Wet spot in your attic after a storm? Here's what to do.
What to check, what to ignore, and when to call a pro. Roof repair insights from TruRoof, serving Fort Mitchell, KY.
You went up to the attic after that heavy rainstorm passed through Fort Mitchell and found a dark, wet patch on the plywood. You're not sure if it's been there for weeks or just happened. You know water can travel down from the roof, but you can't see where it's getting in.
That dark spot in your attic is a sign of a roof leak. Water enters through a small opening, like a lifted shingle, cracked flashing around a vent, or a worn pipe boot. It then travels downhill along the roof deck before soaking into the plywood. So the stain you see might be several feet below the actual entry point. Heavy rain forces water into places that light rain never touches. Even a small leak can cause wood rot and mold if left alone.
A leak repair can be simple or complex. If it's just a few missing shingles or a bad pipe boot, a pro can often fix it in a couple of hours. The cost usually starts around $300 to $600, depending on materials and how steep or high the roof is. If the decking is rotted, the repair becomes bigger. The plywood needs to be cut out and replaced. That might add a few hundred dollars and a day of work.
First, mark the wet spot with bright tape. Check the roof above it for missing shingles, cracked caulk, or rusted flashing. Don't climb up if it's steep or wet. In the attic, look for pinholes of light. If you see the likely entry point, call a pro. TruRoof offers free roof inspections in Fort Mitchell and can trace the leak. You'll get a clear plan and price before any work starts.
Once the leak is fixed, that attic stays dry even during the next big storm. The stained plywood dries out, and if it's not rotted, it can stay. You won't have to worry about mold or structural damage. You'll sleep better knowing your home is protected from water damage that only gets worse over time.
What people in Fort Mitchell say
"I'm reviewing my two new roofs, on my house and my garage, installed by TruRoof. The company, and Damon Chuke, their representative, helped me work with the insurance company, and with understanding all the details of the whole process. They took out an obsolete chimney, were on time and professional, and the finished roofs and flashing are beautiful. Many compliments from neighbors. Highly recommended by me."
"We have a beautiful condo in a historic building from the 1840s. Late November had a bad leak in the dining room area. I called Britt at TruRoof who came out and inspected the entire roof of the building. He said to do the entire roof could be around $50,000. But then he started laughing and said you need to caulk the area around one of the chimneys. I thought he was nuts, but I did the caulking, which cost me about 25 bucks worth of outdoor caulk, and there are no more leaks. I cannot express my appreciation for his diligence and his honesty. That kind of a company and a person is rare these days. Highly, highly, highly recommend these guys."
"TruRoof did an outstanding job from start to finish. Communication leading up to the start date was great. Once on site and the project started, everything went as discussed, and the crew was very professional."
Other things people in Fort Mitchell ask
water dripping from ceiling light fixture
Turn off the electricity to that room at the breaker. Place a bucket under the leak. Call for emergency roof repair right away. The roof needs a tarp and a permanent fix to stop water from getting into the wiring.
can you repair just part of a roof
A partial repair is normal when the rest of the roof has life left. An honest inspection tells you which one you need.
missing shingles after storm
Do not climb on the roof. Take photos from the ground. Call a roofing company that handles storm damage. They will check for hidden damage and help you decide if you need a repair or a full replacement.
how much does roof repair cost
Small repairs like replacing a few shingles or sealing flashing can cost $300 to $800. Bigger repairs with decking replacement run higher. Ask for a repair quote before committing to anything larger.
Ready to talk?
TruRoof handles roof repair in Fort Mitchell and the area around it.