Symptoms
- Dripping or running water during or right after rain
- Wet ceiling or wall spreading while it's raining
- Sound of dripping inside a wall or attic
Likely causes
- CommonDamaged or missing shinglesWind or age can lift or tear shingles, letting rain under the layer below.
- CommonFailed flashing around a vent, chimney, or wallFlashing seals joints and is a frequent leak point once it rusts or the sealant cracks.
- PossibleClogged gutter backing water under the roof edgeStanding water at the eave can back up under shingles.
- PossibleIce dam forcing water backwardIn cold climates, melting snow can refreeze at the eave and push water uphill under shingles.
What to do
- Move furniture and put a bucket or tarp under the drip to protect floors.
- If the ceiling is bulging with trapped water, poke a small hole at the low point with a screwdriver to let it drain in a controlled way.
- Note where the water is dripping inside; water often travels along rafters before dripping, so the entry point is usually higher and further upslope.
- Once it's dry and safe, look from the ground or a ladder for missing, curled, or torn shingles, or damaged flashing near the suspected area.
- Photograph any visible damage for insurance if the cause was a storm.
- Cover an obvious hole with a tarp weighted down at the edges until it can be properly repaired.
- Schedule a roof repair promptly; a small active leak gets worse and can rot the roof deck.
Tools and parts
- Bucket or container
- Tarp
- Ladder
- Flashlight
Roof tarpSearch: “waterproof roof tarp kit”
When to call a pro
Call a licensed roofer for the actual repair, and a water-damage restoration company if ceilings, insulation, or walls got soaked.
Safety
Use caution
Do not climb onto a wet or steep roof; work from a ladder or the ground and let a roofer handle the roof surface itself.