You may notice water dripping or dark stains start to form on your ceiling.
Roof leak white ceiling.
Water stains on the ceiling around your bath fan may indicate a leak coming from the vent cap on your roof but condensation is the more likely culprit.
Use a screwdriver and push it into the center of the location of the leak.
In the photo you can still see signs of an ice dam.
Identify and repair the root cause.
The soffit that meets the roof is one of the toughest areas to waterproof.
Puncture the ceiling with a screwdriver to drain the leak.
Sometimes the roof water leak is more subtle showing up as a very small spot.
If the roof is to blame find and repair crumbling shingles compromised flashing the weatherproofing material.
Dig out any cracked or dry caulking that isn t properly sealing adjoining surfaces and replace with silicone caulk.
Brown or gray ceiling discoloration visible mold growth usually dark green brown or black a musty odor near the area of the roof leak.
Sometimes it s obvious to see that you have a leaking roof.
If bath fan ducting isn t properly insulated the moist air from your house will condense inside the duct.
An ice dam occurs when snow melts and the water freezes when it hits the colder edges of your roof.
Replace any missing or rotted siding above the step flashing on dormers.
This will cause the water to drain from the ceiling and can help relieve additional water damage.
If the roof has been leaking for a while there may be visible signs of long term water intrusion.
These could include mold or mildew growth stained wood or water damaged insulation.
This roof leaks during the snowy part of winter and during storms in the summer certainly due to poor flashing.
Here s how to better insulate your bath fan.
Look out for the following.
But it s equally important to fix the roof leak as soon as possible to prevent more damage.
Create the hole away from the ceiling s framing boards.
To identify a roof leak you should look for the obvious factors like missing or damaged shingles roof tiles torn flashings or loose screws on the exterior of the roof.
Once you identify the leak have someone fix it before you intend to remove the water stains so that the stains do not return.
Tools and supplies you will need drywall saw for removal of ceiling surface flashlight various wrenches channel locks pliers and adjustable wrenches are typical replacement pipes and fittings as required plumber s putty thread seal tape silicone caulk grout and grout sealer wax ring for toilet.
If it looks to be a leaky radiator search out and fix the radiator body valve pipe or bleed point where cold air.