A new roof leaking is one of the most frustrating problems a homeowner can face. You paid for the job, the crew left, and now there is a stain on the ceiling. The first questions are always the same: why is it leaking, and whose job is it to fix it?
This guide covers the usual reasons a newly installed roof leaks, how to tell a roof leak from a look-alike, what your contract and warranties are likely to cover, and how to raise the problem so it gets fixed. It does not give legal advice, and it does not ask you to go on the roof.
Why would a brand-new roof leak?
Most leaks in a new roof come from installation details, not the shingles themselves. Flashing at chimneys, walls, skylights and pipes, valleys, and the edges of the roof are the usual weak points. Sometimes the leak is not the roof at all, but equipment in the attic that the work disturbed.
The National Roofing Contractors Association says in its homeowner guidance that leaks can result from flashings that have come loose or from a damaged section of roof. It also says a complete roof system failure generally results from improper installation, the wrong choice of materials, or an installation that is inappropriate for the building. Good materials do not make up for poor workmanship, a point NRCA makes directly.
Common installation-related causes include:
- Flashing not replaced or not sealed. Old flashing reused around a chimney or wall, or new flashing installed without proper overlap. Our guide to roof flashing leaks at chimneys, skylights, walls and pipe boots shows where each one fails.
- Pipe boots and vents. A boot not seated or a vent cap left loose.
- Valleys. Where two slopes meet, water volume is highest and errors show first.
- Nails. Fasteners placed in the wrong spot or driven crooked can leave a path for water.
- Shingles not yet sealed. Self-sealing strips need warmth to bond. More on this below.
Is the leak really coming from the new roof?
Not always. Re-roofing involves crews in the attic, vents being moved, and heavy equipment on the deck. A disconnected bath fan duct, a knocked air conditioning drain line or a loosened vent pipe can all wet a ceiling and look like a new roof leak. Confirm the pattern before you assign blame.
Start with timing. A roof leak appears during or after rain. A stain that grows in dry weather, on hot afternoons, or after showers is probably condensation or plumbing.
Next, look from the attic hatch with a flashlight. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association suggests checking the underside of the roof deck and rafters for stains or wet spots that indicate water leaks. Wet decking above the stain after rain points to the roof. A full drain pan under the air handler, or a duct hanging loose near a bathroom, points elsewhere.
The U.S. Department of Energy notes in its home ventilation guide that kitchen and bathroom vents should lead directly outside and never vent into the attic. If a bath fan duct was disconnected during the job, moist air dumped into the attic can condense and drip.
Either way, the roofer should hear about it. A duct knocked loose during the work is still part of the job.
Can a new roof leak because the shingles have not sealed yet?
Yes, in some conditions. Asphalt shingles have self-sealing strips that bond with heat. A roof installed in cold weather may not seal until warmer days arrive, and wind-driven rain can lift unsealed tabs. This is a known installation issue that the contractor should manage, not a homeowner fault.
NRCA’s guidance on cold-weather installation says the self-sealing strips will not seal or bond sufficiently in cold temperatures. It recommends hand-tabbing, which means applying small dabs of adhesive under the shingles, for homes in areas prone to high winds, until warmer weather lets the strips set.
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has found that sealant strength is a critical factor in resisting wind damage, particularly after hail. North Texas sees both. NOAA’s Storm Events Database lists 108 thunderstorm wind reports across the Plano area from 2016 to 2025.
If your roof went on in a cold month and leaked in the first windy storm, ask the contractor directly whether the shingles were hand-sealed and whether the sealant has set.
Who is responsible when a new roof leaks?
It depends on what caused the leak and what your documents say. Installation errors usually fall to the contractor under a workmanship warranty. Defects in the material itself fall under the manufacturer’s warranty. Storm damage after installation is usually an insurance matter. Your written contract and warranty decide the details.
NRCA describes the two warranties most homeowners receive:
| Manufacturer’s warranty | Contractor’s workmanship warranty | |
|---|---|---|
| Who provides it | The shingle or material maker | The roofing contractor |
| What it generally covers | Defects in the manufacture of the roof covering | Installation and related issues |
| Typical length | NRCA says 20 years to a lifetime | Many contractors offer one or two years; NRCA says there is no industry standard |
| What to keep | The certificate the contractor provides at completion | The written warranty, listing what is covered and what voids it |
The practical point: most leaks in a new roof are installation leaks, and those sit with the contractor’s workmanship warranty, not the shingle maker. That makes the length and wording of the workmanship warranty more important than the headline number on the shingle bundle.
NRCA also notes that shingle manufacturers’ warranties may make coverage conditional on meeting minimum ventilation requirements. If the job changed your attic vents, that detail can matter later.
This guide does not interpret Texas law. If a contractor disputes responsibility and the warranty does not settle it, talk to an attorney about your contract and your options.
What should your contract and warranty say?
A good contract names the work, the materials, the warranties and who pays for damage caused during the job. Read yours now, before you call, so you know what was promised. The details below come from federal consumer guidance and the roofing trade association.
