Story Time: The Roof Leak That Wasn’t Really a Roof Leak
Jared Spicer, Licensed Construction Supervisor, Owner
As a general contractor based in Quincy, MA, with over two decades of experience, we’ve seen a lot — thousands of homes, countless renovations, and every issue you can imagine. One thing we see all too often? Improper flashing at key penetrations and transitions in the building envelope.
Take this story from one of our recent clients. They had been dealing with a persistent leak in their ceiling for years. What started as a small drip slowly grew into a large ceiling stain, and the homeowner was desperate to fix it. After hiring multiple roofing companies, each one replaced a few shingles here and there, patched up what they thought were small issues, and even replaced the roof entirely. But the leak never stopped.
Frustrated and out of options, the homeowner was referred to us by a friend who had dealt with similar problems that we successfully resolved. We didn’t just look at the roof. Instead, we took a closer look at the window above the roof, where we suspected the leak might be originating. We confidently explained that the water wasn’t coming from the roof at all — it was coming through faulty window flashing and trickling down the wall, mimicking a roof leak.
Though understandably skeptical, the homeowner decided to let us fix the issue. When we removed the trim and siding, we discovered extensive rot to the wall sheathing and framing below the window. The source of the leak was confirmed — faulty window flashing.
The homeowner was relieved but frustrated that multiple contractors had missed the true source of the problem. Sometimes, the most obvious fixes aren’t the solution. It takes the right knowledge and attention to detail to understand how different building components work together.
If you’re experiencing leaks or damage in your home, don’t let the wrong diagnosis keep you frustrated and stuck.
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