Signs of water stains running down walls or extending across ceilings is probably a sign of a roof leak. Roof leaks are often caused by small holes, missing shingles, or gaps in metal flashing around vent pipes. While fixes for the leaks are pretty easy, it’s the tracking of the leak that can turn out to be a headache.

Not being able to locate the source of a leak can cause tremendous damage to your home’s interior–drywall, lighting, flooring, furniture, the list goes on. In this guide, our East Bay roofing contractors discuss a few simple tips for locating roof leaks quickly and easily.

1. Try to notice the leak as it occurs

Easier said than done, we know, but making an effort to track a leak as it occurs will save you a lot of time and frustration. Tracing a leak back to its original source using stains left behind on walls and ceilings can be very tricky and may not tell you the whole story. Try to spot the leak the next time it rains or snows and see if you can notice it.

2. Take precaution

Alternatively, if you aren’t sure that you’re dealing with a roof leak, head to the attic with a flashlight and use a garden hose to wet the roof to create a human-made leak. Then, closely examine the rafters and roof decking in the attic above the spot where you created the wet spot.

3. Follow it up

Follow any existing wet spots or water stains through the roof decking or up the rafters to reach the highest point. Take measurements from the roof peak to the leak’s highest point, and over from the gable end to the source of leak.

4. Head over to the roof and keep looking

Once the roof has dried off, go there and transfer the measurements you took to the roof. Closely examine your house’s roofing to find out the exact location of the leak. In the off chance you are unable to find out, keep on looking higher up on the roof as there’s always a chance of water running down the shingles before coming down in the attic deckers.

Contact Us for East Bay Roof Leak Detection and Roof Leak Repair

Identifying the location of a roof leak isn’t always as easy as it sounds, and if you’re still unable to find the leak’s source, it’s time to call in the pros. The team at Century Roof Tile are Bay Area roofing contractors that can make your life a little (or a lot) easier. We provide the most advanced infrared/thermal imaging roof leak detection and roof leak repair services to fix the problem once and for all. To say good riddance to your roof leak(s), call (888) 233-7548 or contact us online.

In the rainy fall and winter season here in the East Bay, roof leaks are not uncommon. Several methods, including regular roofing inspection and thermal imaging leak detection, can prevent major roof leaks.

The cheapest and most important way to avoid roof leak repair is regular inspection. A once-per-year professional inspection can spot cracked, torn, or curled shingles, blistering or bubbling in a flat roof, mold, and other types of decay.

Infrared Thermal Imaging is a non-destructive, non-invasive option for evaluating roof and ceiling conditions. A Thermal Imaging camera can identify wall studs and ceiling joists with significant temperature variations that indicate an insulation weakness. These spots are vulnerable to leaks. Using ITI lets homeowners know exactly where to regularly inspect for leaks and catch them before they start.

Lastly, indoor inspections identify problem areas. Any gray, yellow, or brown stains, peeling paint, or moisture marks indicate a damaged or leaking roof. It also helps to check the attic; damp rafters are often emblematic of roof damage. A sharp increase in energy bills is also a good indication that heat is escaping through a leaky roof.

Contact Us Today for All of Your Bay Area Roofing Concerns

Do you have concerns about your roofing and possible roof damage? Call Century Roof and Solar today at 888-233-7548 for expert roof service and advice in the Bay Area.

Our East Bay roofing professionals handled a huge number of flat roof maintenance and repair jobs. But why do flat roofs “break down” so often? What can you do to protect your investment, if you’re a landlord, business owner or homeowner?

Image via Duro-Last

First of all, no roof is (or should be) completely flat.

You need some slope to allow water and debris to drain, although the angle of the flush may be quite small. Flat roofs are simple and affordable to build. They reduce the surface area of the building; that means you can save on heating and cooling costs.

But flat roofs come with serious drawbacks.

For instance, they tend to leak more than sloped roofs, since rainwater can pool, and since debris-like branches and leaves can clog up gutters and accelerate the leaking/mildew process.

Waterproof, flat-roof membranes can last up to three decades.

But wear and tear, harsh weather, and bad installation and maintenance can shorten the lifespan of these membranes substantially. Once mildew or other corrosion takes hold, the damage can spread to other areas of the building and lead to very costly reconstruction – as well as to health hazards, like toxic mold.

Whether you’re designing or repairing a flat roof, ensure the following:

• There are multiple outlets to drain the roof;
• You have a system to prevent/inspect the drainage outlets and leaf guards;
• You allow enough space when you install ventilation, chimneys and roof lights;
• You schedule regular inspections of the roof membrane and other critical elements;
• Schedule professional roof leak repair immediately upon discovery of a leak in the roofing structure.

Bay Area Roofing Repair Done Right

The Century Roof and Solar team can introduce you to best practices and help you protect your investment over the long-term. Effective flat roof repair and maintenance can help you save on energy costs and improve your property values. Less-than-effective work can leave you stuck with an astronomical bill and an ongoing headache with your tenants.

Call our Century Roof and Solar team today at 1-888-233-7548  for a free estimate.