Roof Leak or Condensation? A Metro Detroit Homeowner’s Guide

Well, Metro Detroit, we’re often locked into another Polar Vortex, which means unseasonably cold weather, heavy snow, and, unfortunately, mysterious stains on ceilings!

The good news is that these issues keep our phones ringing at Kanga Roof. We receive numerous calls from home and business owners across Metro Detroit who believe they’ve sprung a serious roof leak. However, once our certified inspectors investigate, the vast majority of these “leaks” turn out to be simple condensation building up in the home or office.

So how can you, a homeowner in Southeast Michigan, know whether you have a serious roofing issue or if it’s just winter condensation? Knowing the difference can save you time and money on unnecessary service calls. Here are three easy steps to help guide you:

Three Step Guide

• Check Your Furnace Humidifier. This is the most common culprit for perceived roof leaks in cold weather. If you’re like most homeowners, you may have forgotten to adjust the humidifier setting on your furnace and HVAC system. These systems generally have a “winter” and “summer” setting, or an adjustable humidity dial. Crucially, make sure your humidifier is set to low or the “winter” setting. Excess humidity in the air rises to the coldest points—usually the attic or roof sheathing—and condenses back into water, dripping down to mimic a leak. If after 48 hours the “leak” goes away, you can be confident it was just a condensation issue.
• Inspect Your Roof for Visible Damage and Ice Dams. I know it’s freezing outside, but a quick visual inspection can be very telling. If you notice shingles visibly missing, flashing damage, or a major buildup of ice dams along the eaves, this is a red flag. Ice dams in Metro Detroit can force melting snowmelt back under your shingles, causing a genuine roof leak. If the visible exterior damage is significant, then the problem is likely bigger than just condensation and requires professional attention from a qualified Metro Detroit roofing company.
• Use Common Sense: The “Liquid Source” Test. If Metro Detroit hasn’t had any rain or sustained temperatures above freezing in the past week, and there is nothing visibly wrong with the roof, the logical conclusion is that it’s probably not a true roof leak. For a roof to leak, you need an outside source of liquid (rain or snowmelt) penetrating the roof system. If everything on the exterior is frozen solid and there’s no rain or snowmelt entering the system, a typical roof leak is highly unlikely. (Keep in mind, other issues like plumbing leaks can mimic roof damage, so always investigate all possibilities.)

What our Kanga Roof team has found is that about half of all the calls we receive about these alleged winter leaks are solved just by following step one and adjusting down your furnace humidity levels. The better news is that for most homeowners in Metro Detroit, you can handle all three steps without immediately needing a professional roofer.

Now, if you are concerned, or you do not feel comfortable performing any of these three actions, do not worry. Our amazing team of roofing specialists and inspectors is here to help Metro Detroit residents. We will come out, inspect the damage, get into the attic to investigate the source, and if safe, we will get on the roof to determine exactly what is wrong. This way, you can have total peace of mind knowing that your roof is in tip-top shape and no water is leaking in and causing damage to your home in Southeast Michigan.

You can always feel confident in our teams’ inspections because you receive a full detailed written report, photos of everything we find, pricing from our Straightforward Pricing guide, and the only 100% Satisfaction Leak-Free Money Back Guarantee on roof repairs in Metro Detroit. Call your trusted local Metro Detroit roofers right now at 586-566-0308 or go online to schedule your appointment by CLICKING HERE.

I sincerely hope this easy three-step guide helps you differentiate between a true roof leak and common winter condensation in Metro Detroit. As always, I hope you have a Kanga-Rific day!

Sincerely,

Bill Burkhardt, Jr.

VP of Marketing – Owner