Roof leak repair: finding it, fixing it, paying for it
Roof leak repair is the question on this page, and the ranges below tell you what is normal; a quote tells you what yours costs. Call (855) 812-6217 during business hours with your ZIP code and the words "roof leak repair", and we match the job with licensed roofers near you. Quotes cost nothing and you hire only if you want to.
Most roof leak repair jobs cost $395 to $1,967, Angi reports in 2026. The leak usually starts at flashing around a vent, chimney or dormer, not in the middle of the shingles.
Tom has a brown spot on his bedroom ceiling right under a plumbing vent. It grows after every storm.
Where roof leaks come from
This Old House says to check the flashing around vent pipes, dormers and slope changes first. The rubber boot on a plumbing vent cracks after about 12 years in the sun. Tom's stain under a vent fits that pattern.
Other common sources are chimney flashing, missing shingles, and nails that backed out. Read This Old House's leak guide.
Roof leak repair cost
| Repair | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Most roof repairs | $395 to $1,967 | Angi, 2026 |
| Chimney flashing | $150 to $500 | HomeAdvisor |
| Roofer, hourly | $45 to $75 | HomeAdvisor |
A pipe boot swap is at the low end because it is one part and one hour. Prices are from Angi and HomeAdvisor.
What to do tonight
- Put a bucket under the drip and move what you can out of the way.
- If the ceiling bulges, poke a small hole at the low point to drain it into the bucket.
- Take photos of the ceiling, the attic and the roof from the ground.
- Go into the attic with a flashlight and look uphill of the stain for wet wood.
- Call a roofer to tarp or fix it; do not climb a wet roof.
This Old House starts the same way: a bucket under the drip. Then find the source from the attic in daylight.
Who to call
A licensed local roofer, not a handyman, for anything on the roof itself. Use the call block below to reach one this week. If the leak is by the chimney, read our chimney flashing page.
If a storm caused it, call your insurer before the permanent fix. Our claim page covers what to photograph.
Questions people ask
What is the best way to fix a leaking roof?
Find the real entry point, which is often above and uphill of the stain. Replace the failed part, such as a pipe boot or a run of flashing, rather than smearing tar on top.
How much will it cost to repair a leaking roof?
Most roof repairs run $395 to $1,967, Angi reports. Flashing jobs often start near $150.
Is roof leak repair covered by insurance?
If a storm caused the leak, often yes. A slow leak from worn parts usually is not.
Roof leaks in heavy rain only?
That often points to flashing or a valley that floods when water runs fast. Wind-driven rain also gets under lifted shingles.
Sources
- This Old House, How to Repair a Roof Leak, checked October 2026
- Angi, How Much Does Roof Repair Cost? (2026), checked October 2026
- HomeAdvisor, Who Should I Hire to Fix Chimney Flashing?, checked October 2026
Last checked October 2026
What to do now
- Run the calculator with your own footprint, slope and material, and write down low, likely and high.
- Call (855) 812-6217 with your ZIP code and the likely number, or send the job below. The Roof Cost Guide team answers during business hours and matches it with licensed roofers near you.
- Compare three written quotes line by line against your band before you sign anything.
Talk to a local roofer
Roof leak repair is the question on this page, and the ranges below tell you what is normal; a quote tells you what yours costs. Call (855) 812-6217 during business hours with your ZIP code and the words "roof leak repair", and we match the job with licensed roofers near you. Quotes cost nothing and you hire only if you want to.
Call (855) 812-6217 Call (855) 812-6217Outside business hours, send the quote form and a roofer calls you back.
Three local quotes, one request
Send the roof leak repair job with your ZIP code, roof size and the material you want. Up to three licensed roofers near you quote the same job, and we send your details to them and no one else. Quotes cost nothing and you hire only if you want to.