Roofer lifting a damaged shingle to repair a roof leak

Shingle, metal & flat roofs

Roof Leak Repair in The Villages, FL

Roof leak repair with NB Roofs starts by tracing the water back to where it gets in, which is often not right above the stain. Then the cause is fixed, whether that is flashing, a pipe boot, a lifted shingle or worn sealant. NB Roofs is a State Certified Roofing Contractor (License CCC1328686) serving The Villages and Central Florida.

  • State Certified Contractor
  • Locally Owned
  • Financing

Roof leak assessment

Get help with a roof leak

State Certified Roofing Contractor, License #CCC1328686

What we do

Roof Leak Detection and Repair

NB Roofs finds the source of roof leaks, repairs the damage, and helps prevent new leaks on shingle, metal and flat roofs for homes in The Villages and across Central Florida.

  • Roofer checking the flashing where a shingle roof meets a wall

    Roof Leak Detection

    Water often travels along the roof deck or rafters before it shows up on a ceiling, so the stain is not always under the leak. NB Roofs inspects the shingles or roof covering, flashing, valleys, roof penetrations and underlayment to find where water is getting in.

    • Roof covering, flashing and valleys checked
    • Vents, pipes, chimneys and skylights checked
    • Findings explained before any work starts
    Request a leak inspection →
  • Roofer lifting damaged shingles to repair rotted roof decking

    Roof Leak Repair

    Once the source is found, NB Roofs repairs the cause, not just the stain: damaged or missing shingles, worn flashing, failed pipe boots and sealants, and damaged underlayment. If the decking is soft or wet, it is repaired so the fix holds.

    • Shingle, metal and flat roofs
    • Flashing, pipe boots and seals repaired
    • Clear advice on repair versus replacement
    Storm damage roof repair →
  • Roofer with a clipboard inspecting shingles near the roof edge

    Preventive Roof Maintenance

    Regular checks catch small problems before they turn into leaks. NB Roofs looks at the roof covering, checks the flashing and seals around roof penetrations, and points out gutters or drainage that need cleaning.

    • Roof covering condition checked
    • Flashing and seals around penetrations
    • Gutters and drainage noted
    Schedule a roof inspection →

What a leak inspection looks at

  • Roof covering: missing, cracked or lifted shingles, loose metal panels, or open seams on a flat roof.
  • Flashing and penetrations: chimneys, walls, vents, pipe boots and skylights.
  • Inside the attic: water stains, wet insulation and soft decking.

Before your leak inspection

Photos
Take photos of stains and drips, with the date
When it leaks
Note if it leaks in every rain or only in wind-driven storms
Where
Mark the stain and the room so the attic search starts in the right place
Attic access
Clear a path to the attic hatch or pull-down stairs
Recent work
Mention any new AC, solar, satellite or plumbing work on the roof

Common causes

What causes roof leaks in Florida?

The most common causes of roof leaks in Florida are wind-driven rain getting under lifted or torn shingles, worn or loose flashing at walls, chimneys and skylights, cracked pipe boots and dried-out sealant, clogged gutters and valleys that back water up, and roofing that the sun has aged until it cracks or stops sealing.

The stain is not always under the leakWater can run along the roof deck, rafters or pipes before it drips onto a ceiling. That is why NB Roofs traces a leak from the roof and the attic, not just from the stain inside.
  • Wind and heavy rain

    Strong wind can lift, crease or tear shingles, and heavy rain finds any opening it leaves behind.

  • Worn or loose flashing

    Flashing seals the joints around chimneys, walls, vents and skylights. When it loosens or corrodes, water gets in at those joints.

  • Cracked pipe boots and sealants

    The rubber boots and sealants around plumbing vents dry out and crack in the sun over time.

  • Clogged gutters and valleys

    Leaves and debris hold water in gutters and valleys, where it can back up under the roof edge.

  • Skylights

    Skylight leaks usually come from the flashing and curb around the skylight, not the glass. The seals around older skylights also dry out in the sun.

  • Sun-aged materials

    Years of strong Florida sun dry out roofing materials until they crack, curl or lose their seal.

Warning signs

What are the signs of a roof leak?

Common signs of a roof leak include water stains or bubbling paint on ceilings and walls, drips after rain, a musty smell, and damp or stained insulation in the attic. On the roof, look for missing or lifted shingles, loose flashing and open seams. A leak inspection finds where the water is getting in.

Signs inside the home

  • Brown or yellow water stains on ceilings or walls
  • Bubbling or peeling paint, or sagging drywall
  • Drips or damp spots after heavy rain
  • A musty smell in rooms below the roof

Signs in the attic and on the roof

  • Wet or stained insulation, or daylight through the roof boards
  • Dark stains or soft spots on the underside of the roof deck
  • Missing, lifted or creased shingles, or loose metal panels
  • Loose or rusted flashing around chimneys, walls and vents
  • Granules from shingles collecting in the gutters

Seeing any of these signs after a storm? Read about storm damage roof repair. Leaks keep coming back in different rooms? It may be time to look at roof replacement.

