The most common signs of a roof leak are water stains on ceilings or walls, peeling paint near the ceiling, a musty smell, and damp insulation in the attic. In Phoenix, many leaks only show up during monsoon storms, when wind drives rain under roofing that stays dry the rest of the year. Finding the source early keeps a small roof repair from turning into decking and ceiling damage.
What are the signs of a roof leak inside the house?
- Water stains on ceilings, often brown rings that grow after each storm.
- Peeling or bubbling paint near the ceiling or on upper walls.
- Musty smell in rooms or closets below the roof.
- Sagging drywall where water has collected above the ceiling.
- Dripping from light fixtures or AC vents during rain.
What are the signs of a roof leak in the attic?
- Damp or compressed insulation.
- Dark staining on rafters and the underside of the roof deck.
- Daylight visible through the deck.
- Mold or mildew on wood surfaces.
What are the signs of roof damage outside?
- Cracked, slipped or missing tiles.
- Curling, lifted or missing shingles, or granules piling in gutters.
- Worn or exposed foam on flat roofs, or water ponding after rain.
- Damaged flashing at walls, chimneys and skylights.
Where do roof leaks usually start?
The stain on your ceiling is rarely directly below the leak. Water travels along the deck and rafters first. On Phoenix roofs, leaks most often start at:
- Flashing at roof-to-wall joints, chimneys, skylights and valleys.
- Plumbing vent boots, whose rubber cracks from UV exposure.
- Tile underlayment that has worn out, which lets water through even when every tile looks fine. See our guide to tile underlayment replacement.
- AC stands and solar mounts, where fasteners penetrate the roof.
- Flat roof seams and low spots where water sits.
What should you do when you find a roof leak?
- Move belongings away and catch the water.
- Photograph the stain and any damage you can see.
- Check the attic, if it’s safe, to see how far the water has spread.
- Call a roofer to trace the source; don’t climb onto a wet roof.
- If the leak follows a storm, read our monsoon roof damage insurance guide before filing a claim.
Get the leak traced and fixed
A free roof inspection traces the leak to its source, with photos, and gives you a written estimate for the repair.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my roof is leaking?
Common signs are water stains on ceilings or walls, peeling paint, a musty smell, damp insulation in the attic, and daylight visible through the roof deck.
Why does my roof only leak during monsoon storms?
Monsoon storms bring wind-driven rain that gets under tiles and shingles and into gaps that normal rain doesn't reach. A leak that only appears in storms often points to worn underlayment or flashing.
Where do most roof leaks start?
Most leaks start at flashing around chimneys, skylights, walls and valleys, at plumbing vent boots, and, on tile roofs, through worn underlayment.
