Wind Driven Rain

After a strong storm many people discover leaks that they were previously unaware of. Stains appear on ceilings and walls which darken as they dry. When diagnosing the area that is causing the leak it is important to consider all possibilities. This includes not only the roof, but also windows, chimneys, AC equipment and other roof top equipment. The biggest culprit for roof leaks other than the roofing system is windows. With time, the sealant around windows wears and wind driven rain can make it to the inside of the house. This is usually the case when a two story house is leaking on the first floor. It is also the case when water marks appear on the walls inside the house but not on the ceiling. If the leaks are discovered after hard rains but not when it rains lightly, the problem is most probably something other than the roof. Tarping the section of the house where the leak appears is a good way to temporarily stop the leak but if AC equipment or other roof top equipment is also covered, the leak source will not be isolated. When tarping the house, keep AC units, chimney’s and other objects uncovered and if the leak still appears, its not the roof!