A leaking roof doesn’t always mean you need a full replacement but fixing it the wrong way can turn a small problem into an expensive one. We dealt with this during a recent roof issue in Scranton, where the leak looked minor but had a few hidden causes.
How to identify the real source of the leak:
Look for water stains above where the drip appears inside
Check flashing around chimneys, vents, and valleys first
Inspect shingles for lifting, cracking, or missing nails
How we handled the repair:
Removed damaged shingles around the leak area
Replaced compromised underlayment
Installed new flashing where water was penetrating
Resealed surrounding shingles to prevent future entry
What people often do wrong:
Applying roof cement without fixing the underlying issue
Sealing from the inside instead of addressing the exterior
Ignoring flashing and focusing only on shingles
Why this matters:
Temporary fixes can hide leaks just long enough for moisture to damage decking and insulation. By the time the leak reappears, repairs cost much more.
Takeaway:
A roof leak is usually a system failure, not a single bad shingle. Fix the cause
not just the symptom.