Rotting at the soffit line can indicate a roof leak.
Replacing a roof can be an expensive job; therefore, you should inspect your roof on an annual basis for the first signs of a roof leak before the exterior and interior damage becomes too extensive. A visual inspection of the roof via a pair of binoculars or a ladder may be enough to tell you where the roof leak originates. You may also have to check for ceiling stains that indicate the location of the roof damage. Does this Spark an idea?
Attic
Inspect your attic for signs of a roof leak that would include damp or moldy spots on the interior beams, water puddles and wet insulation. While many attics have a musty smell, your attic will smell especially musty if mold has set in. Check around any chimneys for water puddles and red streaks where water may have mixed with red brick dust. Water will use any conduit to enter your home, so examine around exhaust fans and where the electrical lines enter your house.
Upstairs Rooms
You'll need to inspect the rooms closest to the roof after the attic. Look in the window wells to ensure that there is no ice buildup from water running off the roof. Look for floor puddles and wet or mold stains on the ceilings and walls. Note whether the ceiling is sagging and if the room has a wet drywall or plaster smell. Look for noticeable wet seams in the ceiling where the drywall tape may be peeling.
Gutters and Roof Line
Gutters can fill up with leaves and ice that prevent drainage of water running off the roof. This water can come from a heavy rainstorm or snow melting on the warm roof. The water collects under the eaves and the roof line where soffits are located, and they begin to rot. A simple ladder inspection of the gutters and roof line will tell you if the roof leak is from an ice dam and melting snow.
Roof Surface
If you suspect that your roof is leaking, do not walk on it as you could fall through rotted roof decking. Use a ladder to look for damaged or missing shingles. Inspect the flashing around chimneys and in the roof valleys to ensure that they are flush to the roof. Examine where antenna and satellite dish cables enter your house to see if these openings are acting as a conduit for water. Look for missing shingle nails.
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