Roof repair
Roof leak repair
Roof leak repair finds where water is actually getting through — usually flashing, a pipe boot, a valley or wind-lifted shingles — fixes that entry point, and replaces any wet or rotted decking and insulation below it. The stain on your ceiling is rarely directly under the hole.
- Typical time
- Usually a few hours.
- Repair or replace
- Repair the source; replace if leaks keep appearing in new places.
Water runs down the decking and along rafters before it drips, so a stain in the hallway can come from a pipe boot six feet uphill. Wind-driven rain from Gulf storms also pushes water sideways under shingles and flashing that stay dry in ordinary rain.
A roofer checks the attic during or right after rain when possible, traces the water trail, and then repairs the source. Fixing only the spot above the stain is the most common reason leaks come back.
Roof Leak Repair at a glance
- What it is
- Roof leak repair finds where water is actually getting through — usually flashing, a pipe boot, a valley or wind-lifted shingles — fixes that entry point, and replaces any wet or rotted decking and insulation below it.
- Service category
- Roof Repair
Signs you need roof leak help
- Brown ring or bubble on a ceiling
- Drips during heavy or wind-driven rain only
- Damp insulation or dark streaks on attic decking
- Musty smell in closets on outside walls
- Peeling paint near the top of walls
Quick answers
Roof Leak Repair: the short version
How long roof leak repair takes
Usually a few hours.
When roof leak can wait, and when it can't
Within a day or two; same day for active dripping.
Fix or replace roof leak?
Repair the source; replace if leaks keep appearing in new places.
Why roof leak happens
Flashing, pipe boots, valleys and wind-lifted shingles.
The work
What the roofer does
- 1
Trace the leak
Attic and roof inspected to follow the water path to the entry point.
- 2
Repair the source
Flashing resealed or replaced, boots swapped, shingles replaced, valley rebuilt as needed.
- 3
Replace damaged decking
Soft or delaminated decking under the leak is cut out and replaced.
- 4
Confirm
Water test where practical, photos of the repair, and advice on interior drying.
What moves the price of roof leak repair
Depends on the leak source and any decking or insulation damage.
- Source of the leak
- Decking or insulation damage
- Roof pitch and access
- Shingle matching
Before you call
Safe first steps: roof leak
Safe to do yourself
- •Put a bucket under the drip and move furniture
- •Relieve a bulging ceiling with a small hole into a bucket
- •Photograph the ceiling and attic
Stop and get professional help if
- •Don't go on the roof in rain or wind
- •Don't caulk over flashing from the outside and call it fixed
Roof Leak Repair: common questions
Why does my roof only leak in some storms?
Wind-driven rain pushes water sideways under shingles, flashing and vents that stay dry in straight-down rain. Leaks that appear only with wind from one direction usually point to that side of the roof.
Can a roof leak cause mold?
Yes. Wet decking and insulation in a hot, humid attic can grow mold within days. Fix the leak quickly and dry or replace wet materials.
Service area
Roof Leak Repair across the Golden Triangle
Related
Services often paired with roof leak repair
Roof Flashing Repair
Flashing is the metal that seals the joints where a roof meets a wall, chimney, dormer or valley.
Learn more
Pipe Boot & Roof Vent Repair
A pipe boot is the rubber collar that seals plumbing vent pipes through the roof.
Learn more
Emergency Roof Repair
Emergency roof repair stops active water entry as quickly as possible — patching or tarping a hole, securing lifted roofing, or removing a fallen limb — so permanent repairs can be scheduled safely.
Learn more
Call about a roof leak
Flashing, pipe boots, valleys and wind-lifted shingles.