Where water gets a way in
Ceiling stains show where water arrived, not necessarily where it entered.
- Apron and step flashings
- Valleys and roof junctions
- Pipe and vent penetrations
- Loose or deteriorated fixings
- Sheet laps and cappings
- Gutter backflow at eaves
- Storm-driven entry points
- Previous repair interfaces
Inspect before sealing
01Map internal evidenceStains, timing, wind direction and roof spaces where safe.
02Read the exterior pathJunctions, laps, fall, flashings and penetrations.
03Define the smallest sound repairAnd identify when local repair is no longer responsible.
A repair scope should name the detail.
Useful: remove failed apron flashing, inspect substrate at junction, install purpose-formed replacement and record completion.
Not useful: “seal roof as required”.
When patching stops making sense
Widespread fastener failure, incompatible layers, extensive corrosion or repeated unrelated leak points can shift the decision toward staged or complete replacement. The inspection file should make that boundary clear.