How to find source of a roof leak?

Hi team

Recently there was some severe rainstorm that hit the house, and there was a leak through the ceiling. When I had gone up to the roof space to check where the leak is coming from I could find two potential locations:

One is that the location of the water marks are next to an opening out to the gutter, so I wonder if the water had overflowed in?

Two is also I found these orange stains on the roof under layer, and this sits right above the location where the watermarks are. I just wondering if this could be indicative of a leak as well on the ridgeway?

Any advice would be helpful to guide me through either sealing up the hole to the gutter or to fix up the roof ridge.

Find more posts tagged with

Tools and Materials

Repairing

Plumbing

Comments

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @burpblurpp. It's marvellous to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about roof leaks.

I think you are on the right track with both of those possibilities. If there is a visible gap at the back of the gutter, heavy rain can overflow backwards into the roof space. Many gutters have a lower back edge, so when they fill quickly during a storm the water can spill straight over and run down into the ceiling cavity.

There is also quite a bit of leaf litter inside the roof space, which suggests wind is blowing debris through the same opening that is letting water in. Any gap large enough for leaves will also admit rain during a storm. Sealing that opening and fixing the guttering and ridge above it should help you stop the leak at its source.

The vertical timber you have photographed looks noticeably darker than the surrounding framing. If it feels damp or even just cold to the touch, that suggests moisture is tracking down from a point higher up. The orange staining on the underside of the roof sheet often appears where water has been seeping through slowly, so it could be marking the location of a ridge or sheet joint that needs attention. I would check that ridge area carefully and also make sure the gutters are draining properly with no blockages or backflow.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

burpblurpp

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/60259#Comment_60259

Hi Mitchell

Thank you for much for your reply!

Yes the vertical timber does look darker and I wondered if that would indicate if the water is overflowing from the opening or from the ceiling.

What’s the best way to seal up the gap to the gutter and divert the rain away from entering the house? Could this be a DIY job or for the gutter experts?

I have attached some photos of the gap:

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/92599#Comment_92599

From what I can see, that vertical timber looks most saturated toward the lower section, so the moisture may not necessarily be coming from high up near the ridge @burpblurpp. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact entry point from the photo, but the area you have circled does look like a likely egress. The end of the timber just to the left of your circled section is particularly interesting. If that piece runs back toward the opening near the gutter, water may be tracking along it and then feeding down into the ceiling joists. It is worth following that timber back and looking closely for signs of moisture such as a darker colour, mould or fungal growth. The yellowish patch on the end grain also looks suspicious.

At this stage, I would focus first on the gap near the gutter. The photo does not make it entirely clear whether we are looking at the inside of the gutter or simply an opening into the eaves, but any gap that allows leaves to blow in will also let wind-driven rain in during a storm. That gap needs to be sealed. Expanding foam can work well if it is simply an opening into the roof space, but that needs to be used in combination with exterior flashing, and you also need to understand why water reached that point in the first place. If the gutter is overflowing or not falling correctly toward the downpipe, the problem will keep returning. If you are unsure about gutter fall, it may be worth having a roof plumber take a look. I would start by sealing that opening and clearing or correcting the gutter. If the leak persists after that, you can then work your way further back and inspect the sheet laps or ridge above.

Mitchell

AlanM52

Hi @burpblurpp,

Inspect gutter and roof

Chunks of broken tile or ridge mortar in the gutter likely means water is finding it's way in through holes and gaps somewhere on the roof.

Can you take some photos so we have some idea of the situation up there.

Cheers

Child Item