A roof that still leaks after a repair usually has one of three problems: the real entry point was never found and the patch went right above the stain, the repair was only sealant or tar that failed, or there was a second leak all along. Water trapped in insulation can also keep dripping for a day or two after a good repair.
The most common reasons
The wrong spot was fixed
Water often enters several feet uphill from where it drips. A patch right above the stain misses the real opening. This is the most common reason we see.
Sealant instead of a repair
Caulk, tar and spray sealers can stop a drip for weeks or months, then crack in the heat. In Pine Bluff summers, that happens fast. See is caulk a permanent roof fix.
A second leak
Older roofs often have more than one weak spot. Fixing one lets the next one show up.
Trapped water
Wet insulation and drywall can keep dripping for a day or two after the leak is fixed. If the drip stops and does not return in the next rain, the repair worked.
It is not the roof
Condensation, an AC drain pan or plumbing can look exactly like a roof leak. See why a roof leaks when it is not raining.
What to do
- Note whether the leak happens during rain, after rain or with no rain at all.
- Mark the stain edge and date it so you can tell if it grows.
- Ask the roofer who did the repair what exactly they fixed, and for photos.
- Have the roof traced from the attic and water tested if needed.
How we avoid repeat visits
We find the entry point before fixing anything, fix that part the right way instead of sealing over it, and send before and after photos so you can see exactly what was done. If something is not the roof, we say so. See roof leak detection.
Questions to ask about the first repair
- Where on the roof was the repair made, and how far from the stain?
- Was a part replaced, or was sealant or tar added?
- Was the attic checked above the stain?
- Were other weak spots noted?
- Are there before and after photos?
The answers usually tell you right away whether the real source was found.
When a repeat leak means the roof is done
If leaks keep turning up in new places, the shingles are curled or bald, and the roof is 20 years old or more, repairs may just be buying time. That is the point where replacing the roof can cost less than a string of repairs. We tell you honestly which side of that line your roof is on. See repair or replace a leaking roof.
Keep a simple leak log
Write down the date, how much rain fell, which way the wind blew and where the water showed up. After two or three rains, a pattern usually appears that points to the source.
How long should I wait to see if a roof repair worked?
Through the next heavy rain. A little drip from wet insulation in the first day or two can be normal.
Should the first roofer fix it for free?
If their repair failed, many roofers will come back. Ask what they fixed and whether it is covered.
Can a leak move after a repair?
It can seem to, when a second weak spot starts leaking after the first is fixed.
Why did my patch fail so fast?
Sealant alone breaks down quickly in heat and sun, and it may have been over the wrong spot.