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Have a roof leak?

A leak is a repair problem first. Most leaks start at flashings, valleys and penetrations, not in the shingles themselves.

Roof-life assessment

What you’re seeing

  • Ceiling stains: Brown rings or spots on ceilings, often after storms
  • In the attic: Damp insulation, stained decking or daylight through the boards
  • Around fixtures: Water near chimneys, vents, skylights and walls

What causes it

Water takes the easiest path. Failed caulk, cracked pipe boots, lifted flashing and clogged valleys let it in long before the shingles themselves give out.

See the seven-stage aging loop

Where leaks start

Pipe boots, flashing where the roof meets a wall, and ridge vents: the joints where water gets in first.

Can preservation help?

Repair first, then preserve

Preservation doesn’t fix leaks. The leak is found and repaired first, in the tune-up. If the decking underneath is soft or rotted, that has to be replaced, and preservation may not be the right call.

  1. Stop the damageCatch the water and photograph where it shows up
  2. Repair the sourceFlashings, boots and valleys repaired in the tune-up
  3. Then decideOnce it’s fixed, an assessment says whether preservation fits