A stain on the ceiling is only where the water ended up, not where it came in. This is the order we work through when we inspect a leaking roof, inside and out.
When a roof leaks in a village-style street like those in Shirehampton, the first instinct is to look at the damp patch and blame the tiles above it. Water rarely behaves that simply. A proper inspection follows the water back from the ceiling to the opening, and that takes a methodical look at both the inside and the outside of the roof.
Starting indoors
We begin with the room where you noticed the problem, then go up into the loft. We look for wet or darkened timbers, damp insulation, drip marks and any daylight showing through the covering. Where the felt is stained, we note how far the staining runs, because that shows the path the water has taken before it reached your ceiling.
Following the water upwards
Water travels along rafters, battens and felt before it drips, so the entry point can sit well above or to one side of the stain. We trace the marks upwards and sideways until they stop. That gives us a small area of the roof to examine closely instead of guessing across a whole slope.
- Wet patches on the underside of the roof
- Rusted nail tips or dark rings on timber
- Insulation that is damp or compressed
- Gaps where light comes through
Looking at the covering outside
From the ground and then up close, we check for slipped, cracked or missing tiles or slates, lifted ridge and hip sections, and the state of verge edges. After storms, westerly wind in this part of Bristol can loosen coverings along exposed edges, so we pay particular attention to the windward side of the house.
Slipped tiles near the ridge or gable edge are common after a blustery spell, and they are easy to miss from the ground, which is why a closer look helps. We note anything we find and explain whether it is causing the leak you have or is simply another fault to put right while we are there.
Flashings, valleys and gutters
Many leaks start where the roof meets something else: a chimney, a wall, a dormer or a valley. Lead flashing that has lifted or split lets water behind it. We also check the gutter edge and the board beneath it, since a blocked or sagging gutter can push water back under the first course of tiles.
Explaining what we found
After the inspection we tell you in plain terms what is causing the leak, what the repair involves and whether anything else needs attention soon. We separate urgent faults from those that can wait. If more than one fault is present, you will hear about each one, so there are no surprises later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you find a leak when it is not raining?
Usually yes. The loft often shows staining, damp timbers and daylight even on a dry day, and the covering outside shows slipped or cracked pieces. Sometimes we use the pattern of marks to narrow it down to a small area.
Should I go onto the roof to look for the leak myself?
No. Stay on the ground or in the loft and note what you see, such as stains, drips and when they appear. Then call us for a proper look, because roof work is unsafe without the right access.
Is the stain on my ceiling right under the leak?
Rarely exactly. Water runs along timbers and felt and can drip some distance from where it entered. That is why we inspect the loft and trace the marks back, rather than repairing the tiles directly above the stain.
Talk to our team about roof repairs in Shirehampton
Every roof is different — the fastest way to get an accurate answer is a quick chat with our team.