Finding the leak

How do you find a roof leak?

You find a roof leak by working backward from the stain. Water runs downhill along the roof deck, rafters and pipes before it drips, so the search starts in the attic above the stain and moves uphill until it reaches the opening in the roof.

  1. Measure from the stain

    Note how far the stain sits from an outside wall or another fixed point, so the same spot can be found in the attic.

  2. Follow the trail in the attic

    With a flashlight, look for wet wood, dark streaks and damp insulation, and follow them uphill along the rafters and deck.

  3. Look for daylight and nails

    Pinholes of daylight and rusty roofing nails coming through the deck point to the area above.

  4. Check the roof above

    A roofer then checks the flashing, pipe boots, vents, skylights and shingles directly above and upslope of that spot.

  5. Water test if needed

    When the source is still hidden, a hose is run on one small area at a time, starting low and working up, while someone watches inside.

  6. Repair the cause

    The opening is repaired, damaged decking is replaced, and the area is checked again in the next good rain.

Do not wait

Why should a roof leak be repaired quickly?

A roof leak should be repaired quickly because water that keeps getting in can damage the roof deck and framing, soak insulation, stain and weaken ceilings and walls, and lead to mold and mildew in Florida's humid climate. A small leak is usually easier to repair than the damage it causes over time.

  • Roof deck and framing

    Water that keeps getting in can soften the roof deck and damage the rafters and supports underneath.

  • Mold, insulation and ceilings

    Wet insulation stops working well, ceilings and walls stain and sag, and Florida humidity helps mold and mildew grow.

  • Lights, fans and wiring

    Water that reaches a ceiling light, fan or wiring is a safety risk. Turn off that circuit at the breaker and keep away from wet ceilings until the area is checked.

Why NB Roofs

Why call NB Roofs for a roof leak?

Nieves & Baker Roofing is a locally owned roofing company with its office in Leesburg, a short drive from The Villages.

  • State Certified Roofing Contractor

    Florida license #CCC1328686, which you can look up on the Florida DBPR license search.

  • Owners in the trade since 2000

    The owners have worked in the roofing trade since 2000, and the NB Roofs office was established in 2019.

  • Local office in Leesburg

    The office at 1014 W Dixie Ave serves The Villages and six Central Florida counties.

  • Repair or replace, explained

    When a repair will hold, the leak gets repaired. When the roof is worn out, you hear why and can compare roof replacement options.

  • Financing available

    Financing through Hearth can help spread out the cost of larger repairs or a new roof. View financing.

  • Shingle, metal and flat roofs

    NB Roofs repairs leaks on shingle, metal and flat roofs, and around solar attic fans and other roof vents.

Questions

Roof Leak Questions from The Villages Homeowners

  • What should I do if my roof is leaking right now?

    Move belongings away from the water, catch drips in a bucket, and keep away from wet ceilings and any lights or outlets near the water. If water is near a light or fan, turn that circuit off at the breaker. Do not climb onto a wet roof. Then call NB Roofs at (352) 269-2157.

  • Why does my roof leak only during heavy rain?

    A roof that leaks only in heavy or wind-driven rain usually has a small opening, such as loose flashing, a cracked pipe boot, a lifted shingle or a clogged valley or gutter. Light rain drains past it, but heavy rain or wind pushes water in. Noting which way the wind blew helps narrow the search.

  • Is it a roof leak or water from the air conditioner?

    Not every ceiling stain is a roof leak. In many Central Florida homes the air handler and ducts are in the attic, and a clogged condensate line or sweating ductwork can drip onto the ceiling on dry days. A stain that grows without rain points to the AC, so call an AC technician.

  • Can a leaking skylight be repaired without replacing it?

    Often, yes. Most skylight leaks come from the flashing and curb around the skylight, which can be resealed or reflashed. If the seal between the glass and frame has failed, which often shows as fogging between panes, the unit itself may need replacing.

  • How much does it cost to repair a roof leak?

    The cost of a roof leak repair depends on what is causing the leak, the roof type, how easy the area is to reach, and whether the decking, insulation or ceiling underneath is damaged. NB Roofs inspects the roof first and explains the repair and its price before any work starts.

  • Who repairs roof leaks in The Villages, FL?

    Nieves & Baker Roofing (NB Roofs) repairs roof leaks on shingle, metal and flat roofs in The Villages, FL and across Sumter, Lake, Marion, Citrus, Hernando and Levy counties. NB Roofs is a locally owned State Certified Roofing Contractor (License #CCC1328686). Call (352) 269-2157 to schedule a roof leak inspection.

Information on this page is provided by Nieves & Baker Roofing, LLC, State Certified Roofing Contractor, License #CCC1328686. Last updated:

Ready when you are

Talk with the NB Roofs Office

Call the us at (352) 269-2157, Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, or request a roof assessment online and the office will reach out to set a time.