Leaks that only show in bad weather

Roof Leaks Only in Heavy Rain in Oldham

A roof that stays dry in light rain but leaks in a downpour is giving you a useful clue about the fault.

Damaged slate roof with several slates missing and the underlay exposed.
A small defect in an older slate roof can let in a surprising amount of water.

Capacity problems

Valleys, gutters and outlets may cope with ordinary rainfall but overflow when the volume increases. Blockages, poor falls and narrow outlets matter more in those conditions.

Wind-driven rain

Strong wind can push water sideways under laps and around flashings that appear sound in vertical rain. Exposed roof edges and wall junctions are worth checking closely.

Low-pitched coverings

Where tiles or slates are used near their minimum pitch, heavy weather can expose weaknesses in lap and underlay details. This is particularly relevant on some extensions and porches.

Describe the conditions

When arranging an inspection, say that the leak is weather-dependent. “Only in heavy rain from the west” is far more useful than “roof leaks sometimes”.