Why is my roof leaking when it rains?
Short answer. A roof leaks in the rain when water finds a path past the shingles, most often at a cracked pipe boot, failed flashing at a wall, chimney or skylight, a damaged or clogged valley, or missing or lifted shingles. The pattern of the leak, whether it happens in every rain, only in downpours, only with wind, or after the rain stops, narrows down which one.
Read the pattern
- Every rain, even light: an open path, such as a cracked pipe boot collar, a missing shingle, a nail hole, or a failed flashing piece.
- Only in heavy rain: water overrunning something that works at normal flow, such as a valley, the head flashing above a skylight or chimney, or gutters backing up under the roof edge.
- Only with wind from one direction: rain pushed under step flashing, ridge vents, or shingles that lost their seal, or through a wall or window on that side.
- Hours after the rain: water traveling a long way along rafters, soaking into insulation, or seeping slowly through masonry.
- Only since a storm: new storm damage, such as lifted shingles, hail or a limb strike.
The usual suspects on Georgia roofs
- Rubber pipe boot collars cracked by sun and heat.
- Chimney flashing sealed with caulk instead of counterflashing.
- Roof to wall joints with no kickout flashing.
- Valleys packed with pine needles and leaves.
- Shingles lifted by thunderstorm gusts.
Find it from the attic
Go up with a flashlight during or right after rain, if it is safe. Look for wet wood, drips and stains, then trace them uphill, since water often runs along a rafter before it drips. Measure from a wall or vent so the spot can be found from the roof.
Leaks that are not the roof
Drips on dry summer days are often the attic air handler's condensate line, and stains under bathrooms can be plumbing. See common roof leak causes and pipe boot leaks.