Roof Leaks: Common Causes & What to Do

By the Orlando Roof Inspection team · Updated October 2026 · 8 min read

Most roof leaks don't start in the open field of shingles — they start where something penetrates the roof. Cracked pipe boots and failed flashing around chimneys, skylights, and valleys are the top culprits, with wind-damaged shingles and clogged gutters close behind. If you have a leak right now, the first moves are to contain the water, keep off the roof, and get it inspected — a temporary patch only buys time. Here's what causes leaks and exactly what to do.

1. Common causes of roof leaks

Roofers see the same handful of culprits again and again. Most are at the roof's weak points, not the middle of a shingle.

Age ties many of these together: on an older roof, several weak points tend to fail around the same time. Sources: Bill Ragan Roofing; Tidewater Roofing; flashing-failure references.

2. Why the leak isn't where you think

The spot on your ceiling is rarely directly below the hole in your roof. Water enters at a penetration, then runs along the roof decking and rafters until it finds a low point or a seam to drip through. That's why chasing the stain usually fails, and why an experienced inspector traces the water back to its true source from above and from the attic. If you only patch where it drips, the leak comes back.

3. What to do right now

If water is coming in, work through these steps in order:

1. Protect the room. Move furniture and valuables, and put a bucket under the drip with a towel to cut splashing.
2. Release a bulging ceiling. If the ceiling is sagging with trapped water, puncture the lowest point of the bulge with a screwdriver so it drains into a bucket in a controlled stream, rather than collapsing.
3. Cut the power. If water is near light fixtures or wiring, switch off power to that area at the breaker.
4. Document it. Photograph the damage before you clean up, and note the date — you'll want this for insurance.
5. Notify your insurer within 24–48 hours (check your policy). Our guide on whether insurance covers roof damage explains what's covered.
6. Stay off the roof. A wet or storm-damaged roof is dangerous. Leave the climb to a pro.

4. Temporary fixes (and their limits)

These buy you days or weeks until a proper repair — they are not the fix:

• Tarp the area (done by a pro or someone equipped to work safely), extending it at least four feet beyond the damage and over the ridge if possible. A tarp typically lasts 30–90 days.
• Roofing cement or self-adhesive roof tape on a small, accessible crack can hold for several months.
• Inside the attic, angle plastic sheeting to channel water into a bucket.

Every one of these manages the symptom. The roof surface still needs a real repair, or the leak returns and the hidden water damage keeps growing.

5. When to call a professional

Call a licensed roofer promptly — within about 48 hours — if any of these are true:

• Water is pouring in rather than dripping (a sign of bigger structural damage).
• The ceiling is sagging or water is pooling above it.
• Multiple areas are leaking at once.
• Debris or a tree limb hit the roof.
• You can't find the source — because water travels, the entry point may be far from the drip.
• You feel at all unsafe getting on a ladder. Don't.

For any roof leak, a professional roof inspection finds the true source, documents it for insurance, and tells you whether it's a simple repair or a sign of a bigger problem.

Sources

• Bill Ragan Roofing — The 7 Most Common Roof Leaks
• Tidewater Roofing — 10 Roof Problems That Lead to Leaks
• Volpe — Roof Leak Emergency Steps