present, are the rare exception.

Even the best shingles wear out and need to be replaced eventually. There is simply no way to avoid it. If your roof has several leaks or the shingles are curled, it's probably more cost-effective to replace them than to fix them. You'll just have to calculate that into the cost of fixing things. Whether you choose to maintain the property or put it back on the market after the renovation, this is one thing you won't have to worry about.

Roofing leaks can be difficult to track down, especially if the shingles still have some life left in them. As you try and fail to repair the roof, the frustration builds. You want to avoid the high cost of bringing in a professional roofer, so it makes sense that you would first try a DIY solution. Depending on the situation, you either can or cannot. How to find the source of a roof leak and fix it

I've learned the hard way that prolonged, heavy rains are "helpful" during the course of any rehabilitation project. In this approach, any flaws will be exposed. After a long period of rain, you should inspect your vacant or non-renovated property for evidence of leaks. Investigating roof leaks during a downpour is the optimal moment.


Invest in a tiny flashlight with a belt clip and incorporate it into your everyday wardrobe. It will become indispensable, and not just for exploring hidden storage spaces. Use it in the bathroom, kitchen, beneath the sink, etc. Add it to the "uniform"!

Rehabilitate with the help of the garden hose. Recent work of mine featured a kitchen with a ceiling stain despite a relatively fresh roof. We felt we'd gotten it after two tries, so we patched the ceiling, put up stain block, and textured over the area. The rains eventually came, and the spot's round, symmetrical pattern reappeared. I finally went over the edge and put my handyman in the attic while I climbed up there with a garden hose in hand. After hosing down the roof for less than a minute, we located the little hole that was causing the leak. Add some tar to the underside and top of the shingle, and you're done! An answer has been found. The round stain was caused by water dripping from the ceiling via the little opening.

Examine the carpet for patterns of discoloration. Your eyes should be drawn to the pattern for clues. A leak that leaves a circular stain on the ceiling is likely dripping onto the dry wall above. Try this: drive a nail through the center of the stain, climb up into the attic, and look exactly above the nail. Doing this in broad daylight could allow you to see a pinpoint of light, simplifying the maintenance process. In the event that a hole is discovered, I still advise using the garden hose test to determine if there are any other issues that need addressing.

A small, circular stain usually indicates a minimal degree of water damage. Even if the stained area is significantly greater, a simple solution may be possible if only a single hole is present. Rain that pools and soaks into the ceiling drywall can cause serious damage. Because of this, it will appear as though there is a major leak, when in fact it may just require replacing one shingle (plus some new ceiling drywall). If you have a leaky roof and want to know if it's just one small hole or if it's more like Swiss cheese, use a garden hose.

Water seeping along a rafter or truss may cause a stain to form in a straight line. Check that rafter for leaks beginning at the ceiling. Multiple stains appearing in a row may have the same cause: water leaking from a single hole in the roof.

Finding and sealing the leak It's important to keep an eye on the ridgeline. Check the interior of the property while keeping in mind the direction that the roof ridgeline is running. Finding a stain on the ceiling in the middle of the house, close to the ridgeline overhead, is a good indication of where the water first entered the home. No water can be poured uphill! That means the region of concern starts from the stain and goes nearly to the ridgeline. There will be a lot less ceiling to look at.

Stains along the roof's margins, on the other hand, can be difficult to identify. Why? There's a chance the leak started higher up on the roof than the stain is. Possible causes include water seeping under a shingle on the roof's peak, running down the space between the shingles and the plywood, and then leaking at the spot where you can see it. However, first impressions can be deceiving. Check the rafters in the vicinity of the region from the inside to see if there are any water stains. If you're lucky, light and a gap can appear. If you aren't so lucky, then you should probably check the roof for useful items. If you can't see any glaring problems, you should probably call a roofer, unless you want to completely redo the roof.

Leaky roofs typically originate in the valleys. This is something I notice frequently in abandoned or deserted buildings. The accumulation of leaves in the valley is a frequent cause of the issue. These leaves collect water, which eventually rots the shingles and the wood underneath them. Repairs can include anything from removing leaves and letting the roof dry to installing new plywood and shingles, depending on the severity of the rot. Keep the debris out of the valleys of your roof.

There is no easy way to fix a leaking roof. Taking a proactive approach to diagnosing the leak problem and looking for leaks that may not yet have soaked through the ceiling drywall will save time and money in the long run. Don't think the situation is solved if you notice a single damaged shingle or hole in the roof. It's time to pull out the hose of proof. Getting back up on a roof or into an attic is not as much fun as the initial adventure.