A roof leak rarely stays where it enters. Water follows the roof deck and the framing, then spreads through insulation before it reaches a ceiling, so the stain on the drywall is often well away from the damaged shingle or seam. The wet ceiling below is handled on the ceiling leak page.
Why winter is when leaks show
Hot, dry summers bake roofing materials and loosen seals, so the first heavy winter rain tests every weakness. A roofer repairs the opening, while the restoration crew deals with the wet insulation, ceiling and framing below it.
Tracing the water
The crew checks the attic, follows stains back to the source and reads moisture levels in the ceiling, walls and insulation. Wet insulation is removed because it holds water against the framing, and a stained ceiling is cut back only as far as needed.
