Roof Leaks: How to Repair Them With the Help of Your Roofing Contractor
Where roof leaks really come from, what to do the moment you see one, and how a roofer tracks down and fixes the source.
A water stain on the ceiling is one of the most stressful things a homeowner can find. The good news is that most roof leaks come from a handful of predictable sources, and a good roofing contractor can usually find and fix them without replacing the whole roof. Here is how the process works.
What to do right away
- Contain the water. Put a bucket under drips and move furniture and electronics out of the way.
- Relieve a bulging ceiling. If water is pooling in a sagging spot, a small hole at the lowest point lets it drain into a bucket instead of bringing the drywall down. Stay safe and keep away from electrical fixtures.
- Take photos of the stain, the water and anything damaged, inside and out (from the ground).
- Stay off the roof, especially when it is wet.
- Call a licensed roofer to inspect and, if needed, provide a temporary dry-in.
The most common sources of roof leaks
- Pipe boots and vents: rubber collars around plumbing vents dry out and crack in Florida sun.
- Flashing: at walls, chimneys, skylights and valleys, flashing loosens, rusts or was never sealed properly.
- Missing or lifted shingles after wind.
- Cracked or slipped tiles, and worn underlayment beneath tile roofs.
- Flat roof seams and ponding water on low-slope sections, porches and lanais.
- Clogged gutters backing water up under the roof edge.
How a roofer finds the real source
Water rarely enters directly above the stain. It can run along the underlayment, rafters or decking for several feet before it drips. A good roofer inspects the roof covering and every flashing detail and penetration above and uphill of the stain, checks the attic for the water's path, and, where needed, uses a controlled water test to confirm the entry point. Patching the spot directly above a stain without tracing it is the most common reason a "repaired" leak comes back.
Typical repairs
- Replacing cracked pipe boots and resealing vents
- Re-flashing walls, chimneys, skylights or valleys
- Replacing and sealing down missing or damaged shingles
- Replacing broken tiles and repairing the underlayment beneath them
- Repairing flat roof membrane seams and fixing drainage
- Replacing any rotted decking found at the leak
When a leak means it is time for a new roof
If leaks keep coming back in different places, the decking is soft in several areas, or the underlayment has failed across a tile roof, repairs may just be postponing a replacement. A good contractor will tell you honestly. Our guide on whether to repair or replace a Florida roof covers the factors, including Florida's 25% roof rule.
Insurance
If the leak was caused by a storm, report it to your insurer promptly and keep your photos and repair records. Your agent can explain what your policy covers.
Get the leak fixed properly
Fair and Square Roofing provides roof repair across Lee and Collier counties, starting with a free inspection to find the real source of the leak. Call (239) 503-0609.
Related questions
What should I do if my roof is damaged in a storm?
First, stay safe and keep off the roof. Take photos of any visible damage from the ground and of any leaks inside. If water is coming in, move belongings and catch drips. Then call us at (239) 503-0609 to schedule an inspection, and contact your insurance company to report the damage. Our post-storm roof inspection checklist covers what to look for.
Should I repair or replace my roof?
Repair makes sense when the damage is limited to one area and the rest of the roof still has good life left: a few missing shingles, a cracked tile section, a failed pipe boot or loose flashing. Replacement usually makes more sense when leaks keep coming back in different places, the decking is soft in several areas, the underlayment has reached the end of its life, or the roof is old enough that your insurer is asking about it. After the free inspection we tell you which one we would choose if it were our house.
Written by the Fair and Square Roofing team, a State Certified Roofing Contractor (CCC1331318) serving Lee and Collier counties.
