5 min read
The Early Signs of a Roof Leak (Before the Ceiling Stain)
By the time there's a stain on the ceiling, water has been traveling for a while. These are the earlier signals.
A ceiling stain is a late symptom. Water usually enters at a roof penetration, runs along the underside of the decking or down a rafter, and appears somewhere else entirely. If you catch it earlier, the repair is smaller.
Earlier signs worth acting on
- Damp or compressed insulation in the attic, especially near chimneys, vents, or skylights
- Dark staining on the underside of roof decking or along rafters
- A musty smell in the attic or upstairs closets
- Peeling or bubbling paint on an upstairs wall or ceiling edge
- Granules collecting in gutters, indicating shingle wear
- Daylight visible around a penetration when you're in the attic
Where leaks actually start
In our experience the usual suspects are pipe boots whose rubber gasket has dried and cracked, flashing that is corroded or was never installed correctly, skylight units and their surrounding flashing, damaged or missing shingles, and gutters clogged badly enough to back water under the roofing.
If water is coming in right now
Contain it inside, and call us. If roof damage leaves your home exposed to the weather, we can provide emergency roof tarping to help protect the property until permanent repairs can be completed. We aim to schedule many roof repairs within the same week we are contacted, depending on weather, project requirements, and current scheduling.
Want us to look at your roof?
Free inspection with photos of whatever we find, and an honest recommendation — repair, maintenance, or replacement.