How do you fix roof leakage?
Step 1: Protect the inside today
Catch the water, move belongings, and turn off power to any light fixture that is dripping. Photograph the stains and anything damaged, with dates, because those photos matter if a storm caused the leak and you file a claim.
Step 2: Locate the entry point
Note when it leaks. A leak in every rain points to a hole or failed part. A leak only in wind-driven rain points to flashing or siding. A leak only in long, heavy downpours often points to a valley or a gutter backing up under the edge. Then check the roof directly above and uphill of the stain: pipe boots, chimney and wall flashing, valleys, skylights, and any missing or creased shingles.
Step 3: Repair the component, not the symptom
- Cracked pipe boot: replace the boot.
- Loose or rusted flashing: reset or replace the metal and relay the shingles over it.
- Wind-lifted or missing shingles: replace them and hand-seal the tabs.
- Nail pops: pull and refasten beside the old hole.
- A worn-out roof leaking in several places: a repair will just chase the next leak, so get a replacement price.
Step 4: Verify and dry out
Check the attic during the next heavy rain. Dry wet insulation and drywall within a day or two to head off mold, and use a stain-blocking primer before repainting the ceiling. If the stain comes back, the source was missed or there is a second one.
Related: common leak causes, pipe boot leaks, and signs you need a new roof.