Roof leak repair in Los Angeles
A stain on the ceiling is rarely straight below the hole in the roof. Water runs along the underlayment, the decking and the rafters before it drips, so the place it shows up can be several feet from where it gets in. Leak repair starts with finding that entry point. Then we fix the roofing there and replace any wood the water has already damaged.
- Service
- Roof leak repair
- Contractor
- LA General Builders, CSLB Lic #1044686
Why leaks are hard to find
Roofs are built to shed water, not to hold it out like a tank. Water gets past the top layer in small amounts all the time, and the underlayment and flashing carry it back out. A leak means that second line of defense has failed somewhere, and the failure is often small: a nail hole, a split in the underlayment, a piece of flashing lapped the wrong way.
That is why spreading sealant over the area near the stain so rarely works. The repair has to be made where the water enters. We take the time to find that point, show it to you in photos and fix it properly. If the water has been getting in for a while, we also replace the wood it has damaged.
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Water travels before it drips
It gets in high on the slope (1), runs down the wood and drips onto the ceiling lower down (2).
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Where leaks start
Chimney flashing (1), vent pipe boots (2), skylights (3) and the eave edge (4).
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Fixed at the source
We open the roof where the water enters, replace the failed layer and any wet wood, and close it up.
Signs of a roof leak
- Brown or yellow stains on a ceiling or at the top of a wall
- Paint that bubbles or peels near the ceiling line
- Dripping or damp spots during or just after rain
- A musty smell or damp insulation in the attic
- Dark streaks on the underside of the roof boards
- Water marks around a skylight, chimney or vent pipe
How the job runs
The same steps on every job, from the first look at the roof to the final inspection.
Hear what you have seen
Where the stain is, when it appears and how fast it grows all narrow down where the water is coming from.
Trace it from the attic
Where there is attic access, we follow the water marks on the wood back toward the point where they start.
Inspect the roof above
We check the usual entry points first: flashing, valleys, vent pipes, skylights and the places where a roof meets a wall.
Confirm the source
If the entry point is not obvious, we run water over one section at a time until the leak shows itself.
Repair the entry point
We open the roofing, replace failed underlayment and flashing, and rebuild the area so water is carried off the roof.
Replace damaged wood
Wet or rotted decking and framing are replaced under the same contract before the roof is closed up.
Where roofs leak most often
Most leaks start at a joint or an opening, not in the middle of an open slope.
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing at walls and chimneys | Leaks that show near a fireplace or along an interior wall | Metal flashing rusts, lifts or was never lapped correctly behind the stucco. |
| Pipe and vent boots | Stains near a bathroom, kitchen or water heater | The rubber collar around the pipe dries and cracks in the sun. |
| Valleys | Leaks where two roof slopes meet | Valleys carry the most water on the roof, and debris collects in them. |
| Skylights | Water marks on the skylight shaft or the ceiling around it | The flashing around the frame is the usual cause, more often than the glass. |
What sets the price
- How long it takes to find where the water gets in
- The type of roofing and how much has to be opened up
- Whether flashing has to be rebuilt or only resealed
- How much decking, framing or fascia the water has damaged
- Pitch, height and access to the area
Permits and inspections
A leak repair that replaces a small area of roofing often does not need a permit. If the repair grows into a larger section, we check the requirement with your building department and pull the permit when one is needed.
Questions homeowners ask
Why is the stain not under the leak?
Water follows the slope of the roof and the framing before it drips onto the ceiling. The entry point is usually uphill from the stain, sometimes by several feet.
What should I do while I wait for the repair?
Catch the water in a bucket, move furniture and electronics away from it, and take photos of the stain and the dripping. Stay off a wet roof.
Will sealant from the hardware store fix it?
Sealant can slow a leak for a while, but it cracks in the sun and hides the real cause. A lasting repair replaces the failed flashing or underlayment.
Do you repair the damage inside the house?
We replace the roof decking, framing and fascia the leak has damaged. Ask us about interior ceiling and drywall repair when we inspect, and we will tell you what we can include in the scope.
The roof only leaks in heavy rain. Is that still a problem?
Yes. A leak that only shows in heavy or wind-driven rain is still wetting the wood each time, and it tends to get worse.
Get a price for your roof
Tell us about the roof and we will call you to set up a visit. Or call now and talk to an estimator.
818-741-5451See a price range in about a minute
LA General Builders, 8728 Zelzah Ave, Northridge, CA 91325
CSLB Lic #1044686