What should you do if you have a roof leak in San Antonio?
If you notice signs of a roof leak, act fast—schedule a professional inspection, check for interior and exterior signs of damage, and avoid delaying repairs to protect your home and insurance coverage.
Faced with a Roof Leak? Here’s What Homeowners Should Do Next
Roofs can be damaged in a variety of ways, but a roof leak is the classic example. Here in San Antonio, a roof leak is an especially urgent problem to repair as our frequent storms mean even a small vulnerability is likely to worsen—fast.
Our storm restoration specialists at Dolan Roofing & Construction are experts when it comes to identifying and resolving roof leaks. Here’s how homeowners can identify a leak, as well as why it’s necessary to respond quickly when your roof has been compromised.
How to Tell If You Have a Roof Leak
Roof leaks can be subtle or they can be obvious—but if you know how to spot a roof leak, you’ll be able to repair it quickly and minimize damage to your home. Here are some of the major signs of a roof leak that can be spotted both inside and outside your home.
Interior Signs
A roof leak means that water has penetrated through your roof and begun to enter your home. That leads to many issues inside your home that can be readily identified, such as:
- Water dripping from ceilings
- Stains on the ceiling or walls
- Peeling paint
- Mold, moisture, or mildew in your attic
Exterior Signs
Roof leaks become obvious once they’ve gotten serious—after all, it’s hard to ignore water dripping on your head. But there are several exterior signs that can indicate a roof leak has developed or is developing, including:
- Dark areas of your roof where water has soaked in
- Missing, curling, or buckling shingles giving water the opportunity to penetrate
- Asphalt granule loss
When to Repair vs. When to Replace Your Roof
While roof repairs are often an effective solution for roofing problems, there are times when a roof replacement simply makes more sense. This generally occurs when the cost of a repair isn’t worth the short-term benefits.
You’ll likely be able to repair your roof if:
- Damage is relatively minor or isolated
- Your roof is only a few years old
- Repairs are likely to last for a long time
On the other hand, consider a roof replacement if:
- Damage to your roof is widespread, structural, or both
- Your roof has reached the end of its expected lifespan (typically 20 years or older)
- Roofing issues are becoming more frequent
- The cost of a roof repair approaches the cost of a replacement
Why You Should Never Delay a Roof Leak Repair
Whether your roof needs to be repaired or replaced, the last thing you should do is delay addressing known roofing issues—especially a leak. While it may seem like you can save money by doing so, the risks are significant, and the cost of neglect can be truly steep. There are several reasons for this.
Roof Damage Gets Worse Over Time
Damage to your roof will not get better on its own—and in fact it will almost always get worse.
Even a small leak indicates a significant vulnerability. If left unchecked, the leak will worsen, moisture will accumulate, and you’ll experience potential rotting in your roof decking or mold and mildew in your attic.
Fixing these types of problems can be very involved, and in some cases may require a full roof replacement to adequately address.
Repairs Are More Affordable Than You Think
Compared to the expense involved in replacing rotting roof decking, resolving attic moisture issues, and repairing extensive moisture damage throughout your roof, making a repair to address the original problem can be very simple, straightforward, and comparatively cheap.
In order to identify such problems early on, it’s crucial to schedule regular roof inspections—and act on their findings if damage is uncovered.
Insurance May Not Cover Neglected Damage
But wait, you might be thinking. I have insurance, and my roof is covered by a warranty. Why pay for a roof repair if the roof replacement will be covered?
In reality, if you neglect to repair roof damage, it probably won’t be covered. Neglect voids many protections on your roof. Insurance companies won’t cover a full replacement caused by compounding issues from known damage.
Learn more from this home insurance guide from the Texas Department of Insurance.
How to Choose a Roof Leak Repair Company in San Antonio
The quality of your roof leak repair will depend on the company you work with. Here are a few key things to consider when evaluating roofing companies in San Antonio:
- Licensing and Insurance – Make sure the company is properly licensed and insured to protect yourself from liability.
- Local Presence – Choose a company with a strong local presence and a physical address in your area. This ensures they’re familiar with local codes and more accessible for follow-up service.
- Experience – Look for a company with several years of proven experience in roof repair and storm restoration.
- Reviews and Ratings – Check online reviews to see what past customers are saying—or get references, if possible.
Schedule a Roof Leak Repair in San Antonio Today
As a family-owned company, our team at Dolan Roofing & Construction understands just how frustrating it is to experience a roof leak. We offer prompt, thorough diagnostic inspections and reliable repair solutions that treat the problem at its source—ensuring your leak is fully resolved and your family is kept safe and dry.
If you’ve noticed signs of a roof leak, schedule a free roof inspection from our team today!
