A Case of Mistaken Identity: Leaks in Your Home That Could (Secretly) Be Coming from Your Roof

Whenever a homeowner sees water in an unexpected or unwanted place in their home, panic is usually the first response. After all, it's common knowledge that water damage, even in small amounts, can be responsible for long-term issues like mold and mildew, degradation of materials (like wallboard and studs), and even destroy large portions of your home over the years. Because of this, water leaks are a frequent culprit of emergency calls to plumbers or contractors, and while they are often the right people to call, sometimes a leak might not be as it appears.

Here are some common household issues and leaks that just might (unexpectedly) be coming from your roof:

Moisture Damage Above A Shower or Bathtub

While it's easy to immediately blame the wet environment (which more often than not is accurate), damaged drywall in a bathroom or area exposed to frequent moisture might not always be coming from the inside. Sagging, cracking, water staining, etc. could be coming from moisture damage tricking down from a hidden leak in your roof. Moisture can drip and eventually find its way through attic flooring and/or insulation and travel down to the ceiling below. If it's a small leak, it can take time for the damage to present itself, and might not look like a catastrophic flood that you'd expect from a roof leak.

Water Stains Under Bathroom Floors

Again, while the most likely culprit is a leaking pipe, shower floor/drain, or poorly installed materials in a bathroom, water staining on the ceiling below any upstairs bathrooms (or kitchens for that matter) could actually be due to a roof issue if you come up short on answers after all other contractors have taken a look. If your roof is leaking, water won't always make a straight trip downward. It will take the path of least resistance, and depending on the setup in your attic or the space directly under your roof, it could end up traveling to an outside wall or along pipes/ductwork and make it's way down to your ceiling. Again, this scenario isn't the most likely, but it is possible, and important to know.

Floor Leaks

If you find water on the floor but no damage on the ceiling, it can't possibly be from your roof...can it? Actually, it can. As mentioned above, water will take the easiest path downward thanks to gravity, so if you have a roof leak, specifically if it's near an exterior wall, the water could in fact come down and find it's way out along floor boards in the lowest level of your home. Mistakenly identified as a pipe leaking in the wall, or worse, a cracked foundation leaking up through the floor, these sneaky leaks could cost you a lot in exploratory work, which is why you need to know to call in the pros to check the roof before you start cutting into walls and ceilings.

The best way to make sure your roof is in the best shape possible, and unlikely to be the culprit of surprise leaks, is by investing in annual roof inspections and maintenance. By getting a yearly "check-up", you don't have damage going unnoticed for long periods of time, and anything that does go wrong with your roof can be repaired before it leads to bigger problems on the interior of your house. EZ Roofing Systems has all of your needs covered, from quick and efficient inspection, diagnostic and repair services, to full roof re-do and installation. Give us a call for your estimate!