How to Detect “Invisible” Leaks

A leaking roof can have a devastating impact on your property. That’s why it’s so important to see to any leaks as soon as you spot them. But what happens when you can’t spot them? That’s what’s known as an “invisible” leak – and it could lead to big problems for your property.

This post discusses the impact of “invisible” leaks, how they differ from those you can see and how to spot them before it’s too late.

What are invisible leaks?

As the name suggests, invisible leaks are leaks in your roof which you can’t see. Normally, you spot water dripping or pouring from the ceiling or down the walls. With an invisible leak, however, water will be making its way into your property without you noticing.

Why does this matter? In short, it could be causing serious damage. A roof leak simply means water getting through your property’s roof covering. Even though you can’t see the water and it’s not actually getting into your living space, it could be seriously affecting different aspects of your property:

• The strength of wooden rafters and ceiling joists will be compromised by water, which could lead to rot and decay over time. As the internal structure of your roof, these elements could cost a lot to repair once the rot has begun to take course.
• Leaking water in any part of your home provides the ideal moist conditions for mould growth. As well as your roof space and walls, this can eventually get into your vents and spread through your home into carpets and the furniture.
• The biggest problem in terms of danger and risk is with electrics. If water gets through the roof and into walls, it could make its way into areas with electric wiring. When water interferes with these wires, it could easily cause a fire, all without any clear visible signs of a leak.

Spotting leaks

These issues can all arise from visible leaks too. So, the first check on your property is whether there are any visible leaks. For the most part, these checks can be completed by yourself. Aside from water dripping, check for dark patches on the ceiling or walls. Look specifically around the corners and top of the room as this is where a lot of leaks find their way through.

Invisible leaks, on the other hand, are invisible from the inside of your property. The water is leaking into the roof but hasn’t made its way into your living space. To check for these, you need a thorough external inspection on the outside of your roof. Don’t attempt this yourself.

Firstly, because you will put yourself in danger and could damage your roof by walking on it without training. Also, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to spot problem areas in the same way as a professional roofer. You may complete the inspection thinking everything is fine on your roof, while the problem continues to develop.

Identifying invisible leaks

Roofers will start by checking the usual problem areas on your roof, where objects protrude and valleys where two roof planes join. Whether it’s a skylight, chimney or air vent, it provides a break in the roof where water can get in.

That’s why roofs have flashing on these areas. It’s important to check the flashing is correctly installed, still in place and in a good condition.

The rest of your roof will also need to be assessed, looking for any signs of damage or anything above normal wear and tear. This is where a roofer’s experience and judgement come into play. While a cracked tile may look innocent, the damage beneath may reveal a lot more.

If a tile is missing, cracked or out of place, it has the potential to let water into the roof. When it’s left to fester, this damage can develop to a large defect in the roof. A bit of searching can easily identify this damage, but if required, roofers can also conduct a water test at any points of entry.

When to check

The next issue is when you should check for leaks. For visible leaks, you can simply call a roofer when you spot them. However, with invisible leaks, they could be occurring at any given time. Don’t worry, you don’t need to have your roof inspected every month to avoid major problems.

A good rule of thumb is to have your roof inspected every year, or every 6 months if it’s an older roof. On a thorough, professional inspection, your roof will be checked for any existing damage or emerging problems. Needless to say, the earlier you catch it, the easier it will be to fix.

Can we help?

DPR Roofing is a company you can trust for everything from domestic inspections to commercial roofing repairs. All our roofers are fully trained and accredited, with invaluable experience in the roofing industry. Whether you’re worried about water ingress, or just want to arrange an annual inspection, we’re always happy to help.