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Leak tracing and repair
Finding where the water is really getting in, which is often not where the stain is, and fixing that point rather than guessing.
in short
AltHome traces roof leaks across Kerry, Cork and Limerick to where the water actually enters, which is often a metre or two from the ceiling stain. We follow the water marks in the attic, check what sits above that point, and water test section by section when it is unclear, then repair the cause. Most leaks are traced and repaired the same week, with photos.
what decides it
The stain is rarely under the hole
Water enters a roof at one point and then travels. It runs down the underside of the felt, along a rafter, across the top of a ceiling, and drips wherever it finds a low spot, which can be a metre or two from where it got in. That is why so many roof repairs fail: someone replaces the slates above the stain and the leak carries on. We work backwards from the stain. From inside the attic we follow the water marks on the timber and felt to the highest point they reach. Outside, we look at what sits above that point: a slipped or cracked slate, a gap in the ridge, a flashing lifted at a chimney or a wall, a split valley, a failed skylight seal, a gutter backing up under the eaves. When it is still unclear, we test it, running water onto one area of the roof at a time until the leak shows inside, starting low and working up so we know exactly which section is at fault. Some leaks are not rain at all. Condensation in a poorly ventilated attic drips in cold weather and looks exactly like a leak, and so does a bathroom fan venting into the loft. Those need ventilation, not roofing. Once the cause is certain, we repair that point properly and tell you what else we saw while we were up there.
When it is coming through now
If water is coming through a ceiling right now, switch off the electrics to that area if the water is near lights or sockets, catch it in a bucket and ring us. We cover the affected area to stop more water getting in, and come back to trace and repair it properly once it is safe and dry.
the work
What is included in roof leak tracing?
- Follow the water marks in the attic to the highest point they reach.
- Check the roof above that point: slates, ridge, flashings, valleys and skylights.
- Water test section by section when the cause is not obvious.
- Rule out condensation and fans venting into the loft.
- Repair the point where the water actually gets in.
- Photograph the cause and the repair, and note anything else worth watching.
4 steps
How long does it take to trace and repair a roof leak?
You get in touch
Tell us where the stain is and when it appears: heavy rain, wind from one direction, or cold weather. We answer the same day.
We trace it
Attic first, then the roof, then a water test if needed. You get photos of what we find.
We repair it
Once the cause is clear, the repair is usually done on the same visit.
You sign it off
We can check again after the next heavy rain if you want, and leave the guarantee in writing.
next door
What goes around it
Once the leak is found, the fix is usually one of these.
asked
Leak tracing and repair: common questions
Why does my roof only leak in certain weather?
Leaks that only appear with wind from one direction are usually flashings, ridges or verges being driven open. Leaks only in cold weather are often condensation, not rain. The pattern is a strong clue, so tell us when it happens.
Can you find a leak without taking the roof apart?
Usually, yes. Tracing from inside the attic and water testing outside finds most leaks without stripping anything.
Is it definitely the roof?
Not always. Chimneys, gutters, windows, cavity walls and plumbing can all put water on a ceiling. We rule those out as part of tracing it.
How much does it cost to find a roof leak?
Tracing is usually part of the repair visit. Where water testing or scaffold is needed to find it, we tell you before we start. The repair itself is priced once the cause is known, not guessed.
Can a roof leak be caused by condensation?
Yes. Drips in a cold attic after frosty nights, with no rain, are often condensation from warm moist air leaking into the roof space. It is fixed with ventilation and a sealed hatch, not roof repairs.
quote
Get a fixed quote for leak tracing
Tell us the address and where the water is showing. We work across Kerry, Cork and Limerick. We ring you back within one working day.
085 220 1422 · info@althome.ie
Written by the AltHome crew. Last reviewed September 2026.