Possible causes
- Slipped, cracked or missing tiles or slates
- Failed lead flashing around chimneys, walls or windows
- Blocked or worn valleys
- Perished underlay (felt) beneath the tiles
- Splits or failed joints on a flat roof
Warning signs
- Brown stains or bubbling paint on ceilings
- Damp or wet insulation in the loft
- Drips during or after rain
- Musty smell in upstairs rooms
Typical solutions
- Replacing or refixing damaged tiles and slates
- Renewing lead flashing or valley linings
- Repairing or replacing a section of flat roof covering
- Re-roofing where leaks come from several places
When to call a roofer
As soon as possible. Water travels along timbers before it drips, so the real cause is often some distance from the stain – it needs to be found on inspection.
This is general guidance. The cause of any roof problem can only be confirmed by inspecting the roof.