Look for Roof Leak Clues After Big Summer Storms

Roof leaks rarely announce themselves with dripping. They announce themselves with a faint brown ring on the ceiling that grows storm by storm, quietly rotting the deck and feeding mold in the attic.

The after-storm habit

• After any heavy rain, walk the house and look at every ceiling, especially below roof valleys, vents, and the chimney if you have one.
• A new stain, bubbling paint, or a musty smell in one room is a leak talking. Photograph it with the date — growth between storms tells the story.
• From the ground, look for shingles in the yard, lifted tabs, and sagging spots. Binoculars help. Roof walking is for roofers — it's slick, steep, and unforgiving.

Small leaks fixed early are patch money. The same leak ignored for a season becomes decking, insulation, and drywall money. Get a roofer's eyes on any stain that grows.