The Signs Your Roof Is Leaking

The quickest way to know if your roof is leaking is to look up. When you see one or more stains on the ceiling, that is almost always an indication of a roof leak. Sometimes, it’s a build-up of condensation from an AC unit or an overflowing AC pan in the attic. Sometimes, it’s a compromised seam in a water line in the attic. Most of the time when you see a stain on the ceiling, your roof is leaking. Or worse, the stain becomes a bubble that starts filling up with water. If you see signs of roof leaks…

Go into your attic, travel to the area above the stain in your ceiling, and look for the following:

• Roof penetrations with water stains 
• Nails or screws with water dripping
• Plywood decking seams that are wet
• Areas on the trusses that are wet or stained
• Areas on the plywood decking that are stained 
• Areas in the insulation that show signs of being wet

What Should I Do When My Roof Is Leaking?

A tarp can be a good temporary solution. Buy one at Home Depot, Lowes, or wherever your search engine suggests. In addition to a tarp, buy some plastic cap nails to fasten it to your roof. There are other more secure tarp installation methods, but this is a simple one. Make sure to install the tarp starting over the leak area and extending up and over the top of the roof ridge above the leak area. This will help in preventing the rainwater from running under the tarp you install. Please note that tarps can easily be blown off by wind, so do not rely on them for too long, and be sure to check them often. 
There are other methods for temporarily addressing leaks that depend on the type of roof you have. They include roof cement, certain types of caulk, and silicone-based sealants, among other things. Getting on a roof requires several safety precautions, including but not limited to, always having a person on the ground to help. At the very least, tell someone else what you are doing, when, and where so they can make sure you are safe.