Diagnose Home Repair Symptoms Room by Room

Symptom Guides · roofing

Ceiling Water Stain: Shingle Roof Leak

A ceiling water stain under an asphalt shingle roof means water penetrated the roof (usually through worn shingles or failed flashing) and traveled along framing before soaking the drywall. The leak source is often several feet from the stain.

Symptom Guides · roofing

Roof Ridge Suddenly Sagging?

A sudden sagging ridge on an asphalt shingle roof is usually caused by a structural failure below the surface (a cracked ridge board, loosened rafter ties, or rot from a hidden leak) or by excess weight from extra shingle layers or snow load.

Symptom Guides · roofing

Daylight in Attic: Shingle Roof Causes

Intermittent daylight in an attic means there's a small gap in your asphalt shingle roof deck, flashing, or around a penetration. It only shows at certain sun angles but is still an active leak path that needs sealing.

Symptom Guides · roofing

Chimney Leak Getting Worse? What's Wrong

A worsening leak at a chimney is almost always failed roof flashing: cracked sealant at the counterflashing, lifted step flashing, or a missing chimney cricket letting water pool and force its way in.

Symptom Guides · roofing

Rust Stains Near Roof Flashing

Rust stains at roof flashing in an older home mean the galvanized steel flashing or its fasteners are corroding after 20 to 40 years, thinning the metal and eventually letting water through.

Symptom Guides · roofing

Step Flashing Lifts in Heavy Rain

Lifted step flashing during heavy rain is almost always caused by loose nails, failed sealant, or step pieces that aren't properly overlapped, letting wind-driven water get behind the flashing along a roof-to-wall joint.

Symptom Guides · roofing

Downspout Disconnected in Winter

Your downspout disconnected in winter because ice buildup added weight, the cold made the metal or vinyl contract, or a frozen clog expanded and forced the joint apart. Reconnect it once it thaws and secure it with a self-tapping screw.

Symptom Guides · roofing

Flat Roof Ponding Water in Summer

Ponding water on a flat roof in summer usually means poor drainage from a clogged drain, a sagging deck, or insufficient slope. Standing water plus heat degrades the membrane fast, so it should be cleared and inspected within a couple of days.

Symptom Guides · roofing

Flat Roof Membrane Seam Separation

A flat roof membrane seam separates when the adhesive or heat weld holding two sheets together loses its bond, usually from bad installation, age, or thermal movement. It's an active leak path and should be sealed promptly.

Symptom Guides · roofing

Alligator Cracking on Flat Roof Membrane

Alligator cracking on a flat roof membrane means the surface coating or asphalt has dried out and lost flexibility from years of UV and heat exposure. It's usually a surface-level aging problem fixed by recoating, not an emergency, as long as the cracks haven't let water reach the layers below.

Symptom Guides · roofing

Granules in Gutters From Shingles?

Granules collect in gutters from normal shingle aging, storm impact, or a roof nearing the end of its life. Light loss on a new roof is normal; heavy or ongoing loss with visible bald spots means the shingles are failing.

Symptom Guides · roofing

Roof Leaks Only in Wind-Driven Rain

An asphalt shingle roof that leaks only in wind-driven rain usually has a gap that water can't reach in vertical rain but can when it's pushed sideways or uphill: lifted shingle tabs, failed flashing overlaps, or exposed nails. The wind direction points to the failed area.

Symptom Guides · roofing

Missing or Blown-Off Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles blow off when their self-seal adhesive strip fails, nails are set too high or overdriven, or the shingles are simply old and brittle. Wind exploits the weak bond and peels tabs back.

Symptom Guides · roofing

Chimney Flashing Leaks After Storms

Your chimney leaks after storms because the flashing where the chimney meets the roof has failed. Wind-driven rain gets behind loose counterflashing, cracked sealant, or improperly installed step flashing and runs into the attic.

Symptom Guides · roofing

Water Behind Gutter, Down the Fascia

Water runs behind a gutter mainly because the roof edge lacks a drip edge to direct runoff into the trough, or because a clogged gutter is overflowing backward. Both let water soak the fascia and soffit.

Symptom Guides · roofing

Downspout Dumping Water By Foundation

Your downspout dumps water next to the foundation because it lacks an extension, the extension is disconnected or damaged, or an underground drain line is clogged. Redirecting the water 4 to 6 feet from the house solves it in most cases.