Why Is My Roof Leaking?

Problem Guide

The short answer

Most roof leaks don't start in the open field of shingles — they start at a penetration or transition: flashing around a chimney or vent, a cracked pipe boot, a valley, or a spot where shingles have lifted. The water often travels along the decking before it drips inside, so the stain on your ceiling is rarely right under the actual hole. Finding the true source is the whole job. If it's actively dripping, call (302) 618-1471 — we'll find it and stop it.

The most common causes

• Failed flashing. Chimneys, skylights, and wall transitions are the #1 leak source. The metal or seal fails long before the shingles do — see flashing & chimney repair.
• Cracked pipe boots. The rubber collar around plumbing vents dries out and splits after ~10 years — a cheap, common culprit.
• Missing or lifted shingles. Wilmington's nor'easters and summer wind lift and tear shingles, exposing the underlayment.
• Clogged gutters & ice dams. Water backs up under the shingle edge in heavy rain or a winter freeze-thaw.
• Age. Past ~20 years, shingles get brittle and leak in multiple spots at once — at that point it's a repair-or-replace decision.

Is a roof leak an emergency?

An active drip during a storm is urgent — water gets into insulation, drywall, and wiring fast. Contain it: put a bucket down, move valuables, and if safe, poke a small hole in a bulging ceiling to drain the pooled water into the bucket (a bulge means water is collecting behind the drywall). Don't climb on a wet roof. Then call us.

What to do right now

• Contain the water inside and photograph everything (useful if you end up filing a claim).
• Don't try to seal it from on top of a wet or steep roof — it's dangerous and usually seals the wrong spot.
• Call for a roof inspection; we trace the leak to its real source and fix it, not just patch the stain.

Related Guides & Services

• Roof Repair Service
• Flashing & Chimney Repairs
• Roof Inspection

Or just call (302) 618-1471 — happy to answer questions before you commit.