A leak is a symptom. On a newer roof it usually points to one failed detail. On an old roof it often points to a stack that is wearing out in many places. We take repair requests and replacement requests alike.
While the leak is active
Move valuables, put a bucket under the drip, and call us; if water reaches lights or outlets, stay clear and switch off power at the panel only if it is safe to reach.
Take dated photos of the stain, the ceiling and whatever got wet. Note when it rains and when it does not leak.
Finding the source
Water travels along the underlayment and the rafters before it drips. The ceiling stain can be some distance from the opening. The usual suspects are flashing at walls, chimneys and skylights, pipe boots, valleys, failed seams and tile or shingle breaks.
A roofer traces it from the top down: the covering, the underlayment, the deck and then the attic. A water test with a hose, run in sections, shows which area leaks. Attic checks show wet insulation, dark stains on the deck and daylight.
A good report names the source and the layer, and says whether it stands alone.
How urgent is it
Active water entry is urgent in the plain sense that it keeps wetting insulation, the deck and the framing, and every storm adds to it. Rain in Los Angeles comes mainly from November to March, with about 12.42 of 14.25 inches falling in those months, so a leak found in autumn has a short window before the wet season.
If the leak is minor and the roof is otherwise sound, a repair can wait for a scheduled visit. If water is entering in several places, the case for replacement strengthens, and the sooner a scope is written, the more control you have over timing.
Insurance and what the leak means
Your policy and your insurer decide what applies. We do not handle claims.
If the leak is one detail on a sound roof, repair makes sense. If the covering is brittle, the underlayment is dry and cracked, or the leak has come back after earlier repairs, it points to replacement.
Request an assessment, and it will cover both so you can compare.
If you have a leak and a deadline, say so in the request. We can then sequence a temporary measure ahead of the full scope.
Roof leak questions
How much should a roof leak repair cost?
Cost depends on the source, access and whether the deck is damaged. Ask for a written scope and compare two or three.
How urgent is roof repair?
Active water entry should be dealt with quickly, since each rain wets the insulation, deck and framing. In Los Angeles, about 87 percent of yearly rain falls from November to March.
Will insurance fix a roof leak?
Read your policy and ask your insurer.