What to do when a new roof leaks after installation

What to do when a new roof leaks after installation

If a new roof leaks after installation, stop the interior damage first (buckets, tarps, moving belongings), then document everything with photos and video before you touch anything. Contact the roofing contractor in writing immediately, since most roofs are still under a workmanship warranty. If the leak causes damage or the contractor won't respond, notify your homeowners insurance carrier and consult a Florida attorney about your legal options.

A leak in a roof that was just installed is not a normal "wear and tear" problem. It almost always points to a defect: improperly sealed flashing, missing or torn underlayment, nail pops, poor ventilation, or a rushed job that skipped steps. Because the roof is new, the responsibility for fixing it usually falls on the contractor, the manufacturer, or both, not on you. How you respond in the first 48-72 hours can determine whether you get a full, no-cost repair or end up stuck arguing with an insurance company and a contractor who both point fingers at each other.

Step 1: Stop the damage and document everything

Before you call anyone, protect the interior of your home and preserve evidence.

• Contain the water. Place buckets or containers under active drips, and move furniture, electronics, and belongings out of the affected area.
• Photograph and video the leak from multiple angles, including the ceiling stain, the attic (if accessible), and any pooling water. Timestamp your phone's camera if possible.
• Do not go on the roof yourself. Walking a newly installed roof can void warranties and is dangerous, especially in wet conditions.
• Keep damaged materials. If drywall, insulation, or flooring has to be removed, don't discard it until the contractor, insurer, or an attorney has had a chance to see it or you've photographed it thoroughly.
• Track every expense, including any emergency tarping, water extraction, hotel stays, or repairs, and keep every receipt.

This documentation becomes the foundation of any warranty claim, insurance claim, or legal case that follows.

Step 2: Notify the roofing contractor in writing, immediately

Almost every legitimate roofing contract includes a workmanship warranty, typically separate from the manufacturer's warranty on the shingles or materials themselves. A leak within days, weeks, or months of installation is usually a workmanship issue, not a materials failure, which means the contractor is on the hook to fix it at no charge.

• Put the notice in writing (email or text, not just a phone call), so there's a timestamped record of when you reported the problem.
• Reference your contract and warranty terms. Most workmanship warranties require you to notify the contractor within a specific window, so don't sit on this.
• Request a specific timeline for inspection and repair. A reputable contractor should respond within a few business days for an active leak.
• Do not pay the final invoice or sign a completion/satisfaction form if you haven't already, until the leak is resolved. If you've already paid in full, that doesn't waive your rights under the warranty, but it does remove some leverage.

If the contractor is unresponsive, denies the problem is their fault, or tries to charge you for a "repair" to something they should have installed correctly the first time, that's a red flag worth escalating.

Step 3: Loop in your homeowners insurance company, carefully

Whether to file an insurance claim depends on the cause and extent of the damage:

• If the leak is purely a workmanship defect (bad flashing, missing nails, etc.) with no storm involved, this is generally a contractor liability issue, not something your homeowners policy is designed to cover, since most policies exclude faulty workmanship.
• If a storm, wind event, or other covered peril contributed to the leak, or if the leak caused secondary damage (mold, structural rot, damaged ceilings or floors), you may have a legitimate property insurance claim in addition to a contractor dispute.
• Report promptly. Florida law imposes strict deadlines for reporting property insurance claims, and delays can be used by insurers to deny coverage. Don't wait to "see if it gets worse."
• Be careful what you say to the insurance adjuster. Stick to facts: when the leak started, where, and what you've observed. Avoid speculating about cause or fault, that's for the adjuster and any experts to determine, and premature statements can be used against you later.
• Get everything in writing from the insurer too, including any denial, partial denial, or reservation-of-rights letter.

If your homeowners insurer denies the claim, undervalues it, or delays without explanation, that itself may be a bad-faith issue worth having an attorney review.

Step 4: Get an independent inspection

Don't rely solely on the original contractor's own assessment of their own work. A conflict of interest is obvious: the company that installed the roof has an incentive to minimize the scope and cost of the fix.

