A roof leak is the one roofing problem that cannot wait. Water in the ceiling soaks insulation, stains linings, rots timber and can reach light fittings. The sooner the source is found and sealed, the less damage there is to fix inside.
Leaks are also the roofing job most often done badly. Water travels along purlins, rafters and underlay before it drips, so the stain on the ceiling can be a metre or more from where it gets in. A patch over the obvious spot often fails at the next downpour. We find the entry point first, then fix it. For general roof maintenance and non-urgent problems, see our roof repairs page.
Pricing: every roof gets a free on-site measure and an itemised written quote, with a fixed price agreed before any work starts.
Damage you can see but no leak yet, such as loose sheets or cracked tiles? That is covered under roof repairs.
What to do right now if your roof is leaking
Do not go up on the roof yourself, especially in wet or windy weather. Roofs are slippery, and WorkSafe's guidance on working at height exists because falls from roofs cause serious injuries. Inside the house you can limit the damage safely.
- Put a bucket or container under the drip, with a towel inside to stop splashing
- If the ceiling is bulging with water, keep clear and turn off power to that area at the switchboard
- Move furniture, electronics and rugs away from the leak
- Take photos of the stain and any damage for your insurer
- Check whether spouting near the leak is overflowing, as that is a common cause
- Call us with your address and where the leak is showing
Where roof leaks usually come from
Most leaks come from the details rather than the middle of a sheet. Flashings are the most common culprit: where the roof meets a wall, chimney, skylight or another roof plane, the joint depends on a correctly shaped and lapped flashing, and those wear, lift or were sometimes never right. Penetrations for flues, vents and pipes are next, where sealing boots perish in the sun.
Then come fixings that have lost their washers or rusted, corrosion at sheet laps and eaves, cracked or slipped tiles, blocked valleys and overflowing spouting or internal gutters. Wind-driven rain can push water up and under flashings that cope fine with ordinary rain, which is why some leaks only show in a southerly or a big easterly. Our roof flashing repairs page explains those details further.
How It Works
Leak or condensation?
Not every wet ceiling is a leak. Condensation forms on the underside of roofing when warm, moist air from the house reaches a cold roof, and it can drip in a way that looks very like a leak. Signs it may be condensation include drips on cold, clear mornings rather than during rain, dampness spread widely across the roof space and mould on the underside of the roofing or timber.
The fix is different. Condensation is solved with underlay, ventilation and reducing moisture from bathrooms, kitchens and dryers getting into the ceiling. If that is what we find, our roof ventilation page covers the options.
How we trace and fix a leak
We start in the roof space where it is safe to do so, following water marks on timber and underlay back towards the source. On the roof we check every likely entry point above and uphill of the stain, not just directly above it. Where the source is not obvious, we may water test sections of the roof in a controlled way to confirm it.
If the weather means a permanent repair cannot be done straight away, we make the roof safe first with a temporary measure, then come back to finish the job properly. The permanent fix uses materials matched to your roof, and you get photos of the cause and the repair.
When a leak means more than a repair
One leak from a failed flashing is a repair. Several leaks in different places, leaks that keep coming back after repair, or rust that has gone right through the steel suggest the roof itself is at the end of its life. Building Code clause B2 sets a 15-year minimum for roof cladding, and older roofs can be well past that. If we think that is what is happening, we will show you why and price a repair and a replacement so you can decide. Our roof replacement guide covers the decision in detail.
Why Choose Cheeky's Roofers for Roof Leak Repairs
Source first
We follow the water back to where it gets in before fixing anything, so the repair holds.
Made safe, then fixed
If the weather will not allow a permanent repair, we secure the roof first and return to finish.
Photos for you and your insurer
You get photos of the cause and the fix, useful if you are making an insurance claim for internal damage.
No upselling
A leak is not a reason to sell you a new roof. We only recommend replacement when the evidence supports it.
Roof Leak Repairs FAQs
How quickly can you come out for a leak?
Active leaks are our priority over planned work. Call us and we will give you a time based on the weather and how much water is coming in.
Why is the stain not where the leak is?
Water runs along purlins, rafters and underlay before dripping onto the ceiling, so the entry point is usually uphill of the stain and sometimes well away from it.
My roof only leaks in heavy wind. Why?
Wind-driven rain can push water under flashings, laps and ridges that shed normal rain fine. These leaks need the detail fixed, not just sealant.
Will my insurance cover a roof leak?
That depends on your policy. Many policies treat sudden storm damage differently from gradual wear. Our photos and report help your insurer assess the claim.
Can you fix a leak in the rain?
We can usually make it safe in the rain, but permanent repairs need dry conditions to be done properly.
Could it be condensation instead?
Yes. Drips on cold, dry mornings and widespread dampness in the roof space point to condensation, which needs a different fix.
Roof Leak Repairs by Area
Local roof leak repairs information for your part of Auckland:
Related Roofing Services
Roof Leak Repairs Guides
- How Much Does a Skylight Cost to Install in NZ?
- Roof Leaking? How to Find the Source and What to Do First
See the re-roofing cost guide or every service we offer.