A new roof shouldn’t leak. If you find your new roof leaking, stay calm. Most leaks on a new roof come from one spot and can be fixed. Here’s what to do.
1. Write down what you see
Note where the water shows up, when it started, and what the weather was doing. Check the attic if you can get there safely and look for wet wood or insulation. Leaks often start around skylights, chimneys, pipes and valleys. Look from the ground or inside only. Don’t climb on the roof.
2. Call the company that installed your roof
Call the person you worked with during the job. Give them everything you wrote down. The more details you share, the faster they can find the source.
3. Limit the water damage
Move furniture and belongings away from the leak. Put a bucket or towels down to catch drips.
4. Agree on a timeline
Finding a leak can take time. Water follows the easiest path, so it can travel along the underside of the roof before it shows up on your ceiling. Ask when they’ll come out and when the repair will be done.
5. Know your warranty
A new roof should come with a workmanship warranty from the installer. At Roof Recovery, residential workmanship warranties run from 5 years up to lifetime, and new roofs come with a lifetime warranty backed by Owens Corning. Keep your paperwork in one place so you can find it when you need it.
If your new roof keeps leaking and the installer won’t help
Sometimes the company that put on the roof is hard to reach or no longer in business. In that case, we can inspect the roof for free and show you photos of what we find. See our roof leak repair page. If the repair is approved, we tarp the leak for free until the work is done. Most smaller repairs are finished in one day.
Leaks can come from different places on shingle roofs and tile roofs, so it helps to know which one you have.
Related: Roof repair · Roof inspection · Roofing FAQs
Have a leak you need looked at? We’ll inspect your roof for free, take photos, and give you a written quote the same day. Call (916) 678-9786 or request a free inspection.