• Hire a licensed, independent roofing inspector or public adjuster to evaluate the entire roof, not just the leak point. Poor installation in one area often signals problems elsewhere (improper nailing patterns, wrong underlayment, inadequate ventilation).
• Ask for a written report describing the likely cause of the leak, whether it reflects a broader installation defect, and what corrective work is needed.
• Check the contractor's license and insurance with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) if you haven't already. An unlicensed or underinsured contractor changes your legal options significantly.

An independent report is often the single most persuasive piece of evidence when a contractor or their insurer tries to argue the leak was minor, unrelated to installation, or "normal."

Step 5: Know your rights if the contractor won't fix it properly

If the contractor refuses to repair the defect, does a poor "patch job" instead of a proper fix, or has gone out of business or become unreachable, you still have options:

• Workmanship warranty claim, if the contractor is still operating and licensed.
• Manufacturer's warranty, if the shingle or roofing system manufacturer requires certified installation, improper installation by a certified contractor can sometimes still trigger manufacturer responsibility or at least documentation you can use.
• Contractor's license bond or recovery fund claim through DBPR, which exists specifically to help homeowners recover losses caused by licensed contractors.
• A civil claim against the contractor for breach of contract, breach of warranty, or negligent construction, especially where repeated leaks, structural damage, or refusal to honor the warranty are involved.
• A first-party insurance dispute, if your insurer wrongly denied or lowballed a claim tied to storm damage, secondary water damage, or resulting mold.

A new-roof leak that gets dismissed, delayed, or mishandled by either the contractor or the insurer often escalates into a larger dispute involving structural damage, mold remediation, and disputed repair costs. That's exactly the kind of situation where an attorney experienced in property damage and contractor disputes can make a material difference, both in forcing a proper response and in valuing the claim correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How soon after a new roof installation should I be concerned about a leak? A: Any leak after a new roof installation is a concern, regardless of timing. A properly installed roof should not leak. Whether it happens after the first rain or several months later, it typically signals a workmanship defect, not normal wear, and should be reported to the contractor immediately.

Q: Is a leaking new roof covered by warranty? A: Most roofing contracts include a workmanship warranty covering installation defects, separate from the manufacturer's warranty on materials. A leak shortly after installation is usually a workmanship issue and should be covered at no cost to you, assuming you report it within the warranty's notice window.

Q: Will my homeowners insurance pay to fix a leak caused by bad roofing work? A: Generally, no. Homeowners policies typically exclude damage caused by faulty workmanship or defective installation, that liability falls on the contractor. However, if a storm or other covered peril contributed to the leak, or if the leak caused secondary damage like mold or rot, you may have a separate, legitimate insurance claim worth pursuing alongside the contractor dispute.

Q: What if the roofing contractor won't return my calls? A: Send written notice (email or certified mail) documenting the leak and your attempts to reach them, then consider filing a complaint with the Florida DBPR and having an independent inspector document the damage. An unresponsive contractor is a strong signal you may need legal help to force a resolution or pursue a claim against their license bond.

Q: Can I fix the leak myself while I wait for the contractor? A: You can and should take reasonable emergency measures, tarping, containing water, moving belongings, but avoid permanent repairs before the contractor, an independent inspector, or your insurer has documented the damage. Premature repairs can complicate warranty claims and insurance disputes by removing evidence of the defect.

Q: What damages can I recover if a new roof leak caused water damage inside my home? A: Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to recover the cost of the roof repair itself, interior repairs (drywall, flooring, ceilings), mold remediation, damaged personal property, and in some cases temporary housing costs. The available recovery depends on whether the claim goes through the contractor's warranty, their license bond, or an insurance policy.

Talk to a Florida Attorney

If your new roof is leaking and the contractor is stalling, denying responsibility, or doing shoddy patch work, or if your insurance company is disputing a related claim, you don't have to navigate it alone. Louis Law Group helps Florida homeowners hold contractors and insurers accountable for defective roofing work. See if you qualify for a free case review, or call (833) 657-4812 to speak with our team today.