A new roof leaking in its first months almost always points to a detail, not the shingles: flashing that was reused or set wrong, a missed pipe boot, a nail driven in the wrong spot, or attic moisture that only looks like a leak. Document it carefully, contact the installer promptly, and don't let anyone patch it before it's diagnosed.
Water coming in now? Call Cannon Roofing at (940) 627-1045 — we answer 24/7 — or use our contact page for a non-urgent visit.
First, protect the house and the evidence
The first hour matters for two reasons: stopping damage inside, and keeping a clear record for whoever made the roof.
- Catch the water. Put a bucket under the drip and move furniture and electronics. If the ceiling is bulging, poke a small hole at the lowest point so it drains into the bucket instead of collapsing.
- Photograph everything. Take pictures of the stain, the drip and any wet insulation you can safely see from the attic hatch. Note the date, time and weather — heavy rain, wind direction, or no rain at all.
- Stay off the roof. Walking on a wet roof is dangerous, and your footprints can damage fresh shingles and muddy the diagnosis.
- Find your paperwork. Locate the contract, the invoice, any warranty documents and the manufacturer registration if one was done.
Why a new roof starts leaking: the usual culprits
Shingles themselves rarely fail in year one. The trouble is nearly always at the joints, edges and penetrations, where hand work matters most.
Flashing
Chimneys, sidewalls, dormers and skylights all need metal flashing woven in with the shingles. Reusing rusted flashing, skipping kick-out flashing at the bottom of a wall, or relying on caulk where metal belongs are common reasons a brand-new roof leaks at a wall.
Pipe boots and vents
Every plumbing vent, exhaust fan and roof vent needs a boot or flange lapped correctly — shingles over the top edge, under the bottom. A boot installed upside-down in the lap sequence can funnel water straight in.
Nails
Nails set too high, driven at an angle, overdriven through the mat, or left exposed will let water track down the shank. Nails placed below the manufacturer's nailing line are especially common on a rushed install, because the next course no longer covers them.
Ventilation and condensation
New roofs sometimes change how an attic breathes. If intake vents at the soffits are blocked, or a ridge vent was added without enough intake, warm damp air condenses on the underside of the deck and drips. That can look exactly like a leak, even on a dry day.
How to tell condensation from a true leak
Condensation tends to show up on cold mornings as frost or droplets spread across the deck and nail tips. A true leak follows rain and appears in one path, often near a wall, valley or penetration.
Who should fix it: the warranty question
Most roofs come with two kinds of protection. A manufacturer warranty covers defects in the shingles and other materials. A workmanship warranty, from the contractor, covers how the roof was put on. Nearly every leak on a new roof is a workmanship issue.
Call the original installer first
Contact the company that installed the roof in writing as well as by phone, and send your photos. Letting another contractor alter the work before the installer has a chance to inspect it can complicate warranty coverage. Our overview of how roofing warranties work explains the difference between the two types in more depth.
When you need a second opinion
If the installer doesn't respond, has gone out of business, or keeps "fixing" the same spot with sealant, it's reasonable to have an independent roofer inspect and write up what they find. That report gives you something concrete to take back to the installer or the manufacturer.
How we approach a leak on a recent install
When we're asked to look at a new roof leaking, we start in the attic to find where the water actually enters the deck, then trace it upslope outside. We'll show you photos of the cause and explain whether it's workmanship, materials or ventilation.
On roofs we install, Cannon Roofing stands behind the work with written warranties — you can read about them on our warranties page. Our crews are factory trained and every employee holds the Technician Seal of Safety, and we've been roofing Wise County and North Texas since 1994.
Leaks that aren't the roof at all
Not every drip after a reroof is roofing. Window leaks, a sweating HVAC line in the attic, or a plumbing vent pipe cracked inside the wall can all show up as a ceiling stain. A good inspection rules those out before anyone touches the shingles.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for a new roof to leak?
No. A properly installed roof shouldn't leak in its first years. When it does, the cause is almost always a specific installation detail that can be found and corrected.
Can I have a different roofer repair my new roof?
You can, but give the installer the first chance, in writing, if the roof is still under their workmanship warranty. Outside repairs can make warranty claims harder.
Why does my new roof leak only in wind-driven rain?
That usually points to flashing at walls, chimneys or edges, where sideways rain can get behind metal that isn't lapped correctly. Note the wind direction when it happens; it helps pinpoint the spot.
Have a leak on a newer roof and need an honest diagnosis? Call Cannon Roofing at (940) 627-1045, day or night. We'll trace the water to its source, document it with photos you can keep, and explain your options clearly. Prefer to write? Reach us through our contact page.