Signs That Your Roof Is Leaking During Seattle’s Rainy Season

Are you worried that your roof might not make it through the next rainy season in Seattle? Are you hoping to catch potential leaks before they escalate but unsure where to look and what to look for?

Seattle’s rainy season can be relentless, and if your roof has even the slightest vulnerability, you may be in for a serious problem. Catching roof leaks early is essential to preventing costly repairs and structural damage, but knowing where to look—and what exactly to look for—can be challenging.

As roofing contractors based in a wet, rainy climate, we at RoofSmart, are well-versed in identifying signs of leaks. We achieve this by thoroughly inspecting your roof and the surrounding areas to get the full picture and identify all the issues that your roof might have. This allows us to accurately and effectively determine where, how, and why your roof is leaking.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the common signs of roof leaks and how to identify them before they get out of hand. Whether it’s a subtle stain on the ceiling or something more hidden in your attic, here’s what you need to know to stay ahead of leaks during Seattle’s rainy season.

How can it be difficult to identify roof leaks right away?

Sometimes, your roof will leak for a while before you notice either because it took a long time for the water to collect and leave a stain or because the leak was hidden and found when you were looking for something else.

Unfortunately, signs of leaking are usually much more subtle and difficult to catch than you might imagine.

Often, when thinking of a roof leak, people think of water that is entering their living space. But, this is not always the case, especially not right away. Perhaps a more accurate word to use is “seepage” because the water is seeping in from outside, but it doesn’t always come through the ceiling or walls.

It can land on the floor of the attic, but it might evaporate somewhat with heat loss. The water has to collect for long enough to form a puddle and then leak or seep through to the ceiling. That’s a lot of water. It requires some sort of hole to travel down, such as a chimney or a vent in the roof

To help mitigate this issue and identify roof leaks as quickly as possible, make sure to inspect your home any time you suspect there might be a leak or any time that there was some sort of damage to your roof.

For example, if there was a windstorm, you’d want to check to make sure that none of your shingles blew off or were damaged by debris hitting the roof. Missing or damaged shingles can lead to leaks.

Where do I look for leaks in my roof?

There are many different places where your roof can leak, so you have to be vigilant about checking all over your ceilings and the surrounding areas, both inside and out. Here are the three main areas where evidence of leaks will appear:

• In your living spaces (on ceilings and walls)
• In the attic
• On the roof

Within these three areas, you will see evidence of different types of leaks, if they appear in your roof.

How do I identify leaks in my roof?

To identify roof leaks, you need to know where to look and what to look for. Two things you’ll notice are water stains and dripping water. This section will go over the various places you should check for leaks, categorized by the three main areas where leaks appear.

In your living spaces

• Around your chimney: This is a very common leak point. Look for staining on the ceiling or any spots that are dripping.
• Around bathroom vents: You’d want to look here for a leak because there’s a hole through the roof. Even if it’s supposed to be there, a hole in the roof is susceptible to leaking. It’s also a vulnerable spot where somebody could have made a mistake during installation. Look for dripping water or signs of staining.
• Above a window: If you have a vaulted ceiling, the water will run down the ceiling because it’s angled all the way to the wall and then drip down. So, you might notice staining above the window. Sometimes people think it’s the window that’s leaking rather than the ceiling.
• Light fixtures: If you have a flat ceiling, water can drip down through light fixtures and stain the area around them.

In the attic

• Water stains: These can be anywhere. Check the ceiling of the attic because that will likely be where water is coming from, but also check the floor of the attic. The wood will be stained, and perhaps even rotting.
• Drip marks on insulation: You can see drip marks on insulation because the water wears it down. Think of when an icicle is slowly dripping into the snow below it and leaving tiny holes. That’s what your insulation looks like when water drips on it.
• Rusty nails: It is not uncommon for nails to stick through the ceiling of your attic after the roof installation. Check the nails to see if any of them are rusty. The nails will only get rusty if water is leaking through the nail hole onto the nail.

Outside

If the roof is functioning properly, water will run down to the gutters and drain from there. Sometimes the water doesn’t make it to the gutter though. The gutters can also leak, but if you notice a leak before you get to the gutters, then it’s your roof that’s causing the problem.

What you’ll notice outside when there’s a leak is rotten wood. This can be a variety of wood types, including:

• Soffit
• Facia
• Rafter tails

None of those are supposed to be water-stained, so if you notice this it’s a clear indicator of a roof leak.

What happens if I don’t get the roof leak fixed?

If you don’t address a roof leak as soon as you notice it, your problems will continue to worsen. Leaks in the attic leave that area susceptible to mold growth, which is difficult and expensive to get rid of.

Also, your roof, ceiling, and walls are not designed to be wet on the inside. So, allowing them to rot and decay (even if it’s unintentional) from consistent leaking leaves these areas of your home vulnerable to pest infestation. Pests include rodents, ants that like to eat wood, and termites.

Because it’s so humid and consistently rainy in the Seattle area, you cannot rely on the hope that your leak will dry out on its own. There’s very little evaporation, so the water will sit there and soak into everything eventually.

So, during Seattle’s rainy season, you’re more likely to get leaks AND it’s more likely that they will cause more extensive damage than it would in a drier area.

What should I do if I notice that my roof is leaking?

If you feel confident that you can identify and fix the roof leak on your own, then that is a good solution for you.

If one or more of the following scenarios are true:

• You are not interested in fixing the leak yourself
• You are having trouble identifying the leak
• You want to make sure that all of the potential leaks and damage to your roof are found

then we’d recommend calling in a roofing contractor to inspect your roof.

Addressing Your Roof Leak: Next Steps

Spotting a roof leak early can save you from major headaches down the road, especially during Seattle’s wettest months. By keeping an eye on key areas in your home like your ceilings, attic, and exterior, you can catch leaks before they cause significant damage. Remember, neglecting a leak won’t make it go away—in fact, it’ll only lead to bigger problems like mold, rot, and even pest infestations.

If you’re confident in your ability to handle the leak, great! But if you’re unsure or want peace of mind, don’t hesitate to call a professional. Taking action as soon as possible is the best way to protect your home through Seattle’s rainy season.

Now that you know you have a leak, you might be wondering how much it will cost to repair it. To learn more about roof leak repair costs, check out our article “How Much Does It Cost to Repair A Roof Leak in the Greater Seattle Area?”.

Want to learn more about what’s happening in your roof that led to a leak? Read our article “What Causes A Roof To Leak?” to help you assess the situation.