One of the worst fears of a homeowner is hearing a steady drip somewhere in the house. This worrisome noise often is a sign of a leak in your roofing. The problem can be hard to locate and fix, emerging on rainy days and often becoming unmanageable during severe storms. Bel-Aire Home Improvement in Platteville, WI, has a team of trusted pros who handle everything from roofing installation to storm damage repair, and they offer home improvement tips to help you troubleshoot a leaky roof. 

1. Identify the Source

When you locate the spot where the water is entering, you might be tempted to assume it’s the origin of the leak. However, home improvement experts say that's a mistake. The source of a leak often is a worn-out shingle, bad weatherproofing, or some other chink in the house's armor. Water trickles through that opening and travels to a spot where it can drip into your home’s interior. To fix the leak, you must start at the point of the drip and trace the problem to the water’s entry point outside the house. 

2. Provide a Quick Fix

If you know water is penetrating your roofing through a damaged shingle, you could provide a temporary remedy. Purchase a piece of sheet metal, pry up the damaged shingle, and slide the metal underneath it. If necessary, secure the metal sheet with nails. 

3. Conduct a Water Test

If you can’t trace the leak to its source, you can perform a water test. On a dry day, spray your roof with a hose and have someone in the attic monitor the area to see the point where the water enters. When you find the origin of the leak, mark it for repairs with chalk. 

When you have a persistent roof leak, you need a permanent fix. Bel-Aire Home Improvement provides not only exceptional roofing repairs but siding and other home improvement services throughout the Chicagoland area, including southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and eastern Minnesota. For a free estimate, call (608) 348-2381 or contact them on their website, where you’ll find more information about their work, including gutter and window installation.