A drip from the ceiling is stressful. The good news: most roof leaks start in one spot and can be fixed without a new roof. Here is what to do first, in order.
In the first hour
- Stay safe. If water is near a light, a fan or an outlet, turn off that room's breaker. Do not go on the roof, wet or dry.
- Catch the water. Put a bucket or a trash can under the drip, with a towel in it so the splash is quiet.
- Move your things. Pull furniture, rugs and electronics away from the wet spot.
- Watch the ceiling. If the drywall bulges with water, it can come down all at once. Stand clear. A small hole poked in the low point of the bulge lets the water drain into the bucket in a controlled way.
- Take photos. Photograph the ceiling, the floor and anything that got wet, with the date on them.
Find where it starts
Water runs along the wood before it drips, so the leak on the roof is often a few feet away from the spot on your ceiling. If you can get into the attic safely, take a flashlight during the day and look above the wet spot for:
- Wet or dark wood, or a drip line on a rafter.
- Daylight showing through.
- Wet insulation.
The most common leak spots on a North Texas roof are:
- Pipe boots. The rubber collars around the pipes crack in the sun.
- Flashing. The metal where the roof meets a wall or a chimney comes loose.
- Valleys. The low lines where two slopes meet carry a lot of water.
- Missing or lifted shingles after wind.
Is it really the roof?
In Texas, many air conditioners sit in the attic. Each one has a drain pan and a drain line. If the line clogs, the pan spills over and water comes through the ceiling. That looks just like a roof leak. If the drip shows up on a dry, hot day when the AC is running, check the AC first.
A leak around a bathroom fan or a skylight can also be the part itself, not the roof around it.
Repair or new roof?
One leak in one spot on a sound roof is a roof repair. Leaks in more than one room, or a roof that is worn out all over, point to a replacement. Our post on repair or replacement goes deeper.
What to do next
Call Legacy Roofing at (817) 602-2057. We are based in Crowley and open Monday to Saturday, 7 am to 9 pm. We find where the leak starts, show you a photo, and tell you what fixing it costs before we start.
