How to Check for a Leak In a Roof at the Dormer

Roof leaks can provide a challenge to pinpoint since the water does not always flow straight through the roof, straight down in the attic and to the ceiling below. If you have a water stain on your ceiling in a certain place, you need to look directly above the stain as well as up higher on the roof, since the water may run down the rafters or other surfaces before leaking into your house. Testing with a garden hose can help recreate the leak, allowing you to detect and correct the problem.

Ladder
Garden hose
Pry bar
Silicone caulk
Putty knife
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Climb onto your house’s roof, using a ladder, on a warm and dry day so the roof’s surface is not slippery. Run water around your house’s dormer using a garden hose, looking for areas where the water stops and does not flow down the roof. Have an assistant watch from inside the house where leaks have come through before to confirm if any water starts to leak.
- 2
  Lift up or remove any shingles around areas where you suspect the water is leaking, using a small pry bar. Inspect the surface under the shingles for signs of water damage, including mold growth.
- 3
  Examine the dormer’s surface for any missing or damaged siding. Apply silicone caulk to any damaged areas and install small sections of siding to patch any holes.
- 4
  Inspect the metal flashing between the dormer and the roof’s surface, looking for signs of damage that can let water leak in. Probe the caulk seal between the flashing, dormer and roof shingles with a putty knife to see if the existing caulk is damaged or not adhering correctly.
- 5
  Nail down any shingles you removed before. Strip out any damaged or worn caulk with the putty knife. Apply a thick bead of silicone caulk to all of the seams between the shingles, flashing and the dormer.

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