Dakwerk Services

A roof leak lets water penetrate your home, leading to mold growth, damaged insulation, and structural rot. Leaks often start small around flashing, vents, or worn shingles and worsen with each storm. A roofer can locate the entry point and perform a lasting repair.

Missing or damaged shingles expose the underlayment and decking to rain, wind, and UV damage. If left unrepaired, the exposed area can quickly develop leaks. A roofer can replace the missing shingles and inspect the surrounding area for hidden damage.

Clogged gutters prevent water from draining off the roof properly, causing overflow that can damage fascia boards, siding, and the foundation. Debris buildup also adds weight that can pull gutters away from the house. A roofer or gutter specialist can clean, repair, and secure your gutter system.

Ice dams form along the roof edge when snow melts from the warm upper roof and refreezes at the cold eaves. The trapped water backs up under shingles, causing leaks into attic spaces, walls, and ceilings. Left untreated, ice dams cause extensive water damage, rotting fascia boards, and mold growth. A roofer can safely remove ice dams, install ice-and-water shield membrane, and improve attic ventilation to prevent recurrence.

Gutters that overflow during rain are not directing water away from your foundation, which can lead to basement flooding, soil erosion, and foundation damage over time. The cause may be clogs from leaves and debris, sagging sections, undersized gutters, or damaged downspouts. A gutter specialist can clean, realign, or replace your gutter system to restore proper drainage and protect your home from water damage.

Leaks around roof vents, pipes, or flashing are one of the most common causes of roof leaks. Flashing — the thin metal strips that seal transitions between the roof and chimneys, vents, or walls — deteriorates over time from UV exposure, thermal cycling, and storms. Even a small gap lets water infiltrate into the attic and down through ceilings. A roofer can remove the old flashing, install new step or counter flashing, reseal vent boots, and verify there's no hidden water damage in the decking below.

Gutter sections that sag or pull away from the fascia board no longer channel water properly, causing overflow that erodes landscaping, stains siding, and can lead to foundation damage. Sagging is typically caused by loose or failed hangers, accumulated debris weight, ice damage, or rotted fascia. A roofer or gutter specialist can rehang the sections with properly spaced brackets, replace damaged hangers, repair fascia, and ensure correct slope for drainage.

Leaks at gutter joints and seams are the most common gutter failure. Sealant degrades over time, and thermal expansion widens gaps between sections. Leaking gutters pour water against the fascia, soffit, and foundation instead of channeling it away, causing rot and basement moisture. A gutter specialist can reseal joints, replace damaged sections, or install seamless gutters to eliminate joints entirely.

Moss thrives on north-facing or shaded roof surfaces where moisture lingers. While it looks harmless, moss roots work under shingle edges, lifting them and allowing water to penetrate the underlayment. Over time this leads to wood rot in the decking, leaks, and shortened roof lifespan. Pressure washing can damage shingles, so professional moss removal uses gentle chemical treatments, manual scraping, and zinc or copper strip installation to prevent regrowth. A roofer can assess the extent of damage, safely remove the moss, treat the surface, and recommend ongoing prevention.

Water entering around a chimney is one of the most common — and most damaging — roof leak sources. The leak usually originates from deteriorated flashing (the metal strips where the chimney meets the roof), a cracked chimney crown, damaged mortar joints, or a missing chimney cap. Because chimney leaks send water down hidden paths inside walls, the damage can progress for months before stains appear. A roofer handles flashing and roof-side repairs, while a mason addresses the chimney structure itself. Repair costs range from $200–$500 for reflashing to $1,000–$3,000 for crown and mortar rebuilds.

A leaking skylight can cause stained ceilings, rotted framing, mold growth, and damaged insulation if not addressed promptly. Not every drip is a true leak — condensation on the interior glass is common in winter when warm, humid indoor air meets the cold skylight surface, and it can look identical to a roof leak. A true leak usually appears during or shortly after rain and is caused by failed flashing around the skylight curb, dried or cracked sealant between the glass and frame, improperly installed step flashing where the skylight meets the shingles, or ice dams forcing water uphill under shingles. A roofer can diagnose the source with a water test. Re-sealing the skylight frame with appropriate roofing sealant costs $150–$400. Replacing deteriorated flashing around the curb — which requires removing surrounding shingles, installing new step and counter flashing, and re-shingling — runs $400–$1,200 depending on skylight size and roof pitch. If the skylight unit itself is cracked, fogged between panes, or over 20 years old, full replacement costs $800–$2,500 including the unit and installation. Deck-mounted skylights are easier to replace than curb-mounted ones. Adding a proper cricket (small diverter ridge) above a skylight on a low-slope section prevents future water pooling ($300–$600).

If water is still pooling on your flat roof 48 hours after the last rain, you have a ponding problem. Flat roofs are designed with a slight slope to drain, but sagging decking, clogged internal drains, or shifted insulation can create low spots where water sits. Prolonged ponding accelerates membrane deterioration, adds hundreds of pounds of dead load to the structure, and eventually causes leaks. A roofer can identify the cause — whether it's a drainage issue, structural deflection, or membrane failure — and restore proper drainage with tapered insulation, additional drains, or membrane repair.

Roof sheathing (the plywood or OSB boards nailed to the rafters beneath shingles) can rot when moisture becomes trapped — from a slow leak, poor attic ventilation, or ice dams pushing water under shingles. Soft, spongy spots on the roof surface, sagging between rafters visible from the attic, or dark water stains on sheathing boards are all signs of rot. A roofer can assess the extent of damage, replace affected sheathing panels ($70–$100 per sheet plus labor), and address the moisture source to prevent recurrence.