Roof leak detection and repair in Baltimore
We find where the water is getting in and fix that. Attic checks, roof surface, flashing, and flat-roof seams.
Leaking right now? See what to do in the next hour. Water coming through the ceiling? See roof, plumbing, or AC.
I'm often up on a roof, so a text usually reaches me fastest, but call anytime.
To find a roof leak, we start where the water shows up and work backward, because the stain is rarely right under the opening. We check the flashing at chimneys, walls and vents, the valleys, missing shingles, and flat-roof seams, and if there's an attic hatch handy, we may take a quick look where the water shows. Then we fix the actual source and show you pictures.
How do you find where a roof leak is coming from?
We trace the water from the stain back to where it gets in. A stain on the ceiling is the last place water shows up, not the first place it got in. We look at the roof from outside first and check flashing, shingles, valleys, and flat-roof seams.
What you get is a careful look, pictures of what we find, and a repair aimed at the real source.
If it only leaks in a hard or windy rain, here's why a roof leaks only in heavy rain.
What does roof leak repair include?
Leak repair means fixing the spot where water gets past the roofing, then checking that the path has dried out.
Inside clues
Ceiling stains, plus a quick attic look if there's a hatch handy.
Flashing and penetrations
Chimneys, vents, skylights, walls.
Shingles and valleys
Missing tabs, lifted shingles, clogged valleys.
Flat roofs
Open seams, blisters, and failed patches.
Repair
Fix the source, then confirm the path dried out.
Roof leak questions
Why is my roof leak not directly above the stain?
Water usually gets in at one spot, then runs along the roof deck or a rafter before it drips. On sloped roofs the opening is often a few feet uphill from the stain. That's why we trace it on the roof, not just from the ceiling.
What are the most common places a roof leaks?
Most leaks I find are at flashing around chimneys, walls, vents and skylights. Next are cracked rubber boots on vent pipes, missing shingles, clogged valleys, and open seams or clogged drains on flat roofs. If the drip is around a skylight, here's why skylights leak and how to tell a leak from condensation. A stain near a bathroom is often the vent pipe. Here's how to tell if the vent pipe boot is leaking.
Do you need to get on the roof to find a leak?
Usually, yes. We get up on the roof whenever it's safe, because most leaks are found by hand at the flashing. If a roof is too steep or too tall to walk, I photograph it up close with the drone first. I'm an FAA-licensed drone pilot. See drone roof inspection.
Will you repair the leak on the same visit?
When the fix is clear and we have the materials, yes. Bigger repairs, like rebuilding flashing at a chimney or replacing soft decking, get scheduled. Either way you get a price before work starts.
What if it's the chimney?
We fix chimney flashing and masonry too. See chimney flashing.
How do I get a price?
Call or text 443-900-4815 with pictures of the stain and the roof.
Related services
Roof flashing repair
Chimneys, walls, vents, skylights.
Shingle replacement
Missing or damaged shingles.
Roof repair hub
All roof repairs.
Drone roof inspection
For roofs too steep or tall to walk.
Shingles blew off?
What to do today, before the next rain.
Finding a roofer
How to check a Maryland MHIC license.
Want this looked at?
Call or text 443-900-4815 with your address and a few pictures.
