Most leaks come from a handful of places, and the stain on the ceiling is rarely directly below the entry point.
Flashing failures
Flashing around chimneys, walls and skylights is where roofs meet something else, and where sealant and metal age first.
Pipe boots and vents
The rubber collar on a plumbing vent cracks in the sun, and a small gap lets water run down the pipe into the house.
Valleys and penetrations
Valleys carry a lot of water. Worn material or poor detailing there leaks quickly, as do nail pops and exposed fasteners.
Worn or damaged roofing
Cracked or missing shingles or tile, and lifted edges after wind, let water reach the underlayment.
Gutters and drainage
Clogged gutters and poor drainage send water back under the edge of the roof or leave it ponding on low-slope sections.
Common questions
Why does it only leak in heavy rain?
Wind-driven rain finds gaps that ordinary rain does not, usually at flashing and edges.
Can I patch it myself?
A temporary patch can slow a leak, but finding the real source matters. Water often travels along rafters before it shows.
