Skip to main content
FamilyEducation
FamilyEducation
Family Education

FE-Menu

  • Pregnancy
    • <blank>
      • Pregnancy Tracker
      • Trying to Conceive
      • Signs & Symptoms
      • Pregnancy Health
    • <blank>
      • Baby Names
      • High Risk Pregnancies
      • Preparing for Baby
    • <blank>
      • Concerns & Complications
      • Labor & Delivery
      • Postpartum
  • Baby Names
    • <blank>
      • Browse All Baby Names (A-Z)
      • Top Names for Boys
      • Top Names for Girls
      • Baby Name Generator
    • <blank>
      • Baby Name Lists & Ideas
      • First Names By Origin
      • Browse All Last Names (A-Z)
      • Last Names by Origin
  • Babies
    • <blank>
      • Caring For Your Baby
      • Baby's Health
      • Feeding Your Baby
    • <blank>
      • Your Baby and Sleep
      • Baby's Growth & Development
      • Baby Hygiene
    • <blank>
      • Baby Safety
      • Baby Products
    • <blank>
  • Toddlers
    • <blank>
      • Toddler Growth and Development
    • <blank>
      • Toddler Behavior and Discipline
    • <blank>
      • Your Toddler and Sleep
  • Kids
    • <blank>
      • Health
      • Childhood Development
      • Fitness & Nutrition
      • Childhood Safety
    • <blank>
      • Communicating with Your Kids
      • Childhood Behavior and Discipline
      • Fostering Responsibility
      • Instilling Values & Manners
    • <blank>
      • Childcare
      • Neurodiversity in Kids
      • Adopting Children
  • Teens
    • <blank>
      • Teen Health
      • Teen Puberty & Sex
    • <blank>
      • Behavior & Discipline
      • Teen Social Development
    • <blank>
      • Values & Responsibilities
  • Activities
    • <blank>
      • Printables
      • Indoor Activities
      • Learning Activities
      • Arts and Crafts
      • Performing Arts
      • Food Activities
      • Outdoor Activities
    • <blank>
      • Books
      • TV
      • Movies
      • Online
      • Quizzes
      • Games
      • Celebrities
    • <blank>
      • Parties
      • Travel
      • Toys
      • Holidays
      • Gifts
  • Learning
    • <blank>
      • By Grade
      • By Subject
      • College
      • Preschool
    • <blank>
      • Back to School
      • Study Skills
      • Learning Styles
    • <blank>
      • Homeschooling
      • Parental Involvement
      • Your Child's School
  • Family Life
    • <blank>
      • Mom Life
      • Dad Life
      • Family Relationships
      • Having a Healthy Marriage
      • Divorce
    • <blank>
      • Health & Fitness
      • COVID Resources
      • Managing Your Home
      • Moving Your Family
      • Pets
    • <blank>
      • Family Finances
      • Work
      • Families and Food
  • NewslettersNewsletters
    Newsletters

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Family Life
  3. Managing Your Home
  4. Home Improvements and Maintenance
  5. Diagnosing A Roof Problem

Diagnosing a Roof Problem

If you fear you have a leak in your roof, read how to diagnose the problem.
  • facebook share icon
  • pin
  • twitter share icon
  • email share icon
  • Print page icon

In this article, you will find:

  • Outside assessment
  • Inside assessment

Outside assessment

Diagnosing a Roof Problem

A Fine Mess

Wait for dry weather before examining exterior roofing. If you can't wait, don't risk serious injury by clamoring up on the roof during a storm. Use a pair of binoculars for a close-up look.

Knowing what to do about your leaky roof requires determining the cause of the leak. There are two ways to do this assessment: from the outside and on the inside.The physical causes of roof damage, such as toppled antennas or tree limbs poking through shingles, are pretty obvious. But this isn't always the case. The things that cause roof damage can be very subtle. They can also vary quite a bit depending on the type of roof you have.

There are two ways to view roof damage from the outside—up close and personal, which means climbing up on a ladder, or at arm's length via binoculars. You'll get a better picture of what's going on if you can get on the roof, but it isn't always necessary. Also, you don't have to do it yourself. You can hire an expert, such as a roofing contractor, to do it for you. If you decide to climb up on your roof, be sure to use a solid ladder and don't go it alone. Station someone at the foot of the ladder in case you need assistance.

Here's what you might see when you go up on your roof:

  • Uplifting or splitting of the roofing membrane (the material that covers theroof) or decking on flat roofs.

  • Punctures in the roof caused by debris hitting it.

  • Cracking or other age-related deterioration. This is typically most apparent on southern exposures, and especially on wood or composition shingles.

  • Damaged roof-mounted vents or air-conditioning equipment.

  • Stripped ridge tiles, or missing or broken tiles on concrete or clay roofs.

  • Pitting or pock marking on asphalt shingles or membranes. This can be caused by hail or from toxic substances in seedpods.

  • Stripped or torn shingles on asphalt, fiberglass, or cedar roofs.

  • Algae growth from poor drainage.

  • Previous roof repairs.

  • Rotted or rusted decking.

  • Worn or rusted flashings.

  • Wrinkled roofing membrane.

  • Holes from missing shingles or other roofing materials.

If you find the exact area of damage, poke a stick or piece of wire through the hole so you can see it from the inside.

Next: Inside assessment

What's hot

  • Eye color genetic chart Family LifeWhat Color Will My Baby'…
  • 10 Signs of Divorce Family Life10 Signs Your Marriage is Over
  • woman standing on scale Family LifeWhat's a Normal BMI for…
  • Young girl eating a oatmeal with berries after a workout Family LifeCalorie Intake for Weight…
NewslettersNewsletters
Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning.
Family Education
FamilyEducation does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Your use of the site indicates your agreement to be bound by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Information on our advertising guidelines can be found here.

FE Footer

  • Newsletter Center
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Editorial Team
  • Expert Panel
  • Cookie Policy
  • Site Map
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info (for CA Residents)
sandbox learning logo
Family Education is part of the Sandbox Learning family of educational reference sites for parents, teachers, and students. 

factmonster logoinfoplease logoTeacherVision logo

sandbbox logo
©2022 Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved. Sandbox Learning is part of Sandbox & Co., a digital learning company.