Fort Myers, FL – Interior Signs of Roof Leaks or Water Damage | Restoration News

As a homeowner, one of the worst sounds you can hear is the drip, drip, drip of a leaky ceiling. It’s important to know what you should do if that situation does occur. Knowing how to locate a roof leak as quickly as possible and getting it taken care of by professionals like the ones at Spectrum Cleaning & Restoration, can save you from having to face severe water damages and expensive repairs such as treating mold or mildew or having to replace your entire roof. 

Over the past few weeks we’ve talked about finding the roof leak by looking at your home’s exterior factors. If roof issues on your home’s exterior aren’t noticeable, you may see signs of roof leaks inside. Here are some things to look for on the interior of your home. 

Spots on the Ceiling—Water spots on your ceiling are a dead giveaway that you’ve got a leaky roof. They may appear in corners or along seams first before spreading across the entire ceiling. 

The Takeaway: Tracking down the leak is often the most challenging part. If you see spots on your ceiling, inspect the areas closest to the suspected leak to see where water is getting inside. 

Dripping Sounds—If you hear dripping or gurgling water when it rains, rest assured you have a leaky roof. The problem will only get worse so address it while it’s still an easy find and fix.

The Takeaway: You may need to go into your attic while it’s raining to determine the source of the drip. If you can’t fix it immediately, use a bucket or container to catch the water so it doesn’t impact your ceilings or walls. 

Mold or Mildew—Inspect the interior of your house regularly for signs of mold. Pay close attention to the areas around ceiling fans, light fixtures and bathroom vents. 

The Takeaway: If you notice gray, black or green material growing anywhere on the interior of your home, inspect your roof immediately for leaks. 

Unpleasant Smells—Water intrusion will often result in a less than pleasant odor. Even if you can’t see where moisture is collecting, you might be able to smell it. The musty odor could result from wet insulation, drywall or wood somewhere in your home. It can also be a sign that you’ve already got mold or mildew growing in your home.

The Takeaway: Thoroughly inspect your home to determine where moisture is creating a problem. The attic is generally a good place to start your search. 

Poor Attic Ventilation—It gets pretty hot here in Florida, so your attic must be adequately ventilated. Hot air rises, so it will collect in the attic. Without a way to escape, your home is at risk for many problems, including water leaks. First, the hot air can “bake” the roof’s shingles, making them buckle and compromise the integrity of your roof. Second, hot air in the attic can cause your air conditioner to work harder and possibly break down. If your AC unit is located in the attic, mechanical problems can result in water leaks into your home. Third, hot air can cause condensation in your attic, which could drip through your ceilings and cause water damage or lead to the growth of potentially harmful mold and mildew. 

The Takeaway: Monitor the temperature in your attic so you’ll know if you need to improve the airflow in the space. Allowing hot air trapped to stay trapped in your attic puts your roof at risk of leaks over the long-term.

Restoration After Roof Leaks in Fort Myers

If you experience a roof leak, getting the moisture dried is crucial to the health and safety of your home. Spectrum Cleaning & Restoration has the right tools to locate and remediate moisture that you can’t see with your naked eye. Call us today at 239-910-6381, and we’ll respond quickly to address your issues!