Finding a water leak
Water runs downhill and along framing before it shows up. Where you see the stain is rarely where it gets in.
The short version
- Start above and uphill of the damage. Roof penetrations, front and rear caps, window tops, slide toppers.
- Check every sealant joint for cracks, gaps and pulled edges. Press on it. Old sealant that's hard or lifting is suspect.
- Water-test from the bottom up. Wet one area at a time and wait before moving higher, or you won't know which spot leaked.
- A moisture meter finds wet wood and soft spots before you can see them.
Shop tip
Push gently on the walls and ceiling around a stain. Soft spots mean the wood behind is wet.
Try it on a service call
Put the lesson to work on a hands-on troubleshooting case.