Leak Detection Specialists
Most roof leaks aren't where they appear to be. Water enters at one point and travels 10–20 feet before dripping inside. We trace every leak to its true source — then fix it permanently. Licensed contractors in 40+ US cities.
Free Leak Detection & Repair Estimate
Free inspection · Written estimate · 30-min response
Click on the part of the roof diagram that corresponds to where your leak is appearing — we'll show you the most likely source, warning signs, and repair approach.
Click a roof section to diagnose your leak
Tap any teal dot on the diagram above
Select any teal dot on the roof diagram to see the most likely leak sources, warning signs, typical repair approach, and cost estimate for that area.
Chimney flashing fails where the chimney meets the roof slope. Step flashing, counter flashing, and the saddle (cricket) behind the chimney are all common failure points. Caulk-only repairs fail — proper flashing requires metal integration with the roofing system.
Signs of chimney flashing failure
How we fix it
Remove old flashing, install new step flashing integrated with shingles and counter flashing embedded in chimney mortar. Cricket (saddle) installed behind wide chimneys to divert water.
Skylights fail at the curb flashing, head flashing, or the seal between the frame and glass. Many skylight leaks are actually condensation from temperature differentials — not water infiltration. Our inspection determines the true cause.
Warning signs
How we fix it
Re-flash curb and head flashing with new metal. Replace sealant around frame. For condensation issues, we improve attic ventilation around the skylight to equalize temperature.
Every plumbing vent, exhaust vent, and gas appliance flue that penetrates the roof has a rubber or neoprene boot collar. These degrade in UV exposure and crack, typically after 10–15 years, causing leaks around the pipe base.
Warning signs
How we fix it
Remove old deteriorated boot, install new high-quality pipe boot collar (flexible neoprene or metal), seal properly to the roofing surface. Usually a 2-hour repair done in a single visit.
Ridge cap shingles sit at the very peak where both roof slopes meet. They take more wind and UV exposure than any other part of the roof. Cracked, lifted, or missing ridge caps allow water to enter at the highest point and run all the way down.
Warning signs
How we fix it
Remove all compromised ridge cap shingles, inspect and repair underlying ridge board, install new dimensional ridge cap properly sealed and nailed. Full ridge replacement typically takes 3–5 hours.
Clogged or improperly pitched gutters cause water to back up under the roofline. In cold climates, ice dams form when warm attic air melts snow at the roof peak — the meltwater freezes at the cold eave, forcing water under shingles.
Warning signs
How we fix it
Install ice-and-water shield underlayment at eaves (3–6 ft minimum), repair or replace fascia and soffit if damaged, clean and re-hang gutters at proper pitch, improve attic ventilation to prevent future ice dams.
Cracked, missing, or cupped shingles allow water beneath the protective layer. Wind lifts shingles from the edges. Hail bruises and splits them. UV exposure causes granule loss and brittleness over time. Any breach allows water in.
Warning signs
How we fix it
Inspect surrounding shingles for additional hidden damage, remove all affected shingles plus an adequate border, install new matching shingles properly nailed and sealed. If damage is widespread, full section or full replacement may be recommended.
Valleys are where two roof slopes meet in a "V". They carry more water per square foot than any other roof area. Open metal valley flashing, closed-cut valleys with woven shingles, and W-metal valleys all require different repair approaches.
Warning signs
How we fix it
Remove old valley flashing and damaged shingles along the valley line. Install new W-metal valley flashing over fresh underlayment. Re-shingle with proper valley cut technique. Seal all shingle edges to flashing.
Our licensed contractors are trained to diagnose and repair every type of roof leak — from the most common to the most obscure.
Source #1
Failed step flashing, counter flashing, and roof-to-wall transitions. Involved in the majority of all residential leaks. Caulk-only repairs fail — metal is required.
~40% of all leaksSource #2
Rubber/neoprene boots around vent pipes crack with UV exposure after 10–15 years. The most common single repair we perform — quick, inexpensive fix.
~30% of all leaksSource #3
Storm damage, age, and UV exposure crack, curl, or remove shingles entirely. Any missing shingle is an open door for water.
~15% of all leaksSource #4
Where two slopes meet, water volume is highest. Corroded, lifted, or improperly installed valley flashing fails under heavy rain and debris load.
~8% of all leaksSource #5
Failed curb flashing, degraded frame sealant, or condensation mistaken for a leak. Our inspection determines the exact cause before repair begins.
~5% of all leaksSource #6
Gutters backing up into the roofline, or ice dams forcing water under shingles at the eave. Common in northern climates during winter and spring thaw.
Climate-dependentSource #7
Ridge cap shingles take the most UV and wind exposure on the entire roof. Cracking or lifting ridge caps allow water entry at the highest, most exposed point.
Higher on older roofsSource #8
TPO, EPDM, and built-up roof membranes develop splits, punctures, and seam separations. Commercial and residential flat roofs require specialized repair techniques.
All flat roof typesMost roofers patch where the drip is. We trace the water path all the way back to where it enters — because that's the only fix that actually works.
Interior water path tracing
We map the interior stain pattern to estimate where water is running before it drips. A stain in the middle of your bedroom may indicate a source near the ridge or chimney — 10–20 feet away.
Attic inspection
We enter the attic and look for daylight, active drips, water stains on rafters, and wet insulation. Attic evidence narrows down the entry zone to within a few feet.
Most leaks identified hereExterior systematic inspection
We inspect every potential leak source in the identified zone: flashing at all penetrations, shingle condition, ridge cap, valley, and gutter system. High-resolution photos documented.
Water test if source is unclear
If the source isn't immediately obvious from inspection, we run a controlled water test — isolating each roof section with a hose to confirm exactly where water enters.
Used in ~10% of inspectionsWritten repair estimate — same visit
We deliver a written estimate for the specific repairs needed before we leave. No follow-up needed. You approve, we schedule and complete — typically within 1–3 days.
If we repair your leak and it returns within 3 years due to our workmanship, we come back and fix it at no charge. No runaround, no deductible, no rescheduling delay.
Most roof leak repairs are significantly less expensive than homeowners expect — especially when caught early. Here are typical ranges by repair type. All jobs start with a free written estimate.
| Repair Type | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Pipe boot / vent collar replacement | $200 – $550 |
| Simple flashing repair (1–2 locations) | $300 – $700 |
| Chimney flashing re-flash | $400 – $1,200 |
| Skylight re-flash | $350 – $900 |
| Ridge cap replacement (partial) | $300 – $900 |
| Valley flashing replacement | $500 – $1,600 |
| Shingle repair / section replacement | $300 – $1,500 |
| Eave / ice dam repair | $400 – $1,800 |
| Flat roof membrane patch | $400 – $2,000 |
| Multiple leak sources (comprehensive) | $800 – $3,500 |
Understanding the variables helps set realistic expectations.
"I had three different roofers out over two years. All three patched the shingles where the stain was on my ceiling and all three leaks came back. RoofRepair.co found a failed pipe boot collar on the opposite side of the roof — 18 feet from where the water was dripping. Fixed in one visit. Dry for two years now."
"The water stain above our fireplace was obvious but the cause wasn't. RoofRepair.co's contractor found failing step flashing and a clogged cricket (saddle) behind the chimney backing up water. Completely rebuilt the chimney flashing system. Professional, fast, and finally dry after four winters."
"In Seattle it rains all winter so we'd had a slow drip for months. Turned out we had two pipe boots failing AND a valley flashing issue. One previous roofer missed all of it. RoofRepair.co fixed everything in a single day. The thorough inspection report they gave us was worth the visit alone."
Free inspection from a licensed contractor in your city. We find the source and fix it right — the first time.