The Federal Trade Commission’s guide to hiring a contractor says a contract should include information about warranties covering materials and workmanship, with the names and addresses of whoever is honouring them, plus the length of the warranty period and any limitations. Its sign-off checklist says to confirm you have written warranties for materials and workmanship before making the final payment.
NRCA’s list of what a roofing proposal should include covers:
- the roof covering type, manufacturer and colour
- the scope of work, including removal of the existing roof
- flashing work and ventilation work
- who is responsible for repairing interior finishes or landscaping damaged during the work
- the length of warranty and what is covered
NRCA answers one question that comes up after rain during a re-roof: when water gets in during the job, the contract should already contain language on who is responsible for damage resulting from the roofing work.
If your contract is silent on flashing, the line items for “flashing work” are worth asking about. A quote that said nothing about flashing may mean the old flashing was reused.
How should you report the leak so it gets fixed?
Report it in writing, quickly, with evidence. A dated message with photos gives the contractor what they need and gives you a record. Keep the tone factual. Most reputable contractors want to fix their own leaks, and a clear report makes that easier.
Follow this order:
- Protect the inside. Catch drips, move belongings and dry the area. The EPA says that if wet materials are dried within 24 to 48 hours, mold will not grow in most cases.
- Document it. Photograph the stain with a date, the attic view from the hatch, and any wet insulation. Note the weather when it appeared.
- Find your paperwork. Contract, invoice, workmanship warranty, manufacturer’s certificate and permit, if one was issued.
- Notify the contractor in writing. Email or text keeps a timestamp. Describe what you saw, when, and attach photos. Ask for an inspection date.
- Keep a log. Record every call, visit and promise with dates.
- Escalate if needed. If the contractor does not respond in a reasonable time, contact the manufacturer about the material warranty, and consider getting an independent inspection. For a dispute that will not resolve, an attorney can advise you.
Do not go on the roof to look for the leak yourself. NRCA warns that people can severely injure themselves falling off or through a roof.
What role does the City of Plano play?
Plano requires contractors to register with the city to obtain a permit, and the permit record shows who pulled it. That record helps you identify the responsible contractor, but the city does not act as a warranty enforcer. Your contract and warranty remain the main tools for getting a leak fixed.
Plano’s Ordinance No. 2025-6-15 adopted the 2024 International Residential Code as the city’s residential code. Its amended section R105.3(B) says an applicant for a permit shall be registered as a contractor with the city. It also allows homeowners to pull permits for work at their own residence without registering.
That has two uses after a leak. First, check whether a permit was pulled and by whom. If a crew you hired did the work, the permit should show a registered contractor. Second, if the homeowner pulled the permit at the contractor’s request, ask why. The FTC lists a contractor who asks you to get the required permits as a sign of a possible scam.
For permit records and current requirements, contact the City of Plano’s Building Inspections department.
How do you avoid this on your next roof?
Most new-roof leak disputes start with a thin contract and a contractor chosen in a hurry. Pick a contractor you can verify, get a detailed written scope that names the flashing and ventilation work, and keep every warranty document. Those steps make leaks less likely and easier to resolve.
The FTC warns that scammers often knock on your door because they are “in the area”, pressure you for an immediate decision, or ask you to pay everything up front. After a hailstorm, those are exactly the conditions homeowners face. Our checklist for verifying a roofing contractor in Plano covers what to confirm before you sign.
A useful habit: before the final payment, ask the contractor to walk you through photos of the flashing, valleys and vents taken during the job. A contractor proud of the work usually has them.
If your new roof is leaking and you cannot get an answer, roof leak repair from Roofing Repair Plano starts with an inspection of the attic and roof to find the entry point. For the wider picture on damage and repair decisions, see our complete guide to roof damage in Plano.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for a new roof to leak?
No. A correctly installed roof should not leak in normal rain. A leak in the first months usually points to an installation detail such as flashing, a pipe boot, a valley or unsealed shingles. Document it with dated photos and notify the contractor in writing so it can be inspected and repaired.
Who pays to fix a leak after a roof replacement?
It depends on the cause and your documents. Installation errors usually fall under the contractor’s workmanship warranty, and material defects under the manufacturer’s warranty. Storm damage is usually an insurance matter. Read your written contract and warranty first, and talk to an attorney if the contractor disputes responsibility.
What does a workmanship warranty cover on a roof?
NRCA says a workmanship warranty typically covers installation and related issues, and should state what is covered and what voids it. Many contractors offer one or two years, but there is no industry standard. Ask for it in writing before the job and keep a copy with your contract.
Can a new roof leak because shingles have not sealed?
Yes. Self-sealing strips need warmth to bond, and NRCA says they will not seal sufficiently in cold temperatures. Wind can lift unsealed tabs and let rain in. NRCA recommends hand-sealing in windy areas, so ask your contractor whether that was done on a cold-weather installation.
What should I do first when my new roof leaks?
Protect the room by catching drips and drying the area, since the EPA says drying within 24 to 48 hours usually prevents mold. Then photograph the stain and the attic view, find your contract and warranty, and notify the contractor in writing. Do not climb onto the roof yourself.
